Why do so many people think eating out is a waste of money?

SlavOz on 07/11/2019 - 20:02
Last edited 08/11/2019 - 09:14 by 1 other user

Eating out is like the devil to financially savvy people. I can't believe how bad of a reputation its gotten, when in reality it hardly makes a difference to your finances. Here's the math on a hypothetical situation:

You can get a decent lunch deal for $10-15. I don't mean Maccas or any other fast food - I mean a freshly prepared chicken salad, or butter chicken, a few plates of sushi, or even some lamb tandoori. At an average of $13 a day for 5 days, you're out $65 a week for buying lunch.

Now subtract the total cost of 5 days worth of raw ingredients to make the meals yourself. You're looking at least $20. Factor in another $15 for electricity and water used for cooking/cleaning. To make your own lunch for those 5 days, you would spend around $35.

Congratulations - you're saving $30 a week by eating in. That's about the average person's full-time hourly wage. How long would it take you to prepare the meals yourself, heat them up, and clean up afterwards? Probably more than an hour.

For someone on hourly pay with a busy lifestyle, accounting for overtime rates, that extra hour could've been spent at work which would yield you at least $45. So accounting for time (which is just as valuable as money), you're almost better off buying your lunch if you can do it strategically.

Feel free to neg me if you own 7 houses by the age of 23 by giving up your avo on toast.

Food & Grocery

Comments

    • randomvis on 08/11/2019 - 20:51
      +8

      $65 doesn't make sense at all for two

      Meat?
      ~$2.5 per person per day (~100gr lean meat) = $45/week (2 people)

      Fruit?
      1 banana + 1 apple per person day = $0.7 + $0.5 pp/day = $8 / week

      Vegetables?
      Assuming similar $8/week

      Already the total is $61.

      Sooooo…. I can only assume that:
      1. you eat really terrible quality cheap meat or don't eat it at all.
      2. You are fasting to lose weight and are calorie restricting.
      3. You buy no condiments, sauces, herbs, other ingredients
      4. You buy no cereal
      5. You buy no junk food
      6. You are a farmer and you supplement your food with what you grow
      7. You visit family and friends a lot for a quick 'drop-in' near dinner time.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2019 - 02:24

        Or… you buy meat that is on sale?

        Is Coles pork shoulder (for example) at 7.5/Kg terrible meat? If we trim out the fat, lets call it 10/kg. Thats $28 for 200grams per day (20-30% pure protein per 100gram) for two people.

        From the local butcher, Chicken breast from the local butcher is 11/kg. Grass fed rump is 13/kg. Local Barramundi is 16/kg. Banana prawns is 17/kg on sale (not too much prawns though, got to watch the cholesterol), Salmon at 24/kg comes close to your price but we eat those not too often.

        Overall our meat costs about 16/kg on average. I've done about 60 per week for 2 when I was a student. Its doable, although I'll admit mine is a bit more expensive now because we're eating a bit fancier fruits and veg.

      • crawfs on 09/11/2019 - 09:20
        +2

        Where in the name of gods green earth are you paying $25/kg for meat? As a single person I pay about $30 for two weeks worth of meat and veggies

        • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 11:57
          -3

          Wild caught salmon (fed without antibiotics or coloured chemicals to improve appearance) is around $60/kg from most fish markets. Grass-feed scotch fillet steaks from Coles are about $35/kg. If you grew up on a farm eating real meat, this is the closest you can get to them.

          • Miss B on 10/11/2019 - 09:08
            +1

            @SlavOz: If you are getting that in the meals you eat out, you've got to be conservatively paying more than $20 per meal, in all likelihood more than $40/meal.

            • cloudy on 12/11/2019 - 21:17

              @Miss B: Plus even if you eat out and pay $40 for the meal you can’t be sure the salmon is wild caught or farmed.

              If anything, a for profit restaurant is more likely to cut costs on quality of ingredient than if one takes care and buys it themselves, especially when you talk about $13 meals like OP is.

          • Samsungnote10 on 10/11/2019 - 11:14

            @SlavOz: https://shop.coles.com.au/a/a-national/product/the-alternati…

            So is this your definition of fake meat or fake fake meat?

