Cheaper eating out vs. staying in?

[Orangesanlemons]

Same meal at the pub would normally range from £5.00 - £10.00 per head depending.

So taking the cheapest cost of eating out VS the factoring in of the butter, salt, ketchup, pepper, milk it is still cheaper...

Again, I like cooking so would rather (nine times out of ten) invest my time preparing something than waiting for someone else to prepare it.

Absolutely, not saying otherwise and good on you for doing so. I was pointing out a few hidden costs and what you would expect to pay for the same meal in an establishment running (very roughly) a 65% gross profit on food costs.

But there's no way you'd get the meal for anywhere near a fiver eating out - you might get crappy sausages and mash pellets, but not the ingredients you listed, even allowing for trade prices and economy of scale.

 

[catrina]

Cooking for one can be way more expensive than a takeaway (and also harder to use up spare ingredients, especially if you're making something nice with lots of fresh veggies and herbs and things)

That's a false economy. First, if you plan well you can easily use all the ingredients or freeze the leftovers. Not doing so is like ordering an extra meal at a restaurant and not eating it, be sure you're comparing like with like.

Also, if you add up your meals over the course of a year, or even a month, the little bit extra you might spend on making yourself a nice meal will be balanced out by the amount you will save by not spending £5 on a salad that costs £2 to make, or £10 on a spag bol that costs £10 to make but that you get 10 meals out of.

 

[innit]

I have to admit I do not bother if it just for me. However, having one permanently ravenous child and boyfriend has helped in that matter.

No, me neither, but my boyfriend has to work late often and has lots of work social do's and if I am at home studying it can get a bit much having cheese on toast for the third night in a row! sometimes I just give in and get a cheapy takeaway.

 

[Orangesanlemons]

But just one meal though - whereas his fed 4

Still the same per-portion cost of £1.79 (plus a few add-ons). Rough rule of thumb? Times your cost price by four.

 

[innit]

That's a false economy. First, if you plan well you can easily use all the ingredients or freeze the leftovers. Not doing so is like ordering an extra meal at a restaurant and not eating it, be sure you're comparing like with like.

I don't really think it is that easy if there's only one of you and you don't want to eat really repetitious meals (or have a busy life whereby you might only get to eat at home a few nights a week anyway)

 

[catrina]

I didn't say it was easier, the question was whether it's cheaper. Of course it's easier to eat out.

 

[_angel_]

I don't really think it is that easy if there's only one of you and you don't want to eat really repetitious meals (or have a busy life whereby you might only get to eat at home a few nights a week anyway)

Unless you've got tonnes of freezer space to make more. Cooking for one, you can't buy a 1/4 of an onion for example.

I'd like more freezer space, I'd cook tonnes more when I was in the mood.

 

[seeformiles]

As long as you shop carefully (go to the market, avoid top brands, make your own dumplings, puppadoms, etc.), know your way around a kitchen and know how to make stuff stretch further (e.g. bulk out meat with veg and noodles, etc.) - eating in will always be cheaper. If you only shop in M&S, Waitrose, etc. then it might be a closer call.

 

[Badgers]

Absolutely, not saying otherwise and good on you for doing so. I was pointing out a few hidden costs and what you would expect to pay for the same meal in an establishment running (very roughly) a 65% gross profit on food costs.

There are always hidden costs I guess factor in washing up liquid as well!!!

But there's no way you'd get the meal for anywhere near a fiver eating out - you might get crappy sausages and mash pellets, but not the ingredients you listed, even allowing for trade prices and economy of scale.

There are places pubs etc that do deals (Two meals for £10) but these are often at limited times.

I do like eating out but my wife and I will often do a pub meal which consists of 4 pints and a cheeseburger shared between us. The cost for this (assuming burger is about £7.50) will be nearly £20 which we could do a hell of a lot with at home.

12 cans of Guinness = £12
2 organic burgers = £4.00
Oven chips = £2.00

Just a better deal

 

[Mrs Miggins]

If you're cooking for one, I think it works easiest if you can take food to work for your lunch, then you can make 2 portions and have one for dinner and the second for lunch the following day.

You just need to be a bit creative...you can't buy 1/4 onion no but you can buy a small onion and just use some judgement. You might throw a bit away but it bit of a small onion would amount to pennies. Not buying veggies that come pre-packed in large amounts helps as well. Cabbages are a bit of an issue though being generally massive

 

[Biddlybee]

2 packs of 6 large organic sausages from The Giggly Pig Company = £2.50

Where did you get them from?

Time is never free!!!!

Eh?

I don't really think it is that easy if there's only one of you and you don't want to eat really repetitious meals (or have a busy life whereby you might only get to eat at home a few nights a week anyway)

It is pretty easy... I've always cooked for myself, make massive portions (a whole lasagne, vat of soup, casserole), have it for tea one night, freeze the rest for those nights that you're too tired/feeling lazy then the left over ingredients can be used to make a different meal. Still do this now that I live with the Cptn... find it too hard to cook for just 2 people - so always end up freezing portions.

 

[_angel_]

As long as you shop carefully (go to the market, avoid top brands, make your own dumplings, puppadoms, etc.), know your way around a kitchen and know how to make stuff stretch further (e.g. bulk out meat with veg and noodles, etc.) - eating in will always be cheaper. If you only shop in M&S, Waitrose, etc. then it might be a closer call.

