What's your standard amount for how much is too much to spend for a meal??

[SpAmRaY]

Ok I know this can be all over the place and has entirely too many variables but hang on....


Typical, week night at home with the family. (Not your fancy out of town business expensed trip )

What's your standard amount for how much is too much to spend for a meal?


I know there's a lot of single guys out there and a lot of you are still eating whatever your mom's cooking you but for me there's 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 kids under 10.


I'm just curious as I get flack from the mother in law about how 'good' we always eat and I'm not sure if she's fishing for an invite or thinks we splurge too much.

Also curious because I keep getting drawn into the comments on all the tasty videos sponsored by bank of america on facebook and everybody's always saying they spend too much on meals.

[demik]

if it's good, it's worth it.

[Hispes]

Life is too short too eat ****ty food. Also, if you have the money, what's the issue?  I generally prefer to cook unless I'm going for something specific I know someone else prepares better than I (BBQ, pizza, etc), or if I am going out somewhere more upscale for a special occasion or to enjoy just being an adult.

[tp4tissue]

just take ur household income..

If total food cost exceeds 15%,   that's a bit much.

[nugglets]

This is extremely relative to your financial situation, but agree with demik here (twice in one night, what am I becoming?).

You can't put a price on quality grub.

We eat very well, mostly because I have always loved to cook. I'd say that $10-15 on any given night would be our average, with 2-3 meals a month coming in considerably higher at $30-50.

My girlfriend also has serious, and extensive, food allergies on top of being on an "organic food" kick for the past few years. So there are a lot of products we pay a premium for that would otherwise be considerably cheaper.

[demik]

This is extremely relative to your financial situation, but agree with demik here (twice in one night, what am I becoming?

Enlightened. Woke. Based.

Any would work.

[Spopepro]

I'll also add, that in the USA this can be a very loaded issue. If you are buying properly cared for ingredients, and some stuff that can't be faked, then your costs will seem high to someone who is used to industrial raised, processed, and subsidized foods. This isn't as much of an issue in Europe where they have done a better job of protecting food quality. The recent "is it Parmesan or is it flavored, salted, cellulose?" kerfuffle is a great example. Parmigiano Reggiano is about $25/lb in my area. Other imported parm is around $17, and domestic is around $12. It should have been clear that the cheap stuff in a can is not what it claims, but we have sneaky ways around it with our labeling, and very lax enforcement. That **** wouldn't fly in Europe. So yeah, if you're used to buying wood pulp to put on your pasta, someone who buys real cheese will look extravagant. Please buy the real cheese.

[SBJ]

It's pretty expensive in Denmark in general so I think our food budget is right around the 5-10% margin.
I would really rather not pay any more than this, I try to make food that's healthy and tasty.

[nugglets]

I'll also add, that in the USA this can be a very loaded issue. If you are buying properly cared for ingredients, and some stuff that can't be faked, then your costs will seem high to someone who is used to industrial raised, processed, and subsidized foods. This isn't as much of an issue in Europe where they have done a better job of protecting food quality. The recent "is it Parmesan or is it flavored, salted, cellulose?" kerfuffle is a great example. Parmigiano Reggiano is about $25/lb in my area. Other imported parm is around $17, and domestic is around $12. It should have been clear that the cheap stuff in a can is not what it claims, but we have sneaky ways around it with our labeling, and very lax enforcement. That **** wouldn't fly in Europe. So yeah, if you're used to buying wood pulp to put on your pasta, someone who buys real cheese will look extravagant. Please buy the real cheese.

One of the things I enjoy cooking the most is a risotto that uses a Parmesan broth as the liquid. In order to make the broth I use between 1-2lbs of Parmigiano-Reggiano Stravecchio.

I know the pain of paying for quality ingredients well, but it's worth every penny. =)

[rowdy]

We don't eat out much mainly due to dietary restrictions for one or more family member, but for two adults and one 9yo child usually between AUD$30 and AUD$40 does it.

Nothing fancy, but a step or two up from Maccas.

Mind you, Maccas is about that price too!

[Blackehart]

It depends.
Some restaurants are about the dining experience more so than actually getting you stuffed (think some 3 michelin star restaurant vs Olive Garden)

That said, I have an issue of paying top dollar for foods I can cook.
For example, stuff like ceviche, enchiladas, pasta carbonara...i can pay $15 for a plate and not be too picky. If it goes above that, I will nitpick and even send it back if something's off.

I'd say I don't have an issue with paying 30 bux for something i can't/haven't cooked on my own. Portions have to be generous.

I can go above that if there's some rare or hard to make items on the plate.

