This is one of the top questions people ask, and a lot of people have experimented with this to see if buying your meals is more expensive than cooking at home. To start with, if you don’t know how to cook, it will be hard for you to pick another side other than to eat out, unless you get a cook, which will cost you a fortune. So, if you are trying to be prudent with spending or you’re managing debt, and are looking for ways to cut costs, will cooking at home help you achieve this? Let’s find out!

Why is Cutting Costs Important?

If you are not used to budgeting, the day you start, you will realise that there is a lot to cut back. You could save a lot when you consider budgeting and cutting back. Cutting costs may feel like depriving yourself of some pleasure, but that’s not the case. You can still enjoy the same food or entertainment even after cutting back, it’s about a little reduction here and there. For example, if you get a new suit that is bigger than you, you can give it to a tailor who can amend it, then the suit fits better. The tailor cut back, reduced, and fitted the cloth to match your body. So when you cut costs, you’re fitting yourself into your financial situation. If you’re earning $2,000 monthly, you can’t spend money like someone who earns $5,000.

Therefore, if you can cook, you may want to explore cooking at home to cut costs. If you don’t know how to cook, you can learn it, and it will be exciting. There are videos on YouTube or you can register for a cooking class, it’s worth it.

Ways Home-made Meals Cut Costs 

Buying in Bulk

When you cook at home, you can buy ingredients in bulk, and you will get them at a cheaper price compared to when you buy in units. With the fact that prices of foodstuffs and groceries will rather increase than reduce. When you buy in bulk, you can use them for a while and keep using them even after the price has increased. That’s not even the whole idea, buying in bulk will save you up to fifties and hundreds of dollars. You can try it and see how it works for yourself. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. You will save money and you will also save time. 

Also, there’s this sense of satisfaction when you know you’re stocked up and prepared. And let’s not forget, with bulk buying, there’s less packaging waste, so you’re doing a bit for the environment too. It’s a win-win situation. So, next time you’re out shopping, ‘think bulk.’

Control Over Portions

Restaurants tend to serve in large portions, you will end up eating more because you want to finish your food and you don’t want to waste. You just want to spend every dollar by not leaving any grain of rice on the plate. This may lead you to spend more and also overeat, and then you start finding it hard to keep in shape. At home, you can control portion sizes, and end up reducing both food and money waste. If you’re on a weight-loss journey, you may find it hard to be on a calorie-deficit if you continue to eat out, but you can do this at home.

Processed Foods Can Be More Expensive 

Processed foods can sometimes be more expensive compared to cooked food. It’s not just about the cost, but even the health implications. Too much processed food affects your health, and you will end up paying for hospital bills. Processed foods are not good for your heart and your weight. Likewise, you don’t get to pick high-quality ingredients you could use when you prepare your meals. You don’t know how hygienic the food vendor is. You just don’t want to risk eating out all the time.

Reduce Food Waste 

When you eat out, there are times you lose your appetite while eating, or the food is too salty or spicy, and you cannot finish it. If the same happens at home, you can improvise. With home cooking, you’ve got the control. Say a dish turned out too spicy, you can balance it with some yoghurt or cream. If it is too salty, add potatoes or more veggies. Also, your leftovers can be tomorrow’s lunch or part of a new dish. You’ll be surprised how much you can save and how little you throw out.

You Can Save on Taxes and Tips

These days, if you don’t tip the waiter, you could feel like a sinner, and you will still pay tax on your meals. All these put together will cost you. At home, these aren’t factors. No extra charges for service or tipping. It’s just you, your kitchen, and the freedom to enjoy your meal. Every penny you spend goes straight into the quality of your food.

Conclusion 

If you have a few dollars with you, you can still prepare something at home, especially if you already have foodstuffs. Sometimes, you may not even spend anything on food for days if you’re already stored up.

If you have mounting debt, it can affect your eating habits. You will likely lose interest in eating healthy or cooking. You may want to resort to drinking and eating unhealthy fast food. Why not speak with one of our debt experts at EmpireOne Credit? Your debt can be reduced by up to 80%, and interest will stop immediately. Call us at (416) 900-2324 to schedule a free consultation with us. Being debt-free feels good!