It maybe cheaper to dine out...

[Paslode]

Who would have thought that at some point in my life time it might be more affordable to dine out than to furnish your own food and cook at home. Amazing! Talk about death by a thousand cuts and rats in a cage!

When it becomes frugal to eat out

One of the most basic tenets in economics is the law of demand; consumers will buy more of a good when its price decreases and less when its price increases. This is becoming increasingly evident in the food industry. It is becoming cheaper, on a relative basis, for consumers to dine out than to buy their own groceries and cook at home. Consumers have responded accordingly; spending on food away from home has picked up while spending on food at home has slowed.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/commod...y-food-thought

[Dusty]

Doesn't apply to me. All I eat is fish from the pond across the road, deer ambushed at the feeder in my backyard, nutmunks from the woods further up the hill behind my house, catfish from the White River down the road, chicken and eggs from the coop, vegetables from the truck patch, water from the well and peaches, apples and nuts from the trees in the front yard. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haw.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Doesn't apply to me. All I eat is fish from the pond across the road, deer ambushed at the feeder in my backyard, nutmunks from the woods further up the hill behind my house, catfish from the White River down the road, chicken and eggs from the coop, vegetables from the truck patch, water from the well and peaches, apples and nuts from the trees in the front yard. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haw.

That's what I was aiming at, most folks these days depend on the Grocer or the local eating establishment and have little clue how to forage or grow their own stuff. And someday, if this trend continues grocers might be kicked to the side and a lot more folks will be bellying up at Mc'Ds or some other food factory for their 3 squares.

Secondly, I have read where BiG Governemt subsidizes Agriculture to keep the prices down. If that is true, we are going to be in a world of hurt if the subsidies end and the pricing scheme fails.

[mark46th]

I don't have room for a garden but the freezer does have wild pig, antelope and fish from the ocean that I harvested. We have already eaten the dove and quail. There is also some elk and venison, given to me from a friend's hunt. That being said, I don't have any Pastrami so I go out for that...

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Secondly, I have read where BiG Governemt subsidizes Agriculture to keep the prices down. If that is true, we are going to be in a world of hurt if the subsidies end and the pricing scheme fails.

Because the US Postal Service is workin' so good, and there really is a cost-benefit payback to ethanol production...

[Pete]

It depends on what you buy at the store.

5 good size steaks (OK - small), spuds, some rolls, a bag salad - and fixen's if you're out will set you back under $30. Throw in a six pack of beer - $40. Charcoal - one third of a $10 bag.

Texas Road House would run about $75 minus the Beer - Oh, plus tip.

I think it is just that people have forgotten how to cook from scratch - are used to packaged food - and want to get out for a "real home cooked meal".

[Sdiver]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Who would have thought that at some point in my life time it might be more affordable to dine out than to furnish your own food and cook at home. Amazing! Talk about death by a thousand cuts and rats in a cage!

I was going to say ..... Finally got your AARP card I see.

Those 50% off deals are GREAT.

[cat in the hat]

I have been learning to cook from scratch. I eat lots of food that most people would send back as inedible in a restaurant but am getting better. and i have a few recipes that turn out pretty good. plus i meet single moms at the store and they usually appreciate an offer to have dinner cooked for them.

i found out that if i cook for 4 people, the money goes farther and i have leftovers. not a glamorous life but i am well fed and eat healthy for about $8 a day. now times that by 4 and at $36 a day a family would not starve. this is cutting out the cost of luxuries like an occasional desert or snack and meals out.

i assume that as i get better at cooking, i will likely spend more money for quality ingredients but should still be lower than eating out all the time.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Doesn't apply to me. All I eat is fish from the pond across the road, deer ambushed at the feeder in my backyard, nutmunks from the woods further up the hill behind my house, catfish from the White River down the road, chicken and eggs from the coop, vegetables from the truck patch, water from the well and peaches, apples and nuts from the trees in the front yard. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haw.

I still make my pizzas with the venison my cajun SIL brings me after one of his hunting trips,yum,yum........... He has a fruit and vegetable stand at the farmers market and I get them fresh right from his garden.......

Big Teddy

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Who would have thought that at some point in my life time it might be more affordable to dine out than to furnish your own food and cook at home.

"When it becomes frugal to eat out

One of the most basic tenets in economics is the law of demand; consumers will buy more of a good when its price decreases and less when its price increases. This is becoming increasingly evident in the food industry. It is becoming cheaper, on a relative basis, for consumers to dine out than to buy their own groceries and cook at home. Consumers have responded accordingly; spending on food away from home has picked up while spending on food at home has slowed."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/commod...y-food-thought

Indeed, consumers for the most part think they are being frugal by dining out...However, if consumers knew of the actual food cost, food cost %, and mark-up that most establishments charge, they might re-think this clever anecdote.

In the old days, as refferenced so wisely in this thread already, growing and sustaing one's own produce and game were the smart thing to do in a soceity, weather the township was incorporated or not. Today however, soceity has lost that nugget of wisdom somewhere between the glamourous neon lights and candle darkened banquets of dimly lit highways.

JMHO...

Holly

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by echoes

In the old days, as refferenced so wisely in this thread already, growing and sustaing one's own produce and game were the smart thing to do in a soceity, weather the township was incorporated or not. Today however, soceity has lost that nugget of wisdom somewhere between the glamourous neon lights and candle darkened banquets of dimly lit highways.

JMHO...

Holly

Holly, that was very elegantly said.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by echoes

Today however, society has lost that nugget of wisdom

Should we ever find ourselves in need of something other than the 'You Fly I'll Buy' and the JIT business model, under the right circumstances that lost nugget of wisdom would to lead to a world of hurt for many.

Due to ongoing debachery in the financial sector the possibility is a bit to close to home.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Pete

I think it is just that people have forgotten how to cook from scratch - are used to packaged food - and want to get out for a "real home cooked meal".

Agree wholeheartedly. Cooking from scratch also allows you to be in control of the spicing, sodium levels etc. You can make simple but delicious food fairly inexpensively, and treat yourself now and then to some really fabulous ingredients.

[Buffalobob]

A pound of elk or antelope costs me about $30 to $50.

The deer I killed on Monday cost me about $8 a pound.

I tend to agree with Pete except to add the laziness factor of people being unwilling to spend the time to cook or fix ones lunch before leaving for work.

What we had for dinner last night was venison steak, mashed potatoes from real potatoes and green beans. Tonight I cooked biscuits made from scratch and sausage gravy.

[The Reaper]

I do not think that the author understands cause and effect.

The fact that more people are eating out may be due to a number of causes, but saving money is probably not even in the top ten because it is a false savings, since in a restaurant, you are paying for the food, preparation cost, serving expense, and overhead.

TR