^_^

[kenmai9]

if it's good, it's worth it.

agreed.

for me average meal is 12-15. if im being cheap 7. if im being really cheap like 4-5.

if im ballin out or celebrating ill spend like 30-40-50 or whatever. **** it.

as the great young thug once said,

Nigga, hustlers don't stop, they keep goin'
You can lose your life but it gon' keep goin'
Why not risk life when it's gon' keep goin'?
When you die somebody else was born
But at least we got to say we...

We ran up them digits we ran up the money
We ran up them digits we ran up that money
We ran up them digits we ran up that money
We ran up them digits we ran up the money
We ran up them digits we ran up some money
We ran up some digits we ran up some money

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

standard is $4-$10 for me, for something like sushi though $30 is more than acceptable, even did $50 once

to cut cost on steaks my roommate and i buy the whole slab of meat from Costco and cut/freeze it ourselves. filets and ribeyes. otherwise that $50 sushi would turn into $100 surf & turf

[xtrafrood]

If I'm cooking I'll stick to the same food for as long as possible. Usually $5-10 per meal at home, and $15-40 at whatever restaurant.

[noisyturtle]

It really depends on the type of meal. I have spent over $200 for a single one-person meal and thought it completely worth the experience. But that's extremely rare.

I would say $15 or less for lunch and $30 for dinner is reasonable though. Per person. Less if it's family-style or pizza etc.

I don't eat breakfast really, I always have 2 coffees and a fun sized Snickers every morning.

[Waateva]

I've got a total of 4 if we're eating out so we try and keep it under $50 but that doesn't always happen.

If it's just me it could range from $5-10 for lunch and $10-15 for dinner, or if it's my wife and I out probably more like $40-60 depending on if we're drinking or not.

[fohat.digs]

If you are careful and frugal it is not at all hard to stay below $20 and even $10 for a home-cooked meal.
(note: my wife and kids are not big eaters)

Tonight, I got a small whole chicken on sale at Krogers for just under $6 (+ 1 onion & 3 cloves of garlic <$1), salad ingredients <$4 (lettuce ~$1, tomato ~$1, carrots <$1, grated cheese <$1), 3 baked potatoes ~$2, ~$1 homemade kimchi (1/2 cup each for my son and me) + ~$0.50 worth of milk for each of 2 kids = ~$15

Upgrade the meat to beef and the salad to broccoli or edamame and the price tag can easily top $20, but that is still quite a bit of fresh nutritious food.

PS - my mother-in-law did not like to cook or eat and, once when visiting for Thanksgiving or some other holiday, and cooking a large meal for the extended family out of town, I had gone to the store (<1 mile away, so no great expedition) for about the 3rd time in one day, she said "why do you keep going to the store? - I could go a month without going to the store" (not true, of course) but I blurted out, without diplomacy "So, don't you like fresh food?"

But we had never gotten along anyway.

 

[SpAmRaY]

@fohat.digs I'd love to have a store that close, I would definitely buy fresh if possible. Very often fruits and veggies don't last very long going shopping once a week.

Our closest mom n pop grocery is ~10 miles the largest chain grocery store is ~20 miles.

Talking with a coworker today he said his family of four has a food budget of $110/week.

[tp4tissue]

@fohat.digs I'd love to have a store that close, I would definitely buy fresh if possible. Very often fruits and veggies don't last very long going shopping once a week.

Our closest mom n pop grocery is ~10 miles the largest chain grocery store is ~20 miles.

Talking with a coworker today he said his family of four has a food budget of $110/week.

For a house hold income of 200,000,  that's 2.8%

For a house hold income of 80,000, that's 7.15%

[Blackehart]

Oh, seems i was confused on the subject.
I was under the impression it was about eating out.

I spend very little during the work week.
I buy a big ole container of greens, some dressing and either sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
I also buy two tubs of either strwaberry or vanilla flavored greek yogurt.
Ill have some greens and yogurt during the week.

For the weekend, I'll cook something that'll last me two days.
I do remember a crab boil getting kinda pricey. It was like 8-9 different seafood items though.
I've also opted out of eating "fluff food" (bread, chips, tortillas, etc) and opted for slightly larger portions of the main food item.

[Reigning Hell]

I'll drop $15 on a meal like at BJs if I'm out with friends, that's about average. Even going to get coffee, I'll spend ~$10 because we chill and talk and get a couple drinks.

What always makes me think about the price tho, is sushi. Prices vary place to place. Bento Boxes and cheap sushi buffets are good for me, but my gf likes going to more expensive sushi places - $10 for 2 shrimp heads?? - so those hurt the wallet

edit: lol also confused

Groceries is $75-$100 for 2-3 weeks. I live in an apartment during school semesters, and cook for 1 most of the time. I buy rice, soups, meats, some snacks. I eat 1-2 meals a day during school because I would be busy until the afternoon with no thought of eating until the evening; that's probably why my groceries last.
 I think the biggest thing is not paying for name brand when you don't mind, and not buying unnecessary junk.

