By: Pat White
FT. LAUDERDALE – With the rising prices of groceries, we need to take another look at eating out these days. With the way many of us were brought up, we just take it for granted that we have to go home and cook every night. We do this out of habit without a second thought. And with a pot full of food on the stove, we go back for seconds and thirds and this contributes to the weight gain for many of us.
After picking up take-out two days in a row, I felt guilty and told the restaurant owner that I had to cook the next day because I picked up take out 2 days in a row. He told me its probably cheaper and easier to eat out or take out because of rising grocery prices, especially when you think about the time and labor spent cooking. Of course, he is expected to say these things because he wants to make sales; but I mull over this dilemma all the time, and wonder if we are saving by buying groceries and cooking. Of course it depends on the size of your household. If its just 2 of you in the household I definitely believe that its cheaper to eat out. With three in the household I think it could go either way. Nowadays when you go to the grocery store it’s so easy to fork out $50.00, even when you only went in for a few items. if you are really shopping, its easy to spend $60-$80.00. If its 4 or more in the household you have to really sit down and do the math to see if eating out is cheaper.
Now, I am not talking about dining out in a fancy restaurant, but reasonable take outs like a Chinese, or pollo tropical or a Jamaican restaurant. Think about the mental aspect as well; less stress from not having to labor in the kitchen. Also, you are not going back for seconds and thirds. While it is nice to treat yourself and yours to a fancy restaurant now and then, this is out of reach for many on a budget. However, there are reasonable sit downs and take outs that sometimes seem cheaper than grocery shopping and cooking. We should all take the time and do the math or find a happy medium like eating out 3 days and cooking 4 days or visa versa.
Bon A petit!!
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Pat White
Community Blog: Pat’s Pet Peeves Daily Blog. Sometimes Controversial – Sometimes Humorous – Always Thought Provoking.