How do you make your own poppadoms!!!

tell me tell me tell me.

I;d like to make chapattis too, but I seem to remember you need a hot plate that my oven does not possess

 

[seeformiles]

How do you make your own poppadoms!!!

tell me tell me tell me.

I;d like to make chapattis too, but I seem to remember you need a hot plate that my oven does not possess

I should have said deep fry your own puppadoms (you get about 20 unfried ones for about 50p!)

As for chappatis (& Puppadoms!) - go to your nearest Asian supermarket (If you're in Leeds - Maumoniat in Hyde Park is probably the best) and get a load of chappati flour and a griddle (same shop - but I got a good one in Morrison's for about £4)

 

[Badgers]

One link for all London people who want to eat out more:

http://www.tastelondon.co.uk/

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It costs £69.95 per year but Metro newspaper is offering all readers a free one month trial to taste london the capitals largest diners club. A taste london membership entitles you to 50% off the total food bill at over 500 restaurants, and your one month trial is completely cost and commitment free. For participating restaurants visit www.tastelondon.co.uk/metro.

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To take advantage of this free trial simply email [email protected] or call free on 0800 5677 241, you will need to provide taste london with the following information Name/Address Telephone number and email address. This offer is strictly for new members and limited to one free membership per household.

 

[Badgers]

Where did you get them from?

The farmers market at Kennington Church on Saturdays from 10am-3pm

They are usually 4 packs for a tenner (loads of good flavours) but towards the end of the day (if you are charming and have a winning smile) you can get good deals.

They are great sausages

 

[catrina]

Looking through the list on that taste thing, there is a major catch in that nearly all of the restaurants the deal isn't valid on the weekends or holidays.

 

[Badgers]

Looking through the list on that taste thing, there is a major catch in that nearly all of the restaurants the deal isn't valid on the weekends or holidays.

Sorry, I have let you all down again

On the other hand I tend to cook more at weekends and during holidays as I have more time on my hands.
On a working day I am never home before 18:30 and am pretty shattered.
The option to eat cheaply at a local pub/restaurant is a nice option to have.

 

[pinkmonkey]

It depends whether you cook all the time (which I do), I don' t find I have to get special ingredients in because I usually have them already. Because I cook Indian, Thai, Italian, Chinese or English on rotation, pretty much all the time, the ingredients get used up and I don't find I have to chuck stuff away. If theres more of an ingredient than I need (say mahoosive bunch of coriander), I'd take that into account so the next meal or two has it in. I plan what we're going to eat for the week, then I go shop. We're on a tight budget, so I find it works better this way and nothing gets unused or chucked.

 

[Biddlybee]

The farmers market at Kennington Church on Saturdays from 10am-3pm

They are usually 4 packs for a tenner (loads of good flavours) but towards the end of the day (if you are charming and have a winning smile) you can get good deals.

They are great sausages

They are bloody lovely sausages, just never seen them anywhere that cheap... will have to practice my charm and check it out

 

[Badgers]

They are bloody lovely sausages, just never seen them anywhere that cheap... will have to practice my charm and check it out

Still a bargain at four packs for a tenner!!

 

[Biddlybee]

That's true, but anything for a bargain eh

 

[innit]

I didn't say it was easier, the question was whether it's cheaper. Of course it's easier to eat out.

You said, "if you plan well you can easily use all the ingredients"

I was saying I don't think it is that easy to use all the ingredients, as per angel's comment about 1/4 onion.

My freezer is tiny, it holds a couple of ice trays, some frozen peas and spinach and... not much else.

 

[Biddlybee]

In one of my houses I bought an extra freezer, because I knew the money I'd save by making large portions and freezing it would pay off in the end.

3/4 of an onion will last for quite a while in the fridge

 

[zenie]

The cost for this (assuming burger is about £7.50) will be nearly £20 which we could do a hell of a lot with at home.

12 cans of Guinness = £12
2 organic burgers = £4.00
Oven chips = £2.00

Just a better deal

We need to eat communally more, it'd make far better financial sense

If you're cooking for one, I think it works easiest if you can take food to work for your lunch, then you can make 2 portions and have one for dinner and the second for lunch the following day.

Agreed.

The option to eat cheaply at a local pub/restaurant is a nice option to have.

Are they valid at any of our locals mate?

 

[Biddlybee]

We need to eat communally more, it'd make far better financial sense

= invite me for tea

LOL

 

[Badgers]

We need to eat communally more, it'd make far better financial sense

We should!

You bring the sausages and a few cans
I will pick up the rest of the ingredients, a few cans and cook

Actually, fuck it.....

We will spend most of the summer lazing around in the park, eating picnics and stuff

 

[Biddlybee]

I was thinking about barbies
Today would be the perfect day for one!

 

[Badgers]

= invite me for tea

LOL

Naturally we will all descend on the people with the biggest flat

 

[zenie]

= invite me for tea

LOL

I just did telepathy!!

We will spend most of the summer lazing around in the park, eating picnics and stuff

Does Ginger Pig do Pork Pies?

 

[Biddlybee]

Naturally we will all descend on the people with the biggest flat

zenie's flat is bigger than mine

I just did telepathy!!

I know... I was saying your suggestion to Badgers was a subtle hint to get invite to tea