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out0v0rder · Jan 28, 2012

im an expert and ill say that a months worth of groceries costs about the same as a months worth of fast food, most times the fast food option is cheaper if you use dollar menus.

that is unless your groceries consist of only chicken, rice, and bread. zzZZzz .

a months worth of restaurant eating is mad expensive though, even chilis.

GameplayWhore · Jan 28, 2012

My daily food budget varies between two and eight dollars. I'm a pretty bland eater, but I found that I have great enjoyment for a particular brand of relatively cheap (40¢ per 100 cals) and very well rounded nutritional bar, quesadillas whose components I can purchase in bulk, and maple and brown sugar oatmeal, which I can get as a generic brand. Cans of vegetables are pretty cheap, too. I mostly get corn.

If I really want to save, ~1000 calorie, generic brand macaroni and cheese from the store for sixty cents or so. That's lacking in important nutrients and vitamins, so I do have to eat some other things that'll health my body up.

I cook and bake sometimes, but it's usually for other people.

Korey · Jan 28, 2012

johnsmith said:
So you don't know anything about cooking at all.

It's not that hard. Look up recipes online or buy a book. It's just a matter of buying the ingredients and following instructions.

Well, to cook you need:

1) A bunch of random ingredients. Each dish requires different ingredients, so basically you need to buy a bunch of stuff to make one thing.

2) There's a billion types of pans and crap

3) Cleanup is a big one. Not only do you have to do your dishes but you have to worry about the cookware. I mean, yea you can just throw it in the dishwasher but some stuff apparently you can't? Also, it's just a mess with all the prep...mixing stuff in bowls, measuring cups, etc.

4) Effort. How much time did it take you to prepare a meal?

p_xavier · Jan 28, 2012

It all depends on how much money you make. If I work overtime, I'd rather spend time working and buying some food than cooking. Time is money as they say.

relaxor · Jan 28, 2012

Good cooking has an expensive up front cost if you're new to it. By this I mean a collection of spices and sauces, and maybe some pots and pans.

But it is way less expensive in the long run. I think of it as "the spices make the food" and then I just swap in a meat, veggie, and grain.

I eat well.

Arthrus · Jan 28, 2012

At the moment, I make more than enough money and time is my most valuable resource. If I work an hour of overtime, I can order a well-prepared, healthy meal that would have taken more than an hour to get ready. Further, I would still have some money left over from that overtime, and would make extra progress on my projects at work.

What I actually do is work really long hours and hoard the cash like a pack rat. I prepare just about all my food at home and eat very basic things like fried eggs and salads that take 10 minutes or less to prepare. This has the added benefit of usually being very healthy and cheap, but people used to high quality meals will not adapt well to it. Once I week I make something more complex for practice.

As a Canadian, I wonder if there are notable differences between our eating habits and those of the US? (Generally speaking)

la flama blanca · Jan 28, 2012

Can someone please make a thread where we have suggested healthy* meal plans on the cheap for each day? I will gladly follow to the GAF MEAL PLAN™

Korey · Jan 28, 2012

Juancho9 said:
Can someone please make a thread where we have suggested healthy* meal plans on the cheap for each day? I will gladly follow to the GAF MEAL PLAN™

Yes please.

My goal this year is learn how to cook, and learn 1 recipe every month. So 12 recipes in 2012. January is coming to a close so I'll need to hurry up or double up in Feb.

Does anyone think this would be a good idea for a thread? Like someone teach us a recipe every month. It would be for total beginners so it should cover what equipment we need, what ingredients to buy, etc. And maybe we can vote for what the next month's recipe would be.

Leona Lewis · Jan 28, 2012

Korey said:
Yes please.

My goal this year is learn how to cook, and learn 1 recipe every month. So 12 recipes in 2012. January is coming to a close so I'll need to hurry up or double up in Feb.

Does anyone think this would be a good idea for a thread? Like someone teach us a recipe every month. It would be for total beginners so it should cover what equipment we need, what ingredients to buy, etc. And maybe we can vote for what the next month's recipe would be.

Co-signed.

blame space · Jan 28, 2012

can the first recipe be grilled cheese?

la flama blanca · Jan 28, 2012

blame space said:
can the first recipe be grilled cheese?

