Why Do People Eat Take-Aways When It's Cheaper To Make It Yourself?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
June 3, 2012 7:33pm CST
A good example of this is fish and chips, the only take-away meal we have during the week. John buys allsorts of crap for his plate but buys me battered fish and chips that costs well over £6. Granted, there are chippies that are cheaper than that but ours is on the street corner so it's a "no-brainer" lol. I've no idea how much his meal is but it will be a bit cheaper I think as he doesn't have fish. So, that's around £11-£12 for the two of us.
At the supermarket we can get 4 massive frozen haddock fish fillets for £3. So there are two meals for a start. We don't normally have chips with them (and I don't fry the fish) but, even so, new potatoes vary from £1 to £1.35 a bag and frozen Bird's Eye peas are a bit more than that..and we re-use a massive zip bag that we re-fill so we're not having to keep buying the larger packs each time.
So, the fact a little bag of spuds will last us two days and the same with the peas and fish..we're getting two meals for the price of ONE take-away, not two..if you see what I mean.
I realise there are single Mums and people who work all day that do not have the time to cook..but if I made fish, new potatoes and peas it would take me 40 minutes tops from start to finish (after pre-heating the oven) so, what's your excuse NOT to cook and is it actually cheaper where you are to buy take-away meals rather than to cook your own food from scratch?
3 people like this
31 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
5 Jun 12
It depends of various elements, the first is that some people have more money than time, and think that their time is worth better the price of a take-away meal. Personally I cook only for pleasure, and some days I just don't want to cook, and I buy junk/ready-to-eat food, by laziness.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
5 Jun 12
This is definitely a factor for some people, and I used to be one of them. I did not have a lot of time to spend with my family between working and commuting, but we were not short on money. Therefore, it made more sense to get dinner that was already prepared and have more family time to spend together doing other things that were far more fun than cooking. Of course we did not do it all the time, but we did it usually once a week or so.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
6 Jun 12
LOL! You are right that deli departments are not so bad in a pinch, especially if it is too hot or you are too lazy to cook. Of course, I think that most things made at home taste better than the stuff that you get from the deli, but again, if you do not have to put in the effort when you are not in the mood, then that automatically makes anything that you didn't have to work for taste better, doesn't it?
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
5 Jun 12
It is generally less expensive to buy the food and make it yourself. On the other hand, you admitted that when you buy the fish and potatoes you do not cook them the same way as they are cooked when you get them out, and I think that definitely factors into the equation. You might like the fish cooked differently ... or perhaps you just don't know how to fry up the fish and potatoes the way the restaurant does ... but sometimes the only way a person knows how to get a particular dish to taste the way they like it is to order it from a restaurant.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
6 Jun 12
When I go out to dine or get food to go from a restaurant, then I always try to order something that I do not or cannot get at home, because otherwise I think that it is pretty much wasted money unless the dish really tastes a lot better out than what I can make at home.
There are some dishes that really should be eaten in the restaurant, because they do not taste right after they have been put in the "to go" containers
, but there are some that taste just as good ... perhaps even better ... once you get home and can relax in the comfort of your own space.
, but there are some that taste just as good ... perhaps even better ... once you get home and can relax in the comfort of your own space.
.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
4 Jun 12
I rarely get takeaways. Spending eight quid on a pizza when I could scratch cook one which tasted better for a fraction of the price is just daft. The cost of fish and chips is horrific. Even a portion of chips is a quid, and it's just a few potatoes. I do appreciate the business owners have all sorts of other costs to pay, and their profit too, but it's just not something I'm willing to part with cash for. Call me mean, many do!
On the rare occasions I buy a takeaway as a treat, normally when visiting family, I'll buy a Chinese or an Indian as it's not something I could make myself. As it's a rare treat it really is a treat.
I suppose the reasons people buy takeaways are manifold. Some people just can't cook. Or don't have cooking facilities. Or have got into the habit.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
11 Jun 12
Yes, I do. We have volunteers here in their early twenties who struggle with chopping up veg. It's horrifying. We also had a Canadian woman in her 40s who was surprised when I asked her to go and get me some potatoes as I was planning to make chips.
I think cooking lessons in school may sparks interest, but to be honest it's something that really ought to be taught at home.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Do you think (as I do) that COMPULSORY Cooking Lessons should be brought back into schools, preferably at a very young age? Some kids don't even know where their chips come from and when they're confronted with potatoes it's like they're something from Outer Space as the only potatoes they have seen are shaped like chips and come out of a bag!
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
5 Jun 12
laziness is my biggest excuse. That and exhaustion. I just do not want to have to bother with heating up the oven and preparing everything.
I have been making several meals on sundays, freezing and then reheating so I am doing a bit better on that end.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Yes, I will probably do that once I have a job, otherwise, like you I shall be too tired to make anything from scratch every night.
Good for you...and thanks for the tip, I appreciate it.
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Me and my fiance can't really cook to well, and between me taking care of our twins, and her working sometimes we just don't feel like cooking. If we were to buy extra food to cook, a lot of it would just go to waste because we prefer easy meals like TV dinners. I know we could save money buy making our own food, but it would be cruel and unusual punishment for the both of us. LOL.
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
4 Jun 12
It's not right to force people to eat their own bad cooking.
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
6 Jun 12
Yes the only time we really eat in is when the budget is tight. Then its Heamburger Helper, and Pork Chops. Thats our specialties.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
I can't be doing with that Costa Coffee either. No way would I buy ANYTHING from there but then again I hate coffee but I do know people are getting ripped off on a daily basis.