[tp4tissue]

I'll drop $15 on a meal like at BJs if I'm out with friends, that's about average. Even going to get coffee, I'll spend ~$10 because we chill and talk and get a couple drinks.

What always makes me think about the price tho, is sushi. Prices vary place to place. Bento Boxes and cheap sushi buffets are good for me, but my gf likes going to more expensive sushi places - $10 for 2 shrimp heads?? - so those hurt the wallet

IMHO, the Majority of sushi is overpriced..

You're better off spending that money on a Japanese Rice cooker, and make your own sushi rice..

[Reigning Hell]

I'll drop $15 on a meal like at BJs if I'm out with friends, that's about average. Even going to get coffee, I'll spend ~$10 because we chill and talk and get a couple drinks.

What always makes me think about the price tho, is sushi. Prices vary place to place. Bento Boxes and cheap sushi buffets are good for me, but my gf likes going to more expensive sushi places - $10 for 2 shrimp heads?? - so those hurt the wallet

IMHO, the Majority of sushi is overpriced..

You're better off spending that money on a Japanese Rice cooker, and make your own sushi rice..

Buying a rice cooker was so worth it. So much stuff to eat, and you save so much money

[zcmy]

Huh, as a student, I spend on average of $5 a meal, but I try making things that are fairly healthy. If I'm sorta splurging, I can spend...$15 in coffee but at most I don't spend more than $20, unless it's with a close friend or we're grabbing drinks afterwards.

[fohat.digs]

Buying a rice cooker was so worth it. So much stuff to eat, and you save so much money

A steamer is a most basic kitchen item. Vegetables and rice are cheap and easy. I have used these for decades - under constant use they will last about 3 years.

$30 new in box, $5 at a yard sale or thrift store. I keep at least 2 - often I am steaming vegetables and making rice at the same time.

They also cook fish and chicken well without drying it out, but are hard to clean afterwards!

[zcmy]

Buying a rice cooker was so worth it. So much stuff to eat, and you save so much money

A steamer is a most basic kitchen item. Vegetables and rice are cheap and easy. I have used these for decades - under constant use they will last about 3 years.

$30 new in box, $5 at a yard sale or thrift store. I keep at least 2 - often I am steaming vegetables and making rice at the same time.

They also cook fish and chicken well without drying it out, but are hard to clean afterwards!

That's a steamer? I've never seen on in person.. how does it work? O_o

[fohat.digs]

That's a steamer? I've never seen on in person.. how does it work? O_o

You put a couple of inches of water in the white base and there is a heating element that makes it boil.

The clear outer cylinder has a perforated bottom and the steam goes up and fills the upper chamber, cooking the food in a steam bath so that it does not dry out.

Condensation mostly collects at the permieter and drains into a "collar" near the bottom.

The dial is a timer in minutes. Vegetables take 15-30 minutes and rice takes an hour or a little less.

[Badwrench]

We are on a fairly tight budget and average $60 to $80 a week for me, my wife, and our 3 year old.  If you plan well and dont mind having the same thing fairly often, you can eat pretty well.  Most of the budget is chicken, fresh veggies and fruit.  Very little processed food as that tebds to cost more.  Simple crock pot meals can last days.   

[Spopepro]

Just as a counterpoint since so many here are good at being frugal... I spend a lot of money on food to prepare at home. It doesn't have to be this way of course, but I can so I do. A nice dinner is probably about $50-60 for two people worth of ingredients and if it's a nice dinner we will open a nice bottle of wine. What is nice? Something like:

Parsnip crusted salmon with frizzled leeks over red wine braised puy lentils with heirloom carrots.

Or:

Kampachi and hamachi sashimi over green tea soba, peach, gooseberry, endive, roasted beet, cilantro salad with pomegranate allspice dressing.

Sure, I can make a pot of red beans and rice, collards, and some maque choux and eat well for about a buck or two, and I often do! But I'd rather be frugal in other areas than skimp on cooking, good food, and good wine.

[noisyturtle]

but rice gets boring every day...

[Niomosy]

I'd rather not eat ****ty food.  If the meal comes to $100 for the family, okay.  If it comes to $150 or $200?  Done that, though less often.

As Spopepro mentioned, cooking at home is an option as well.  We've picked up some nice USDA Prime meet and made some nice meals at home.  Personal best was me making black truffle risotto, seared foie gras, salad with duck prosciutto, and rack of lamb at home for our 10th wedding anniversary.  Also did some nice breakfast options for Mother's Day as the wife has preferred that then going out and dealing with the crowds.

