The real cost of eating out inspires new ways of eating in
The drive through is a tempting place. It is brightly lit. There are deals everywhere. Furthermore, it’s a good bet this isn’t a random encounter. As is the case in almost every drive through, hunger is a driving force. Therefore, the chili fries with the extra cheesy nacho cheese, will be a part of dinner now. Budget? This is really no time to talk about the budget.
In fact, a decision has to be made. And quickly. The line in the drive-thru is building up. What about the super chili cheese fries and an extra side order of fried pickles? The cost will go down if there are only two cups of ranch dressing, instead of three. There we go. Save some dough. Now to decide between the fries and the pickles. It’s looking like both will be the preference.
However, it’s a good idea to save money wherever possible. Therefore, it’s the chili fries and the fried pickles. With just one extra cup of ranch. Forgot about the drink. Even a small sized drink will add to the overall cost. Sometimes by as much as three or four dollars. Better forget the ranch.
The Real Cost of Eating Out
The preview is more than a drama. In fact, it plays out the same no matter how many different drive-thru lines someone sits through. One moment eating out is closer than ever, and the next moment, a second mortgage is needed to clear the bill at the second window. Furthermore, there are additional concerns. For example, what if something is missing?
And if something is missing, will it be worth it to go back through the line again? That is a good question. It feels more and more like a home cooked meal is going to win the day. And the night. There are even ways to prepare specialty foods at home. Eating out isn’t the only way to have a good meal.
With this in mind, planning for meals at home just takes planning. Furthermore, it is also possible to save money by preparing food at home. For example, tacos. A trip through a drive through lane will produce tacos. And they may, or may not cost more than a small boat.
New Ways of Eating In
That is where saving money comes into play. For something like tacos, a small amount of ingredients at the grocery store can go a long way. In fact, it’s possible to save money compared to the cost of a drive through, or eating out in a dining room. Similarly, a small amount of planning will yield longer lasting meal choices, than using a drive through.
Much of this information is old school. Today’s grandparents are pros at stretching the budget in a grocery store. Avoiding the convenience of a drive through is also planning for more value from available resources. With just a small amount of planning less resources go to frivolous expenses. A win win every time. This topic will continue in future posts. Thanks for reading today.
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