    • superValue on 09/11/2019 - 03:49
      +2

      $65 for 2 people per week in total grocery bill - that's impressive!

      I would like some more details please so I can implement such cost savings.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/11/2019 - 10:16

        Become vegetarian, buy surplus seasonal veggies from your grocery store for $2-3/kg. Never buy any food in a packet other than dried pasta, tinned tomatoes, dried lentils/beans, flour, sauces or condiments.

        Also, make a veggie garden. Even if just for herbs and micro greens.

        Many weeks my wife and I manage under $40 for the two of us for food.

        Between us we earn almost $200k, but trying to minimise food spend is something we see as a fun challenge.

    • MementoMori on 11/11/2019 - 16:08
      +1

      Not that your average ozbargainer (rich middle-aged white men)

      ???

      My guess is the average ozbargainer is Asian background, 20-30, single/no kids.

  • cynicalmike on 07/11/2019 - 20:24
    +27

    not everyone wants to eat cat sized portions.

    did you account for breakfast and dinner as well? or do you just starve at those times?

    and you seem to have forgotten the concept of 'leftovers' and ingredients for multiple meals

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/11/2019 - 17:29
      +7

      not everyone wants to eat cat sized portions.

      I've seen some pretty big cats…

      • Ozpit on 10/11/2019 - 08:16
        +2

        Big cats eat out, mostly at night.

  • mskeggs on 07/11/2019 - 20:25
    +37

    Your estimate for making my own lunch is wildly inflated. It I spent $10 a week it would be a miracle. Literally less than 60c on power and water, check your bill if you are uncertain.

    So the real post here is whether you get $2500-$3000 dollars worth of extra value from buying take away each year.
    I'd rather spend that money on a trip to Europe.

    • DarkOz on 09/11/2019 - 09:13
      +2

      I know I might be breaking some privacy laws but I just checked mskeggs's IP and can confirm that he is currently posting from Europe.

      • KiwiTheGreat on 09/11/2019 - 12:04
        +2

        Or maybe mskeggs bought the NordVPN deal a while back and it's being put to use?

    • dufflover on 09/11/2019 - 14:48
      +2

      check your bill if you are uncertain

      As per bonsaichop's comment above I don't think the OP has any bills to check in the first place with that kind of estimate.

  • wongaubargins on 07/11/2019 - 20:27
    +5

    It adds up, and you only cook once a week. I only cover 5 days worth of meals and each meal suits my macros too. When you eat outside they put in heaps of extra oil and sugar at the least and then likely butter depending on the cuisine. Also it's likely my food tastes better.

  • spackbace on 07/11/2019 - 20:27
    +8

    $10-$15 for butter chicken? That could make 4 portions easy, nearly a working week worth of lunches. Same cost for any curry and rice really.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2019 - 20:41

      Do you make it from scratch or just buy whatever saucy jars are on special and add it to the chicken?

      w

      • spackbace on 07/11/2019 - 20:42
        +2

        I love a good saucy jar ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2019 - 20:50
          +4

          So do I. This one is restaurant quality. I stock up whenever it's 1/2 price.

          p.s: Not your "Saucy Jar"🤨 - he's AFC. It's the girl with the amazing hair ;)

          W

          • spackbace on 07/11/2019 - 21:01
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Lol yes I know it's you wicket

            • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2019 - 21:12
              +3

              @spackbace: Gosh! How did you find that? In my defence, I'm older, wiser and have learned from my mistakes. I would never talk about any part of my body or my sex life now …oh! wait. Please, don't link😩

          • Tatts on 08/11/2019 - 21:18

            @[Deactivated]: Have you tried the Rogan Josh? It's delish.

            • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2019 - 21:24

              @Tatts: Yes, we have. My favourite has to be their briyani range though.

              W

              • Tatts on 09/11/2019 - 11:24

                @[Deactivated]: Haven't tried that one, I'll give it a crack next time they're on special.

      • Blahness on 11/11/2019 - 19:39
        +1

        Try making curry from scratch. You’ll never go back. Spices are cheap. Onions and garlic and canned tomatoes . Probably all adds up to less than the cost of a jar on sale.

