 Image via : Papa Razzi1 |
My family and I decided to carry out and experiment over August and September. We did this because every year without fail, our customer base dips beginning September. I don't know why - maybe it's the weather, maybe people just don't like eating in September, maybe there are lots of holidays in September. Whatever the reason, Sara, Sam, Mum and I decided to prepare ourselves for the slow months by trying to save as much as possible. I suggested that we try eating at home as much as possible.
You know how it goes. Even though we're in the food business and there is ALWAYS delicious, home cooked food at the end of the day, the kids (me included) like to eat out once in a while. Well that "once in a while" eventually became :
- KFC on Friday afternoons after school
- Wednesday evening at the Food Court because Sam would come home from school activities late and it's easier to just eat out and let someone else wash up
- Saturday dinner after our regular trip to the mall.
- Sunday dinner because it's Sunday
Then there would always be one excuse or another to grab a snack once or twice a week, and these snacks would eventually end up costing as much as a dinner for four.
We decided that other than our weekend meals, we would eat at home. Each meal we ate at home allowed us to save at least RM25 to RM45. At the end of two months of eating at home, I calculated (based on our average eat-out bill, 3 times per week) that we saved RM905! Whoa! That's RM450 a month just for eating out and snacking. And that's only eating at my kids' favorite budget places like McDonalds, KFC etc. Imagine how much we would be spending if we were in the habit of snacking at more fancy restaurants.
So the whole point of this post is this. If you think you've got it tough trying to make ends meet, try looking at what you're spending to fill your tummy.
We've decided to keep eating in. At an average of RM400 savings a month, it adds up to RM4800 a year! That money would be better off in our holiday piggy bank or in the children's education fund.
Think about it. Eat in and save. It justs takes a little self-control!
you're damn right about that!!! i've been persistent about eating home with the kids too because each meal costs about more or less RM10 to RM15 for 4 people as opposed to RM20 - RM30 (fast food only, ok?) each meal....
add it all up, at the end of the day, a big fat hole in the wallet leh....
good advice!
Yo da man(gurl)...Marsha.
Actually, for us eating at home is more or less "free" because there's always one or two portions left over after serving all our customers, so technically this comes under "business expense". We'd save a lot more if we ate in weekends too, but I gotta give the chief cook a break or she'll go bonkers.
yeah andrew I agree, eat less outside can save load.. I oledi start cutin down on fast food.. can reali save a lot !! especially with the food price keep on increasing nowdays
great blog u got here by the way 
yeah... but my Big Mac. I miss my Big Mac!
Love your MyBlogLog Icon by the way...
unfortunately what i know to cook is really limited. soup is the easiest for me. i think it's time i learn some la sau hou choi.
hey, andrew, long time no see ya. how are you getting on lately?
Hey..ey Jenny... Miss Super eBay!
Been too busy for my own good! Anyone who ever said that working at home is easy should try it out for a month. At least the school holidays are just a few days away... no need to wake up at 5.30am!
Come back to blog land Andrew, we miss your posts here in NYC!
Hi,
Eating at home can save you a lot of money. I see it when I have time to prepare my own meals - the amount I am able to save is great.
thanks