Did you know that the average American spends $1200 a year eating out? That is only eating out twice a week. If you eat out more, you could be spending closer to $2000 a year on fast food alone! Typically, this meal is a burger, pizza or fried chicken, according to dailymail.com. Try these tips for saving money when it comes to eating out.
There are a few reasons why people resort to eating out and it is because it’s fast and easy. If you are prepared ahead of time, this will solve the fast and easy problem. Another issue is social eating. Do you ever go out to eat as a form of entertainment or just to get out of the house? If this is the case, stop! It’s great to do this every now and again, but if it’s a weekly activity, you could be saving that money.
Start the process by making a weekly budget for food. After you have a budget, prepare a grocery list and stick to it! This means no last minute purchases on things you don’t really need. Make sure what is on your list is within budget and can be used to make meals to last you all week. After you have done your grocery shopping, be sure to keep with your budget and not over spend.
The point of making and sticking to a grocery list is to prepare meals for the future week. Prepare sack lunches. Maybe this won’t make you the coolest person in the office, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run. You can also make dinner ahead of time and freeze them. This will save you time and money as well. For more tips, see here!
Help yourself out by preparing meals ahead of time and staying under budget! Your wallet and your waistline will appreciate it.