    • Peter Enis on 07/11/2019 - 20:45

      Exactly. Cook a curry + rice for $10 gets you 4 lunches, $6 bahn mi on Fri and you're done for the week.

    • dasher86 on 07/11/2019 - 21:38
      +1

      500gs chicken ~$5
      Saucy jar ~$3
      Add veggies to your liking $4
      Rice $1
      Should be enough for 4 meals.

  • Cave Fire on 07/11/2019 - 20:31
    +1

    I recommend Brother's green eats. explains that there are $1 meals basically (pancakes + savoury ones) $3 mexican + indian meals. Plus the main factor that got me interested was the idea about cooking in groups and sharing ingredients and food.

  • StonedWizard on 07/11/2019 - 20:38
    +36

    Another good tip is to just eat someone’s lunch from my work fridge. You get all the satisfaction of eating out but without the cost. (This is a joke)

    • Walleee-y on 08/11/2019 - 20:28
      +11

      My sandwich was named Kevin today.

      • capslock janitor on 09/11/2019 - 11:10
        +3

        Yesterday my saucy spagbol was named Don't Touch.

        Could be French or Italian fella with hammer pants.

  • trustnoone on 07/11/2019 - 20:42
    +1

    1. For a lot when people compare, its because they're talking about a family or at least a couple. They can usually have a full meal for way less than $10, then you have that saving by an average 4 person family, 3 times a day and you probably don't eat as much so it takes longer to go through the food and you're saving quite a bit. Not to mention while lunches are fine (your sandwiches etc) mostly dinner and breakfast meals have bigger markups I've seen up to $4.50 for vegemite on toast.

    2. In saying that you also make many good cases, eating out especially for a single person can a lot of times be a similar cost to buying food. I can pay $37 for 3 dominos pizzas plus 2 sides I think delivered, that's 3 meals at just over $12 each and I have a whole evening free to watch TV and be full as anything. I definitely agree with your thoughts on other peoples view in eating out, people bash it a lot but damn has it saved me a lot of time and I've got to see more of the city.

    In saying that, I work full time now, my time is worth more to me. Back when I was a uni student on Centrelink, I could get by with a few loaves of bread and a few packs of sausages which comes to like $18 a week, or I buy some jam and bread because if I didn't I couldn't afford rent. So if you want to save by buying food it's definitely possible.

    • SlavOz on 07/11/2019 - 20:53
      -6

      Thanks mate. If I wasn't really obsessive about my food and have certain requirements, eating out could cost me even less.

      Domino's has like $6 pizza sometimes! If I wanted to be really cheap, I could get a jar of peanut butter + a banana for a grand total of $3.50.

  • Architectonic on 07/11/2019 - 20:52
    +5

    Aren't you neglecting the time it takes to travel to the place making your meal and waiting for them to make the meal?

    Likewise you are wildly inflating the cost of electricity/water to make a meal. If you are paying similar or more for food than the cost of eating out, then you are not ozbargaining where you buy your food…

    And of course some people simply enjoy making food for themselves…

      • profar on 07/11/2019 - 21:43

        Seeming your so worried about calculations of savings I think you could do better frequenting soup kitchens .

        Leave it for the big guys to eat a restaurants normally combining with biz where ever they end up :)

      • TEER3X on 07/11/2019 - 21:47
        +6

        I think your association of organic and healthy is delusional, likewise your grasp of utility costs.

        No offence though.

        • SlavOz on 07/11/2019 - 21:53
          -7

          Not really. Food that is grown without the use of toxic chemicals or other artificial substances is a lot healthier for you than food that is grown using toxic chemicals and other artificial substances.

          If you're really looking out for your health beyond the simple basics, you should be eating ad much organic produce as possible.

          • kolorijo on 08/11/2019 - 10:45
            +16

            @SlavOz: And yet you are championing eating out where you really don't know for certain how they make your food nor the ingredients they use.

          • TEER3X on 08/11/2019 - 20:21

            @SlavOz: There are no proven health benefits to consuming "organic", but feel free to spend extra money where you see fit.

            Often, much higher quantities of pesticides are used to produce organic crops, so how does that make them healthier?