[tp4tissue]

but rice gets boring every day...

Add Butter....

[zcmy]

but rice gets boring every day...

Add Butter....

Show Image

What else, TP, what else. :)

[tp4tissue]

but rice gets boring every day...

Add Butter....

Show Image

What else, TP, what else. :)

Spritz of Lime Juice..

Pinch of Salt from up high..

[Reigning Hell]

but rice gets boring every day...

Add Butter....

Show Image

What else, TP, what else. :)

Spritz of Lime Juice..

Pinch of Salt from up high..

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

[tp4tissue]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

[SpAmRaY]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

[tp4tissue]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

Well,  the rice would form the bulk of the carb load.. so.... it's really just adding like 2 grams of sugar to ~100 grams of starch (which is itself sugar)..

[Purp]

The McDonald's menu.

[tp4tissue]

The McDonald's menu.

If you factor in Labor,  fast food is significantly cheaper than cooking at home..



Now, one might say, hai Tp, I got nothin' else to do..    Yea.. but the benefits of perhaps reading a book for 2 hours instead of spending it cooking/ cleaning dishes, would add up to something significant over time.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

The McDonald's menu.

If you factor in Labor,  fast food is significantly cheaper than cooking at home..



Now, one might say, hai Tp, I got nothin' else to do..    Yea.. but the benefits of perhaps reading a book for 2 hours instead of spending it cooking/ cleaning dishes, would add up to something significant over time.

but health issues tho

[Spopepro]

The McDonald's menu.

If you factor in Labor,  fast food is significantly cheaper than cooking at home..

Or, you could say it's way, way more expensive after factoring in the subsidies for corn and beef, and the fact that many employees are supplementing their inadequate wages with government assistance. But you're on the hook for paying those anyway until we collectively decide we could do better.

[tp4tissue]

The McDonald's menu.

If you factor in Labor,  fast food is significantly cheaper than cooking at home..



Now, one might say, hai Tp, I got nothin' else to do..    Yea.. but the benefits of perhaps reading a book for 2 hours instead of spending it cooking/ cleaning dishes, would add up to something significant over time.

but health issues tho

I think that's overblown..

As long as you're not downing 4 refills of soda..  It's not gonna kill ya..

[xtrafrood]

The McDonald's menu.

If you factor in Labor,  fast food is significantly cheaper than cooking at home..



Now, one might say, hai Tp, I got nothin' else to do..    Yea.. but the benefits of perhaps reading a book for 2 hours instead of spending it cooking/ cleaning dishes, would add up to something significant over time.

but health issues tho

I think that's overblown..

As long as you're not downing 4 refills of soda..  It's not gonna kill ya..

It's true, if you eat a hamburger that won't decompose, you'll gain its magical powers of longevity! +1 Lifespan point per burger

[tp4tissue]

but health issues tho

I think that's overblown..

As long as you're not downing 4 refills of soda..  It's not gonna kill ya..

It's true, if you eat a hamburger that won't decompose, you'll gain its magical powers of longevity! +1 Lifespan point per burger

Wow,  given my college experience of 2 per day.... I have at least +1200 HP...

#Tp4ever

[rowdy]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

I had Rice Bubbles for breakfast, but with milk and sugar.

http://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/rice-bubbles-product.html

[zcmy]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

I had Rice Bubbles for breakfast, but with milk and sugar.

http://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/rice-bubbles-product.html

Rice bubbles are different! HERESY.

^{Are they any good?}

[rowdy]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

I had Rice Bubbles for breakfast, but with milk and sugar.

http://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/rice-bubbles-product.html

Rice bubbles are different! HERESY.

^{Are they any good?}

A bit plain without sugar.

[zcmy]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

I had Rice Bubbles for breakfast, but with milk and sugar.

http://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/rice-bubbles-product.html

Rice bubbles are different! HERESY.

^{Are they any good?}

A bit plain without sugar.

I don't eat anything that needs sugar without maple syrup, all good.

[rowdy]

Rice w/ some butter & ground pepper

Basically.. 1 bowl of rice (2cups).. + 1/3 stick of butter..  is what is making TP fat..

My wife eats rice with butter and sugar for breakfast.

I'll never understand it. Growing up we ate rice with salt and pepper and/or even tomatoes it was treated as a starch to fill out a meal like mashed potatoes etc.

I had Rice Bubbles for breakfast, but with milk and sugar.

http://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/rice-bubbles-product.html

Rice bubbles are different! HERESY.

^{Are they any good?}

A bit plain without sugar.

I don't eat anything that needs sugar without maple syrup, all good.

That would be a bit odd on Rice Bubbles.