Mom's advice may no longer be true.
A national website says it's now cheaper to eat out at a restaurant than to eat the food you buy and prepare at home.
GoBankingRates, a national financial services website, says grocery prices have increased 38 percent in the last ten years. Due to those rising food costs, the low prices of fast food value menus, and special offers from restaurants, it's now cheaper to leave the cooking to others.
“When comparing the cost of a 10 oz. rib-eye dinner (with soup, salad and asparagus) from Outback Steakhouse with that of the homemade version, Outback was $2.53 cheaper,” says GoBankingRates contributor Stacey Bumpus. “And comparing seafood alfredo (with unlimited salad and breadsticks) at Olive Garden to making it at home, Olive Garden was $3.79 cheaper.”
According to statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the monthly cost of food for a family of four with two children between 6 and 11 years old under a low-cost plan has jumped from $601.50 in February 2003 to $830.30 in February 2013.
But even if the numbers are true, is it worth it?
Eating at home may not save as much money as it used to, but homecooked meals are often more nutritious and healthful, according to Bumpus.
She points out the rising obesity rates in the country, and notes unhealthy diets that contain excessive fat, salt and sugar are often found in fast food.
So, how to cook healthy meals at home while spending less? Bumpus suggests a few ideas:
- Buy in bulk
- Shop generic
- Use coupons
- Visit farmers markets
- Plant your own food
What do you think? Have you found it's cheaper to eat out than to cook at home? Does that change your family's eating habits? Are you concerned food at a restaurant is not as nutritious as what you can make at home? If so, though it may be cheaper, is it worth it in the long run? How do you save money on groceries?
Let us know in the comments. Then vote in our poll.