            Also, there isn't any food that is grown in Australia that contains any toxic chemicals by the time it reaches you. Unless you have any examples from credible sources?

            • stewy on 08/11/2019 - 22:43
              +2

              @TEER3X: Don't delude yourself, there are even second and third world countries banning herbicides and pesticides that are readily used in Australian agriculture.

              Do some research into glyphosate, paraquat and chlorpyrifos, all have arguably credible health concerns yet whilst countries like Thailand and Vietnam are banning them, we happily use them in Australia. After all big business interests stand to lose to much money if they are forced off the market.

              • TEER3X on 16/11/2019 - 18:51

                @stewy: So if a 2nd/3rd world country bans a pesticide, does that automatically make it toxic/dangerous to humans?

                Sure, glyphosate is potentially dangerous and likely carcinogenic with excessive and direct human exposure, i.e. when applying it directly to crops without adequate protection on a commercial basis. I don't see a problem with its application in Australia, and it isn't banned here.

                Nothing really works as effectively as glyphosate. Ask any farmer.

            • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 12:00
              -6

              @TEER3X: Organic tastes better and richer. And you seem to be unaware of labeling laws.

              • TEER3X on 16/11/2019 - 18:54

                @SlavOz: Pot calling the kettle black. Hopefully you don't fall for all that marketing puff.

                I think in 5 or 10 years when you are a little wiser, you can come back to this thread and have a good laugh at some of the things you've said. Some real pearlers for sure.

          • spaceflight on 09/11/2019 - 23:46
            +1

            @SlavOz:

            Not really. Food that is grown without the use of toxic chemicals or other artificial substances is a lot healthier for you than food that is grown using toxic chemicals and other artificial substances.

            You do understand that organic is not the same as pesticide free?

            And that organic pesticides have been grandfathered under current laws because they do not meet the current standards?

            Organic tastes better and richer.

            Not in blind taste tests it doesn't.

        • RandomFox on 09/11/2019 - 21:41

          I think people should stay open minded and do their own research with the amount of brain washing marketing and misleading research out there.

      • Hardlyworkin on 08/11/2019 - 18:32

        Glad I took my lunch to work today in Melbourne. No way I wanted to get my steps up out there!

        Also hard to put a value in the time I spend with the wife making a healthy dinner (leftovers for lunch).

        I've observed in my workplace those who get food out every day seem to have a decent girth going on!

      • zine21 on 10/11/2019 - 20:40

        you're buying grass fed steaks and organic produce based lunches at 10/bucks per meal ? Yeah thats not Australia. As soon as the word organic is added into a meal the prices jump to 20+.

  • dasher86 on 07/11/2019 - 21:47
    +9

    Are you telling me that extra time you have at home can be converted to income?
    Unless you're ubering most people would be on a salary and no over time rates.

    Some people value time over having to cook and what not but if you can definitely save money by cooking a home.
    If you're single be prepared to eat the same thing for a week or learn how to meal prep and freeze.

    • Ghost47 on 09/11/2019 - 11:20

      That time can be spent working on a hobby or a side gig is probably what OP would say.

      He has a point about saving time, I've wondered myself if it's worth cooking every night when it takes 90 minutes. But then again, a grocery shop can cost $60 for me and I have food for the whole week (lunches and dinners, eating the same thing usually but still cheaper than eating out). Meal prepping does save time during the week for sure.

      • dasher86 on 09/11/2019 - 11:34

        Wow, if a meal took me 90 minutes to cook on a week night I wouldn't do it, let alone every night of the week.. ouch.
        It takes me about half a minute these days to slice an onion probably used to take me 5x as long.
        My prep time cut down heaps with practice and also better management in the kitchen means less mess.
        I remember the first time I attempted a "10 minute" meal probably took me an hour haha. These days I could probably do it in 20 without taking all the short cuts I don't like.

        • Ghost47 on 09/11/2019 - 11:46

          I tend to take my time so yeah 90 minutes is a while end-to-end. I tend to take it slow but I could speed up and rush a bit which would save some time.

          How long does it take you end-to-end? If I could shave 30 mins off I'd be pretty happy.

