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IHOP Vs. Homemade

Do you think it’s cheaper to eat out then have to grocery shop then have to cook your food at home? I used to be one of those people. When I was in college I would just run to McDonald’s honestly believing that $10 a meal was much better than having to make dinner at home.

In all honesty I’ve never sat down and figured out how much a McDonald’s meal is compared to the same thing at home. I just noticed that after I started eating more at home that my bank accounts balance was much higher at the end of each month.

Recently I went to IHOP and when they sat the food down, all I could think is “Why are we paying for someone to make this for us when I could make it all at home and for so much less?” So I snapped a picture of our food. When I got home I got out my price book, I wanted to figure out how much it would cost me to make the same exact IHOP meal at home.


My Meal
Bacon 3 pieces $.38
Eggs 2- $.25
French toast 4 pieces- $.24
Egg 1- $.13

Chevy Man’s meal.
Bacon 3 pieces $.38
Eggs 2- $.25
French toast 4 pieces- $.24
Egg 1- $.13

Total for at home IHOP Meal $2.00

Total at IHOP before Coupon $22.24
Total at IHOP after coupon(had a coupon for buy one meal get one free) $13.77

Wow! What a difference, that really makes me want to never eat out again!

How do you feel about the cost of eating out?
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Comments

  1. AngieMarch 5, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    It does get very expensive to eat out. We only eat out once a week, usually either Fri. or Sat. night. I need to get better about what I buy at the grocery store 'cause I probably spend way too much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 5, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    We really are going to have to just stop eating out all together. It just drains our wallets way too fast!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DebbieMarch 5, 2010 at 4:40 PM

    Its scarey when you start figuring out the cost? We use to eat out a lot until we got down to living on Wendell's disability. Even cooking every night and doing it from scratch we still can't make ends meet. If it weren't for the local food bank, I don't know what we would do.

    Take Care,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 5, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    I am so glad that cities have food banks across the country. whenever we have extra money or whatever they need we try to donate. honestly we have only donated a few times but I want to help out when we can. Someday everyone may need to use their local food bank. I'm so glad you were able to have that resource.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MelissaMarch 7, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    We eat out about once a week, and always with a coupon! It's a luxury not to have to cook or wash dishes. We try not to go out for foods that I can make at home. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. SandraMarch 9, 2010 at 3:36 AM

    I am the same way! I can't even enjoy eating out because all I"m thinking about it how much I could have saved by cooking this at home.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMarch 9, 2010 at 10:49 AM

    Sandra- I really enjoy eating out, well I should say I used too.. But it is just so much cheaper at home...

    Melissa- I think that is the reason I enjoy eating out. Not having to wash dishes!!

    ReplyDelete

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