Saved $40 in one week by cooking all meals at home

I usually grab fast food for lunch and dinner 3 times a week, but last Monday I decided to meal prep 5 days worth of chicken and rice for $25 total. By Saturday, I realized I hadn't spent a dime on eating out and had an extra $40 in my checking account than normal. Anyone else surprised how fast those small takeout trips add up?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse_williams6223h ago

Blow through that $40 fast on just a couple drive-thru runs, right? I started doing this last year and it blew my mind how much I was wasting. Chicken and rice gets boring but you can switch up the seasoning and it feels totally different. The real savings hit when you realize you're not dropping $8 on a combo meal plus an extra $4 for a drink and fries. I bet you'll notice even more next week when you look at your bank account.

mary_foster9218h ago

Hear me out though, I actually kind of disagree. I tried meal prepping like @the_elliot suggested and I just couldn't stick with it. That Sunday afternoon setup felt like a chore, plus by Wednesday I was sick of eating the same thing. I'd rather spend a bit more grabbing a fresh burrito bowl or a sandwich from the deli down the street. The variety keeps me from giving up and ordering pizza halfway through the week. I know it's pricier, but I actually save more long run because I don't waste a whole container of sad chicken I never ate.

the_elliot22h ago

Honestly meal prepping on Sundays saved me from blowing cash on lunch every day.

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