Eating out isn’t necessarily bad, but if you eat out more than once per week, you’re at risk of sacrificing your health in favor of convenience. Also, the more often you eat out, the more money you spend on food each month—and you could use that money in so many better ways! Don’t want to deprive yourself? Instead of eating out every day, eat out once per week and use the money saved to splurge on something else you enjoy!
Save Money When You Don’t Eat Out
Eating out is expensive. Whether it’s just you grabbing a sandwich or you’re taking the whole family to Applebee’s, the price per meal is significantly higher when you eat out. But, of course, we’re social animals, and a lot of what we do involves going to restaurants and bars to hang out with friends. Going out only when necessary will allow you to have money for those occasions.
Improve Your Cooking Skills
It might sound a little old-fashioned, but one of the best ways to save money is to cook at home. On average, Americans spend almost half their food budget on eating out. It’s easy to see why: Grocery shopping can be time-consuming and difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing. But you won’t get better unless you work on it!
Reduce Waste
When you cook at home, you’re not only saving money and helping your waistline—you’re also reducing food waste. Nearly one-third of all food produced in North America goes to waste. If you’re going out to eat every meal, the food in your fridge is likely going to waste.
Healthier Food Options exist
If you’re’ looking to slim down, stay in most nights and eat meals that you cook yourself. You can control what food items you have and how you cook them. Restaurant servings are often more than you should have in one sitting, but the food’s so delicious you eat it all anyway. Cooking at home also makes it easier to meal prep throughout the week. This will help you choose healthy options when you get busier later in the week.
Important Family Time
Nothing beats sitting at home and talking with your family. When you sit down and have a meal with your family, it is like setting an appointment to catch up on each other’s lives. Restaurants can distract from intimate conversations.