          • dasher86 on 09/11/2019 - 11:52

            @Ghost47: Including prep, cooking and cleaning time 30-40 minutes depending on what I'm cooking.
            Also usually make more than one serve at a time so I don't have to cook every night.
            Anything that requires more time to cook I save for the weekend and make a bigger batch to make it worthwhile.

    • SlavOz on 07/11/2019 - 22:10

      Nope, but I put aside 70% of my pay every week so I decided to wait a little longer.

      I also bought a new car recently so I'm not worried about saving habits, if that's what you're asking.

      • Resin on 08/11/2019 - 23:33

        But was it an 80k high yield investment?

        • abuch47 on 08/11/2019 - 23:50
          +2

          A v8 that wont go past 4k

      • Ghost47 on 09/11/2019 - 11:22

        There's the extreme of being too frugal and then the other extreme of buying a car new (which basically depreciates 10% when you drive it off the lot). I'm guessing you bought the car outright if you're able to put away that much pay each week.

        • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 14:59
          -1

          Mate if you never ever buy a new car just because you're worried about depreciation, you're in the too frugal category. Not everything has to have a return on investment. Don't you work hard just so you can buy things that you enjoy?

          • Resin on 09/11/2019 - 17:10

            @SlavOz: Just wait until you get a wife; Then you too can work hard for a return on that investment.

            • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2019 - 01:23

              @Resin: Not sure if any women would want to marry a man who buys a V8 mustang and refuses to take it past 4,000 RPM.

  • bobbified on 07/11/2019 - 22:34
    +2

    I actually agree with you.

    Unless I buy bulk and eat the same thing day after day, it works out cheaper for me to eat out. But whether it's healthy or not is a different story.

    I try and balance it out between the cost, variety and health.

    • SlavOz on 07/11/2019 - 23:31
      +1

      I do my best to order things with minimal to no oil (char-grilled meats, rice dishes, sandwiches etc) and usually order extra vegetables that I force myself to eat on the side.

  • Diji1 on 07/11/2019 - 22:46
    -2

    For someone on hourly pay with a busy lifestyle, accounting for overtime rates, that extra hour could've been spent at work which would yield you at least $45. So accounting for time (which is just as valuable as money), you're almost better off buying your lunch if you can do it strategically.

    Whoa, whoa, what the **** are you doing, you could be foregoing any pleasure at all by eati… drinking(?) Soylent. This is the only thing that makes sense after valueing your time at $45 per hour. DO NOT EAT AWAY FROM YOUR DESK FROM NOW ON.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYafzHUzJms

  • John Kimble on 08/11/2019 - 01:30
    +1

    I don't consider it a waste, like you say, you are paying a premium for convenience. And if you can afford it, go for it.

    I think eating breakfast out (generally speaking) is overrated/overpriced…along with buying take away coffee and bubble tea.

  • elgrande on 08/11/2019 - 06:26

    My lunch is a can of tuna ($1 half price sale), so $5 per week (Mon-Fri).

    • Ughhh on 08/11/2019 - 06:56
      +1

      Age you an ant?

      • zoob on 08/11/2019 - 12:04
        +1

        An ant could stretch that one can across the whole week so even better.

        • Miss B on 10/11/2019 - 09:21
          +1

          And feed the whole family.

    • smartazz104 on 10/11/2019 - 20:37

      Your dinner must be enormous to make up for that snack.

  • ozbjunkie on 08/11/2019 - 07:55
    +2

    If you had to eat my cooking, you'd say that eating out was money well spent, regardless of what it costs.

    Cooking for 1, might as well use an eatclub 30-50% off. Even if I'm at home, the time it takes to buy the food, cook it, wash up… I'll just pay the 10-20 bucks and enjoy my evening. Then other nights I'll make a bunch of fried eggs and steamed broccoli for $3 because I'm classy like that.

  • MrBear on 08/11/2019 - 09:09
    +9

    Factor in another $15 for electricity and water used for cooking/cleaning.

    What? I don't think you understand how much time it takes to cook and clean and how much power you use. If it was more than a few dollars for a weeks worth of meals, you are doing it wrong.

    And based on this, I can tell you don't really understand the value of money or how to save or the reason for being frugal.

