This is something I hardly ever think about. I like to feed my family and guests, and not think about how much it costs. I think about the money when I’m at the store, but once I’m home, I don’t.
Last week, the school sent home a note that made me think about it a little more. They wanted to know how we felt about the quality of the school lunches and if we’d be willing to pay $3 if the lunches were better. (I know the expense doesn’t just cover food. It also pays for staff, utilities–there is overhead involved.)
$3 doesn’t sound like much at first glance. If we paid $3 per school child for lunches, it would cost us $300 a month. That’s for 5 school age children, 20 days of the month, for one meal of the day. 6″ black forest ham sub’s loaded with Veggies from Subway are $2.75. A McDouble with value fries and water is $2. (Not healthy, but $2.)
Our food budget for the month is $500. Darren gets an extra $30 for groceries to keep at work. So $530 all things considered. In a 31 day month, we eat 124 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.) If we paid exactly the same for each meal, it equals $.53 per person.
Some meals I spend more, some I spend less. For example a couple of eggs and a slice of toast costs $.37. A bowl of oatmeal is around $.10. Turkey burgers (just the burger) are $1 each plus fixings and side dishes. A cup of milk is $.18 add a couple of graham crackers for $.10 more. Grant eats a tiny amount compared to the older boys and Darren. So it’s not ever $.53 per meal per person…that’s just an average.
So how about you? Do you ever think about what that meal is costing you?
All the time, but it is tricky to do the calculations.
Yes every meal I make I calculate the cost of is it.
Shereen, This is impressive. I think I’ll do this more. The better information we have the more informed decisions we can make.
I think more about it when I see how expensive eating out is. We rarely go out as a family or as a couple, because the quantity, value, and quality are so much better when made at home. There is the matter of dishes, but still worth the cost savings for a much tastier meal. Since we never get dessert out, I sometimes consider a splurge of takeout dessert to go with our homemade meal. My oldest son takes his lunch, since going gluten free, and it is less expensive to only have him buy a milk for his lunch from the school. Usually my youngest, who I homeschool, gets one special lunch out a week. Often, we do the Sonic $1.99 Wednesday meal, though sometimes McDonald’s. Either one has few healthy options for me, so I end up spending more for me somewhere else, or waiting to eat later at home.
Yes! When comparing eating out, even fast food, with cooking at home, you can really see the value of eating at home. You both are really good cooks too 🙂
I just started thinking about it. I figure the price out and write it on the recipe card.
Pam, this is a great idea!
From Nicole: ALL OF THE TIME!! :).
The regular meals I make I sorta know the best price for the ingredients…so I stock up when they are cheapest and don’t really cost it out EVERYTIME I make it. Now…when I make a new recipe from say Pinterest….I will cost it out and balance with how much my family likes the new meal and see if it’s worth making again. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t. Kung Pao Crockpot Chicken…total win. I didn’t like the $3.59 bottle of Panda Express sauce price but when we order Chinese to go, it’s $60. $3.59 for a jar of sauce is cheap. :).
I can barely stand for all of us to go out to eat. When the bill comes, I cringe.
I would be interested in hearing what recipes your followers make during a Spending Freeze when the Pot Luck sign up sheet is passed around. We had Red and Green Banquet last month and praise God I signed up for brownies and HyVee had them for 88 cents two days later. So I took brownies and picnic eggs. Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw is another side dish I will often take to pot lucks.
Nicole
I have only calculated a few meals, but I really,really need to spend some time to do more.
I need to make a category or meals just based on budget, but that has a little variety.
Sometimes I think I’m doing great….and then I realize that my grocery bill is high because I just picked all the expensive meals…they’re not even necessarily our favorites.
Knowing is half the battle, Debbie. You are going to do great. Beef is the most expensive meat right now and chicken is the cheapest, followed by pork, then turkey (except ground turkey is less than turkey breast usually.) It’s usually the meat or cheese that makes a recipe expensive.
Our prices are so different here. (Ontario, Canada)
Ugh…lol… Yes..the beef prices are crazy…chicken too though 🙁
That’s too bad. Beef is my favorite, but we’ve learned to like ground turkey and chicken to save money. I don’t know what I’d do if it were all expensive.
Ohhh and cheese! So true. I love cheese and then I realize I just used $5 worth of cheese in one meal.