Picture this: no more spontaneous decisions like, “Let’s grab a bite at the deli tonight,” or “Just call up Marco’s for pizza.” Gone are the days of last-minute stops at fast-food joints when the kids are starving and time is short. Instead, we’ve embraced the art of quick home cooking: think pasta, microwave meals, and whatever leftovers we have. I’ve learned to prioritize meal prep in my day, no matter how unenthusiastic the kids might be about eating at any random moment.
This transition hasn’t been as simple as swiping a debit or credit card for a meal. We used to dine out frequently, like many families do. Research from The Simple Dollar shows that Americans typically consume around 4.2 “commercially prepared” meals weekly. Our family was definitely above average, often indulging in five or six meals from restaurants or takeout — and I’m not counting meals at grandma’s house.
With three kids in tow, each meal at our local drive-thru or even our favorite pad Thai spot would cost us at least $20 for lunch. Dinner typically escalated to between $40 and $60. My husband estimated our weekly expenditure on takeout and restaurant dining was around $200 — a substantial amount when you add it all up. A quick stop at Target for a drink and treats for the kids would easily set us back ten bucks. A fast-food run before sports practice? At least $20 gone. The cost of dining out was mounting rapidly, draining hundreds from our budget each week.
So, we made a drastic decision: we quit eating out cold turkey, with no gradual phase-out. Admittedly, we still indulge occasionally, like ordering pizza after a long week when the kids have sports, but other than that, we’ve cut out restaurants, delivery, and fast food completely.
How Did We Make the Change?
First, we examined our spending habits and were shocked by the results. This prompted us to start meal planning. My partner has always been a decent cook, but we needed more than just elaborate meals; we needed quick options for busy nights.
It turns out that reducing our dining-out frequency means embracing some frozen foods like chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and steam-in-the-bag veggies. Our kids have a particular fondness for ramen noodles, and we’ve made a habit of utilizing leftovers. When my partner does cook, he prepares hearty meals like pulled pork or mac and cheese that last a few days. The Instant Pot has also been a lifesaver, allowing us to whip up meals quickly. We’ve even developed our go-to fast dinners: mine is nachos, while he opts for beans and rice. It’s not about being frugal; it’s about convenience.
We also started brewing our own sweet tea to replace those frequent Starbucks visits, which further cut costs.
Adjusting to This New Routine
Admittedly, it was a bit challenging to adapt to not dining out. We developed some strategies to keep our active kids from crashing after sports; for instance, we whip up milkshakes with milk, protein powder, and stevia (with sprinkles for fun!). I had to carve out time for lunches, which was a hurdle since I’m not a fan of cooking.
Planning for meals became essential. My partner assists by reminding me what to prepare for the kids’ lunches each morning, which helps keep everything organized. Knowing what to expect also eases the process for the kids.
The moments I miss dining out the most are when we’re all exhausted and need to eat immediately. The kids’ protein shakes come in handy during those times, while my partner and I typically munch on nachos or whatever leftovers are available. We’ve learned to keep an ample supply of leftovers to make life easier.
Yes, cooking at home results in more dishes, leading to more frequent runs of the dishwasher, which can be a hassle, but it’s a small price to pay for the savings we’ve achieved.
How to Break the Dining Out Habit
- Make a Plan: Start with a well-stocked refrigerator. Know what your family enjoys eating and be realistic about your cooking capabilities. It’s tough to quit eating out entirely.
- Frequent Grocery Runs: Be prepared to visit the store regularly, especially after work to pick up items for dinner.
- Quick Meal Hacks: When time is tight, my 10-year-old helps me with simple sandwiches, which we can eat on the go. Ramen is quick and a family favorite, especially with a side of steamed veggies.
- Prepare for Outings: Bring your own food for trips. We pack sandwiches for park visits and healthy snacks for longer drives to avoid unhealthy eating out options.
- Keep Track of Savings: When we realized we were saving a couple hundred dollars weekly by eating at home, it became easier to resist the temptation of fast food.
You can definitely manage this shift. It may be challenging at first, but the financial benefits are significant—almost $1,000 a month! Even if you only reduce your dining out by half, you’ll still save a substantial amount.
Of course, we still occasionally give in to temptations, but those instances are becoming less frequent. It’s well worth the effort.
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In summary, we successfully transitioned from frequent dining out to cooking at home, which has been both a financial blessing and a healthier choice for our family.