    Which really begs the question, what are you doing on OzBargain?!!

  • Vivf on 08/11/2019 - 09:14
    +1

    The thing is, once money is spent, it’s spent. For most people on salaries, money cannot be equally exchanged for your time.

    The money you spend or save should not be thought of as a proportion of your entire take home pay, but rather your disposable income. When you do these numbers you’ll find that the proportion of money you could save is much higher. Disposable income is what makes you rich.

    • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 12:10
      -4

      Maybe for most lazy or unmotivated people on salaries, money cannot be equally exchanged for time. But if you're driven and know what you're doing it certainly can. I work full-time in my industry and then have a few freelance clients who I can work for the side, based on my own schedule and liking. I charge $60 an hour, but I know others who charge more than double that per hour of consulting or other freelance work.

      Heck, even an hour spent watching online lectures or reading a textbook can make you way better at your job. If you spend all the hours you usually spent on meal prep doing this, you'd be miles better at your job after a year or two - which means a higher chance of negotiating a better salary, reaching performance bonuses/targets, or decreasing the chance that you'll be considered for a redundancy when downsizing happens.

  • passwordistaco on 08/11/2019 - 09:27
    +3

    I'm intrigued by a lot of people's ideas on preparing/eating lunch cheap. Is there a thread with food ideas for lunches etc?

    Getting a bit bored of the same Mexican salad ($8 for three days).

    Oh and OP - sorry I disagree with you. As a salary employee whether I use the time to prep lunch or watch Netflix.. there's no lost opportunity cost.

    • andyhui01 on 09/11/2019 - 12:56

      There are a couple of sub-reddits dedicated to it.

      ie.
      https://www.reddit.com/r/EatCheapAndHealthy/

    • Baghern on 10/11/2019 - 12:17

      I find a middle ground is good
      Im a casual make your own lunch, so my costs are higher

      But for an average $6.50 lunch, twice a week
      I make 2 huge chicken wraps

      $10 woolies/coles roast chicken, broken into 4 and placed in 4 container. Place 3 in the freezer
      This is for 4 lunchs so for my twice a week lunch its $5

      Avocado $2-$3
      1 Tomato $1
      spinich/rocket whatever $2
      5-10% of a bottle of dresssing/mayo 0.20c
      8 wraps $4 ($2 for a week)

      So just over $13. $6.50 for lunch
      I make this at work and put it in the Sandwich Press

      These are two massive wraps, that would probably cost me $20 at the shops where I work.

      For smaller people you could break the ingredients down to more meals.

      Ultimately as a casual, Im saving on my average $15 lunch and eating a healthy BIG meal.

      Im not spending $15 on electricity and water….

      A more efficent personw ho shops at Aldo could probably cut the costs down in half..

      TLDR Op is an idiot

  • OzHunterNSW on 08/11/2019 - 09:46
    +2

    I am programmed by the copious TV cooking programmes to cook cook cook and by late evening to buy buy buy on late night telemarketing shows

  • AbsX on 08/11/2019 - 11:11

    Eating out is an experience (can also be for conviencience like takeaway lunches). You're paying for the experience and ambience of the restaurant. Nothing wrong with it.

    • superValue on 09/11/2019 - 03:35
      +1

      Lunch time ambience at a $15 meal place?

      I think we have a different appreciation of the term.

      Horses for courses.

  • Bargain80 on 08/11/2019 - 11:30
    +4

    looks like you're calculating based on cooking one meal at a time. Once for lunch, once for dinner, 5 days a week.
    If you do that and you're single, yes you probably won't save much.
    The true saving in cooking is if you cook in bulk.
    That will reduce the home cook meal to $5 each or less.

    • WT on 09/11/2019 - 01:18
      +1

      cooking in bulk more so saves time. unless youre buying those rip off small portions that are pre packaged.

  • SlickMick on 08/11/2019 - 11:44
    +3

    Come on guys, don't correct all the false assumptions OP made in trying to justify his position.

    I'm sure if he cuts off the gas and power to his house, sells all the kitchen equipment, and rents out the kitchen he no longer needs, he could come out ahead eating out.

