I've always enjoyed cooking. But it doesn't exactly thrill me to slave over the stove after a long day at the office and an evening of housework. So, why do I do it? Aside from it being healthier than the alternative (depending on the amount of butter I'm using... YUM!), I cook to save us money.
Between my husband's hefty appetite and my utter lack of interest in eating from a fast food dollar menu every night (although I do have a weakness for Wendy's chicken nuggets and a chocolate frosty!), eating out can get expensive... fast! A trip to Taco Bell will cost more than $10 between the two of us, and Taco Bell is on the cheaper end of the fast food options out there. And though I constantly crave those delicious Doritos Locos Tacos, a fast food meal just isn't worth the money or the calories, and here's why:
I can spend the same amount of money to cook a meal at home that will typically feed both my husband and me two or three times. Having leftovers to take to work with me the next day saves me from spending more money and getting a quick fix at the closest drive-thru. Not to mention, a greasy meal at lunchtime inevitably slows me down the rest of the day, and I'm left wanting a shower and a nap.
We're less tempted to eat out when we have perishables. Knowing we have ground meat that needs to be cooked or milk that's due to expire, we're encouraged to cook and eat what we have before it goes bad. Uneaten food is wasted money!
A home cooked meal is not only healthier than a greasy, cheese and bacon smothered burger (I'm not going to lie... that sounds delicious right now!), but it also makes us feel better. My cooking isn't always lean, but we're absolutely more energized than we would be after eating something battered and fried.
Marc and I are also aware of which fast foods taste the best and how it all makes us feel, so if there's no food in the house we're often tempted to opt for a more expensive option. A meal from Raising Cane's will cost us about $15, and a meal from a table service restaurant will cost us upwards of $40 if you include a tip and my husband's weakness for an ice cold beer or two. Add that up over a week, and we have ourselves a food bill larger than we can afford!
With my small salary and Marc back in school again, a nice night out doesn't come often for us. But because of that, we've learned to appreciate the small luxuries and enjoy it when we can. Cooking successfully on a budget is a very rewarding task, especially when I have a full and happy hubby!
I grew up eating and loving my momma's delicious home made meals, and there's a lot to say about the quality bonding time the family gets by eating together at the dinner table. I will always love to cook and continue to cook, even when our bank account begins to grow. The only thing that might change slightly is my grocery list... more steak and seafood! MMM!
No comments:
Post a Comment