Fuzzery · Jan 28, 2012

Calling onkelc

SteveWinwood · Jan 28, 2012

I minored in chemistry.

It's the same as cooking.

Except harder.

You just read directions and do what they say.

Flo_Evans · Jan 28, 2012

Meh, if I cook I always buy the best ingredients possible. Way more expensive than fast food.

Sure you can buy a 20 lb bag of shitty rice and a bag of disgusting frozen chicken and eat very cheaply but that is a horrible way to live.

Going to chain resturants everyday is kind of silly, no matter how backwater your town is there is probably some place there that has a decent chef who gives a shit about food. I would just as easily blow $100 on an amazing meal than go to a concert or sporting event. Fuck I would almost rather go for the meal.

Derwind · Jan 28, 2012

I've taken it for granted that I've been cooking since I was like 10...

I eat out only when I'm too lazy to bring cooked food from home... otherwise I bring my own food in Tupperware..

For people who don't know how to cook:

One thing I can say is, practice cooking recipes online and then when you're comfortable enough start experimenting with recipes you know. You'll learn more about cooking that way....

Flo_Evans said:
Meh, if I cook I always buy the best ingredients possible. Way more expensive than fast food.

I buy high quality fresh ingredients... while it's expensive, it's still cheaper than fast food, as I can make weeks worth of food from what I cook....

dudeworld · Jan 28, 2012

Korey said:
Well, to cook you need:

1) A bunch of random ingredients. Each dish requires different ingredients, so basically you need to buy a bunch of stuff to make one thing.

2) There's a billion types of pans and crap

3) Cleanup is a big one. Not only do you have to do your dishes but you have to worry about the cookware. I mean, yea you can just throw it in the dishwasher but some stuff apparently you can't? Also, it's just a mess with all the prep...mixing stuff in bowls, measuring cups, etc.

4) Effort. How much time did it take you to prepare a meal?

and don't forget that kitchens (where you make the meal) are like $30,000+!!! imagine how much you'd save if you sold your kitchen. You could buy a brand new car !

brianjones · Jan 28, 2012

Derwind said:
I've taken it for granted that I've been cooking since I was like 10...

I eat out only when I'm too lazy to bring cooked food from home... otherwise I bring my own food in Tupperware..

For people who don't know how to cook:

One thing I can say is, practice cooking recipes online and then when you're comfortable enough start experimenting with recipes you know. You'll learn more about cooking that way....

I buy high quality fresh ingredients... while it's expensive, it's still cheaper than fast food, as I can make weeks worth of food from what I cook....

another + for eating out.. variety

youre eating the same thing for lunch you had for dinner last night

Senoculum · Jan 28, 2012

I know OP says not so much restaurants on a typical weekend, but I know how to cook. And I cook often, mind you. But I love food and company, and so going out to chow down on whatever is very appealing mostly because I'm in a very multicultural part of town.

I'm exposed to food joints from all continents and all tastes. In fact, I'm in a shopping district with a lot of fast food/sit down places. So many, that I actually haven't been to them all, and I've been here for ten years.

I like trying new things, and sometimes I'm not bothered to learn a recipe for something I particularly enjoy. And as others have pointed out, when I do make something, I use good ingredients. I mean, for my boiling purposes, distilled moisture from clouds ain't exactly cheap.

Derwind · Jan 28, 2012

brianjones said:
another + for eating out.. variety

youre eating the same thing for lunch you had for dinner last night

ehh... yeah, I guess, if I had more time in my life I could have more variety..

Neki · Jan 28, 2012

Eating out for lunch is usually a social thing. When I was a server, everyone after work used to get drinks and grab some late night dinner at the bar. People just want to talk, let off some steam and relax, and sometimes it costs money. I didn't like doing it that way, but I do recognize the value of it, and sometimes I would do it even though it costs more money. Like I know I could get really cheap alcohol at home, but going to the bar is for the experience and social gathering aspect. Though there is always pre-drinking.

brianjones · Jan 28, 2012

Derwind said:
ehh... yeah, I guess, if I had more time in my life I could have more variety..

it can be good though if it's healthy

when i was taking better care of myself i was usually eating the same meals consistently that were healthy

trying to think of food as fuel

also cant cook for shit though.. was eating a lot of chicken breast and brown rice

relaxor · Jan 28, 2012

Another + for cooking is that you can make food for people you like. It's fun and nice.