    • Bargain80 on 08/11/2019 - 12:03
      +5

      OP still needs to cook dinner though.
      Otherwise,the eating out calculation must be doubled.

  • HeWhoKnows on 08/11/2019 - 12:04

    Out of all the people I know there is only one old conservative person that doesnt eat out and its not for finnacial reasons.

    OP has got it all wrong.

  • Mechz on 08/11/2019 - 12:31
    +3

    I used to get by (post divorce) on a free banana from work for breakfast, 2 sushi rolls for less than $6 at lunch then Coles hot chook and greens (spread over 3 nights) for dinner. Zero time and cost for cooking and since the fridge was on anyway nothing for electricity. That's how you save money and time.

  • Baysew on 08/11/2019 - 12:36
    +5

    Why do so many people think eating out is a waste of money?

    Because you don't have to be financial savvy to know that this is correct.

  • onetwothreefour on 08/11/2019 - 12:49
    +15

    Why do so many people think eating out is a waste of money?

    Because we have a proper grasp on the costs of food, electricity and water.

  • onetwothreefour on 08/11/2019 - 12:57
    +6

    I'll also add that if you are still saving up for a deposit on a place to buy like your previous posts suggest then making food vs eating out is really somewhere you need to start changing your habits so that you can get a good deposit saved up, not like the $15k you had only a few months ago.

    • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 12:17

      $15k after half a year of saving aint bad. I can save $30k a year while still eating out. That's solely because I've chosen to remain single - it's not the greatest thing socially speaking but but it's the smartest financial decision one can ever make. Hence why nobody I know who's in a relationship can put away as much of their pay as I can. Point is, there are far better ways to save money than eating at home. Getting married and having kids later in life once you're already well on your feet means is going to save you a lifetime more money skimping on groceries - 100% promise you that. How many people do this? Very little. I know way too many people who complain life is too expensive because they save and save yet they're still struggling…maybe because they got married and had kids by the age of 22 and had to borrow stupid amounts of money to provide.

      • happirt on 09/11/2019 - 13:05

        how do you 100% guarantee that there will be a "later in life" to experience life?

        population in the developed world is getting old. Many millennials are choosing to do what you are talking about. there is plenty of young people who do this, outside of your social circle. soon young people are going to be working to sustain the old non-working people.

        • SlavOz on 09/11/2019 - 14:56

          No garuantees, I'm happy to take the risk. If I bite the bullet before I get a chance to get married and have kids, tough shit. At least I ain't leaving a wife and kids devastated and in financial hardship without me.

      • onetwothreefour on 11/11/2019 - 11:46

        $15k after half a year of saving aint bad. I can save $30k a year while still eating out.

        That may be the case but that's not what everyone is disagreeing with you about, it's cheaper to prepare your own food than to eat out.

        I've chosen to remain single

        sure you have

        100% promise you that

        Let me know when you're older how this works out for you.

        If it's cheaper to eat out why do supermarkets sell so many ingredients for people to make food? It can't be because people are too lazy to discover eating out is cheaper because the lazy option would be to eat out so that you didn't have to make your own food.

        • SlavOz on 11/11/2019 - 13:14
          -2

          Dude, I never said eating out is cheaper. I'm just saying it's a lot more nuanced than simply saying it's a waste of money, since we all spend money for the convenience of not having to do something ourselves (eg driving). Bad financial habits come in every area of life so it's way too stereotypical to assume that just because someone eats at home they're spending their money wisely.

          For my lifestyle it works out better to eat out because my time can be converted into money. There's no reason to be salty because you have to feed 13 people on a $4 budget.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2019 - 12:59
    +1

    The issue is people’s desire to have for the convenience of every good and service and complain about the cost and quality. Creating these habits, not paying off debt, trying to take every short cut won’t lead you to being wealthy long term and sustainably.

  • Hybroid on 08/11/2019 - 13:01
    +1

    I happily eat out every day, twice a day (lunch and dinner), mostly due to being lazy/for convenience, but I still don't agree with your assessment.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2019 - 16:04
    +2

    Why do so many people think eating out is a waste of money?

    If by "people", you mean ozbargainers… IRL, people eat out all the time.

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