Why don't they take in a flask of the stuff to work? It would save them a fortune!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Well I can't give such a fine example as you have but I KNOW here in the USA we could save a lot in comparison. Fast food places are not only unhealthy but expensive, and going to a sit down restaurant to get take away is just about the same. Combine coupons and specials, if you plan the meals out you save even more. There are people who come into my store, plan their meals and such, have coupons to go with it and save a lot.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
A previous MyLotter said that it's more expensive to buy veggies and the like so take-aways are the norm. Wouldn't it be better for the foods I mention to be naturally cheap rather than having to use coupons to get money off? That concept is alien to me although food banks are becoming more popular over here.
@kukueye (1759)
• Malaysia
4 Jun 12
I guess the convenience of packing food while on the go , maybe taste better , no need to wash cooking utensils and such.however , if i got wife or girlfriend to cook for me , i will not take away food too. Yes it is much cheaper to cook yourself.But somtime it tiring , laziness , too late too cook , no stuffs at home or just want to relax , or self cooking is boring.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
I must admit I do have more time on my hands due to not having a job. If I did perhaps this desire to cook wouldn't be as strong, who knows?
@Guit08 (597)
• United States
5 Jun 12
I know what you mean! I think that one of the reasons people eat out is because they might like that kind of meal from that place. Also, for them it is faster and they don't have to spend time buying and preparing the food. However, going to the grocery store and buying fresh ingredients will end up giving you a healthier meal than the fast food/take-away meal!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
I agree. I'm also wondering if they are eating the SAME take-away meal every night? Wow, that would bore me rigid!
@pepai123456 (879)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
I think its because of the fast paced life we are experiencing now and people are just too in a hurry to cook for themselves and some people have hard time learning to cook(busy). Well we usually balance stuff so that there will be a time for us to cook our own food (which usually happens a lot) and if emergency comes we will buy(sometimes~rarely). But now a days I have learned that sometimes their are dish that is cheaper to be made at home and sometimes costly to be made at home.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Yes, it depends on what you are making on the costs involved, I agree with you there.
@Poeticwings (8)
• Puerto Rico
5 Jun 12
It all depends on the person. Some people are too busy to set foot in a kitchen, and it is easier for them to just spend the money and get something there and now. Other people aren't very talented in the kitchen; some can't even boil water. Others just don't want to learn. I agree, though, making the food yourself is much tastier -- you can add or take away depending on what you like. There is so much that can be done and so many variations that you can create. It will also save you a lot of money; sure there is worked involved, but I love finally getting to eat something that I've spent the time trying to make.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Round 'em up and make 'em learn cookery, is what I say..I think!
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
4 Jun 12
well janey1966, you have made a good point here. while it is indeed more economical to cook at home than to eat out or have takeaways, sometimes it is just more fun.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
4 Jun 12
Either too lazy or can't cook or both. I almost never buy takeaway food and always prepare my own food from scratch - never buy ready meals or those bags of rice 'n things that you heat up in the microwave either. That must be the most expensive rice on the planet!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Uncle Ben's! Yuck! I mean, I don't even eat rice but I know the stuff you mean..and there never looks enough for one person, never mind two or three. If you make it from scratch you have more control over portions AND you're not getting ripped off either.
It's a no-brainer really, isn't it?
@adforme (2114)
•
4 Jun 12
My excuse not to cook is convenience. I do not always feel like cooking, and when that happens, fast food is a great alternative. Don't get me wrong. I hate the idea of getting fast food, but when I do, it is what I really enjoy. I love Burger King, Pizza hut(for pizza and wings), and KFC. Looking for an excuse to go there right now. He he he he.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Yes indeed it is cheaper, but for some people they do not have the time or want to take the effort. Or could burn cereal in the case of some people. Of course, there are many alternatives out there, where only a person who is completely inept could really mess it up, that are very cheap. I mean, just stick it in the microwave, set the time for the right amount.
Of course, it is just much easier to stop in and get something already made up, because there are just times where we cannot honestly be bothered more often than not. It is rather cheaper, I think we can all agree about that. I think that money is the furthest thing from the mind of a lot of people when they are hungry. It isn't from mine but it is for some people, who just want to eat and eat five minutes ago.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Very true. The people I see walking down our street then coming back with a take-away of some description..it's quite a number. And the people buying them are rather rotund as well..but then again I am too and I'm eating healthier than they are.
It's not fair!
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
4 Jun 12
I think why people tend to eat take-aways instead of making it themselves is mostly because it saves trouble.After all,people don't eat take-aways every day.If my memory serves me well,You usually buy battered fish and chips every Friday.But then again,home made battered fish or chips and what not seem to be cheaper than take-aways, if you count in flour,cooking oil,salt,spice,fuel,etc. It isn't cheap that much.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Initially, yes, the outlay is more but once the ingredients are in I can make fish and chips more than once.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
4 Jun 12
Because people are in a hurry they like to save time, because they can't cook (how many people are still able to cook, learned it at home?), they are lazy. Besides of cheaper it's also way more healthy to cook yourself. Also I do think this is part of the culture you are raised. In many countries it's normal to cook yourself, like in mine.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Well, it used to be like that over here but - over time, we've got more like America. Gone are the days when it was just a fish and chip shop on a corner..now it's a Burger King, Dominoe's Pizza plus the independents..all within walking distance of our house. It's far too EASY to go in these places but I'd much rather make my own meals as my Mum does, so I'm influenced by her. Hubby, on the other hand, is influenced by his mother..who hardly ever cooks (or when she does, it's out of a box) and she is only a bit younger than my Mum.
My brother lives with his son and they hardly ever cook anything. Men, in general (the ones I know personally) can't be bothered cooking and when they do they are known to burn their house down, usually by a frying pan they've forgotten about on the hob!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 Jun 12
Yes, I suppose the time factor plays a part in the choices people make..I never thought of that!