Also instant lvl+up if you cook for someone on a date. If you go out to dinner with them you'll have fun, but if you cook them a meal at your house...

you're already in your house, their eyes may start to Bambi over as they watch you cook...

eat, drink some wine...

Dennis · Jan 28, 2012

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460553

suzu · Jan 28, 2012

Eating out is fun, but if you're complaining about how poor you are at the same time.... well.

Cooking isn't always expensive. You can make some tasty meals on a budget. Not all the ingredients will be used up right away either (spices, sauces, etc) if you're only cooking for one or two people.

cajunator · Jan 28, 2012

The food here is fucking awesome, and it outdoes anything I can cook with my sorry-ass cooking skills. I eat out a lot.

Xplatformer · Jan 28, 2012

PK Gaming said:
Fast food restaurants (or any restaurant really) provides you with food for the soul. Yeah its a huge money sink, but oh-so worth it. I can't go a week without buying Subway at least once or twice every 3-4 days.

Baa ha ha ha. Thanks for that.

mescalineeyes · Jan 28, 2012

I work from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening most days, which doesnt incude getting to and from work. so does my girl.

I honest to god don't know when to find the time to cook during the week.
that said, when I am feeling cheap I get sausages from the supermarket across the street.

industrian · Jan 28, 2012

I don't have a kitchen in my apartment.

cajunator · Jan 28, 2012

It really isn't that expensive to eat out here either so that doesn't hurt.

SapientWolf · Jan 28, 2012

out0v0rder said:
im an expert and ill say that a months worth of groceries costs about the same as a months worth of fast food, most times the fast food option is cheaper if you use dollar menus.

that is unless your groceries consist of only chicken, rice, and bread. zzZZzz .

a months worth of restaurant eating is mad expensive though, even chilis.

You would think, but there isn't enough fiber or nutrition in it. So you have to eat more to feel full. And the portions don't scale. You can get 10 pounds of potatoes for what it costs for a large fry.

TheExplodingHead · Jan 28, 2012

Chick Fil A FTW!!! Never a better spot to buy out. And yeah, being a college student/full time "working man" I eat out a lot. Pizza, burgers, subs, ramen noodles, beer, soda and prescriptions is what my diet consists of. It also helps my roommate and fiance all chip in to buy everything too.

cajunator · Jan 28, 2012

When I want to be cheap, I just buy a bunch of Campbells Chunky canned soup. Fills me up and doesn't cost a lot. It has sky high sodium, but everything here has sky high sodium.

Suite Pee · Jan 28, 2012

A lot of my income goes toward fast food/restaurants/delis. But it saves me a lot of time and it's instant gratification, so I don't mind it. I'm pretty frugal in every other part of my life.

Slayer-33 · Jan 28, 2012

Emily Chu said:
While I like eating out every now and then

a packet of 12 Chicken Breast is like 8-9$

Rice is like 20$ for 20lbs

I can buy two 12 chicken packets for like 16$ and the 20$ 20lb rice bag and eat for a fucking month.
pound chicken flat make like 2 slabs out of 1 chicken breast
it's simple a little salt a little pepper and stick it on a skillet or grill for 10 minutes 5 minutes per side

cook the rice in a rice cooker

BOOM DINNER IN 30

Umm where the hell do you get chicken breasts that cheap?

3 whole chicken breasts cost me like 13 bucks, I'm in nyc btw.... Christ..

VALIS · Jan 28, 2012

I enjoy cooking, but it's not that much cheaper, it really isn't. Especially since I like seafood.

Meanwhile, a large pizza w/extra cheese is like 10 bucks and provides two days of food.

Special J · Jan 28, 2012

give me my food in tubes. let it be tasteless sustenance, would simplify my life.

Freestyler · Jan 28, 2012

Jesus you Americans have it cheap with supermarkets. You'd be lucky to buy one chicken breast here for $5 USD.

Special J · Jan 28, 2012

Freestyler said:
Jesus you Americans have it cheap with supermarkets. You'd be lucky to buy one chicken breast here for $5 USD.

