Yesss!

[alison]

We're down to eating out once/week! We've been cooking and eating in for a good 5 months (we do splurge for special occasions though), and it makes for a huge difference!

Any other success stories?

[Sheherezade]

See? All those annoying kids at CPK have served a purpose!

:> I couldn't resist. :>

[alison]

CPK is birth control! So, I could save $ on that!

:>

[PrincessFiona]

Alison,

Eating in has really helped us too....alot! I make weekly menus and as a result, my grocery bill is way down too....

kris

Well, I'm pleased to say that I've also been cooking a lot more lately....but I'm not sure that our overall food spending is down because our grocery bill has gone way up. But I've been cooking 4-5 times per week. I've made some tasty things! Last night I made manicotti, mashed potatoes and caesar salad.

[Sheherezade]

Yeah...whenever I make menus and cook at home most nights, our grocery bill goes way up. Way up. I got frightened the last time they tallied up my bill.

I think it's because we have three nights (easily) a week when someone isn't around. When it's only three people we tend to eat easy food or leftovers instead of meals. When I meal plan, I cook even on those nights. Mac and Cheese or cold sandwiches are a lot cheaper than any actual
"meal" around here. I think it also makes better use of our leftover when we don't cook regularly. We always have too much food.

That said, I think cutting out the restaurant eating is a great move. We try to only go out once or less a week. I do consider runs to Subway for 4 subs for 12.99 after 6 PM and Boston Market 19 dollar meals in the same league as eating at home. It's a pretty cheap "night out". It's the $40 buck casual eatery sit - down stuff that adds up in this family.

I agree with you, Angie. We eat at Panera a lot--for about $11 the two of us can take out a nice dinner. Cheap and easy.

[PrincessFiona]

I plan my meals out so that the ingredients that I buy are suitable for a couple of different meals...ie...If I buy pineapple and coconunt milk then that week I make curry, pineapple, mandarine orange cod and then later in the week I make a meatball that comes in a pineapple coconut milk sauce......

Also, I go to the cheapest grocery store around and I buy only what' son my shopping list. I use my PDA to make sure my recipes and shopping lists are accurate and then I do a quick inventory in the house to see if I need to add toilet paper or anything else.

kris

Dang, Kris! You are so organized! That's amazing. I'm inspired.

[PrincessFiona]

:funnycry:

Dang, Kris! You are so organized!

I wish! It's really the only area of my life where I sort of am getting it together

I wish! It's really the only area of my life where I sort of am getting it together.

Well, here's hoping it infects all the other areas of your life!