Restaurant Food at Home

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

13 May 2008 09:37 AM

Since eating at home is less expensive than is eating out at a restaurant, it is amazing to me how all of we frugal people eat out and how frequently we do it. My family is no exception to this. In fact, I cringe every time we go to our favorite family restaurant. My kids usually offer a kids meal of Macaroni and cheese. It comes with a few slices of apple (about half of a small one), and there is no drink included, although it does include a small soft serve cone. These meals cost $4.99 each and contain about a third of a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The drinks are another $1.29 each. Let's times this by three for a total cost of $15.94, not including tax, tip and transportation to get there.

At home, this same meal might cost me the following: $.25 for the box of mac and cheese, $.25 for the added butter, about $.16 for the milk, about $1.62 for three large glasses of chocolate milk, and approximately $.38 for three store brand ice cream sandwiches. My total for this meal at home is approximately $2.66, not including the electricity used for the stove. $15.94-$2.66= $13.28 profit.

Here is another easy breakfast that is often bought in a restaurant but can be easily fixed at home to save you quite a bit. Check out the Food Blog for more ideas.

Egg McMuffins: Toast an english muffin and then heat up a nonstick pan. Crack an egg in the pan, allow it to cook sunny side up and then flip it over. Add, salt, pepper and cheese. Cook until done. Meanwhile, butter the toasted muffin, add the egg/cheese and wrap it all up in aluminum foil. It will stay hot once wrapped and is ideal for grabbing breakfast on the go. Add grilled ham (heated in the same pan with a little butter) or sausage, if you like.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

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Reducing the Refrigerator

How Much Does It Cost to Eat at Home?

Three Ways Your Crockpot Saves Money

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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FrugalFanatic (20) 13 May 2008 09:52 AM

You can even do the breakfast sandwich in the microwave! Scramble the egg, add a splash of milk and s&p, microwave 30-60 seconds (keep an eye on it). A glass measure is the perfect size - it comes out the same diameter as the muffin!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 13 May 2008 11:03 AM

Great idea!

jonesx6 (1606) 14 May 2008 05:53 AM

We don't really eat out anymore either. Before the boys got older they could order off the kids menu, not anymore. They all eat off the adult menu and the prices are double the price on the kids menu. When we go to a fast food restaurant it costs our family between thirty and forty dollars!! Yikes!! Pizza is a much more affordable eating out food. lol Laura

Tashi (1013) 26 May 2008 04:44 PM

I love the breakfast sandwich idea. I do pretty much the same thing. But I often use a cheesy bread square from Super Target. I slice it, and place it cut side down in a buttered skillet, and heat/toast for a short bit. I got this idea after seeing a coffee shop guy in Connecticut prepare my bagel like this. Otherwise, my toster oven works great too. Yummy idea, Ms. Author! :-)