L2 have unsustainable meat subsidies noob countries.

cajunator · Jan 28, 2012

I could also just go spend 5 bucks and buy several links of boudin and be full all morning.

slidewinder · Jan 28, 2012

Freestyler said:
Jesus you Americans have it cheap with supermarkets. You'd be lucky to buy one chicken breast here for $5 USD.

Meaning what in terms of cost/weight? Basically anywhere in the US, you can get boneless, skinless chicken breast for $2/lb, so US $4.40/kg, on sale at one supermarket or another. That's flavorless industrial chicken, though.

Special J · Jan 28, 2012

slidewinder said:
Meaning what in terms of cost/weight? Basically anywhere in the US, you can get boneless, skinless chicken breast for $2/lb, so US $4.40/kg, on sale at one supermarket or another. That's flavorless industrial chicken, though.

"you americans" makes it clear hes not in the US

Hiltz · Jan 28, 2012

Yeah, I was guilty of eating out a lot when I had a job at a retail store. Unfortunately, the mall had a truly pathetic food court with only Baja Fresh and a Korean BBQ fast food place to choose from along with McDonald's (the kind with the really small menu) and Subway (which I would get grossed out just by the smell of the place). Come to think of it, the only time I went to eat at home was on the first time. I only lived 5 minutes away but I felt rushed and just for a simple turkey sandwich too. I often don't even eat fast food hamburgers except for at Wendy's since the burgers aren't so small that you feel ripped off by what you get.

I never wanted to bring in one of those frozen lunches/dinners or bring something from home to reheat because the break room's microwave and toaster were always dirty since no one cleaned up after themselves. I could have kept a small cooler in my trunk to keep lunch in, but I'm one of those lazy people who didn't want to bother making a lunch for work let alone school.

cajunator · Jan 28, 2012

Why spend $3-$5 on flavorless uncooked chicken when you can buy a FULLY COOKED ROTISSERIE STYLE CHICKEN FOR THE SAME PRICE? I mean seriously, its the best thing ever. Those deli style rotisserie chickens. I'm snacking on a lemon pepper flavored one now.

slidewinder · Jan 28, 2012

Special J said:
"you americans" makes it clear hes not in the US

Yeah, I was looking for more detail as to what "one breast for $5" meant. Is "one breast" a split breast? Bone-in or not? A huge, pumped-up Tyson-style one or a more natural size?

SapientWolf · Jan 28, 2012

VALIS said:
I enjoy cooking, but it's not that much cheaper, it really isn't. Especially since I like seafood.

Meanwhile, a large pizza w/extra cheese is like 10 bucks and provides two days of food.

It costs like $3 worth of ingredients to make a homemade cheese pizza, and it tastes worlds better.

TheKaeptain · Jan 28, 2012

I cook for myself but I also eat out a lot. Eating out is the time I get to spend talking and chatting with friends. It's fun to eat out. Ebert had a great piece about how much he misses going out to dinner with people.

Dynedom · Jan 28, 2012

Funny about the Middle East: I'm currently in Dubai and eating out seems like the norm here.

MetatronM · Jan 28, 2012

slidewinder said:
Basically anywhere in the US, you can get boneless, skinless chicken breast for $2/lb

Err, I live in the US and a lb of boneless chicken breasts is way more than that here.

Also, cooking for 1 is a major pain in the ass. Nobody ever sells anything in the quantities I want to use, and not everything I want to cook works as a "cook a bunch now and eat it as several meals over the course of the week" kind of thing. Some do, but not everything. Cooking for 2 or more would be way way easier to manage.

I got really lazy for a long time and stopped cooking altogether, basically ordering in every night. Over the past month I've gone back to cooking for myself, though, mostly as a means of being healthier and saving a little bit of money (but honestly not really all that much, I've been finding). Tonight was the first night I ate a dinner that I didn't cook myself in about two weeks, which I'm rather pleased about.

Grilling up some salmon with a rice side dish tomorrow. Yum.

My lunches at work get paid for on the company's credit card, though, so those are always ordered in (we're a small office, so we just order lunch for everybody everyday).

slidewinder · Jan 28, 2012

MetatronM said:
Err, I live in the US and a lb of boneless chicken breasts is way more than that here.

on sale at one supermarket or another

Where do you live? I'll look at the ads for your supermarkets. I'm pretty sure that what I said does hold true in the most of the US.

edornob · Jan 28, 2012

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