Money matters - living a simple life, frugally

[Imami]

RoyceH:

'The richest man is not the one who has the most but rather needs the least.\"

:goodpost:

[BeContented]

Funz:

I am by no means frugal but I think I am really not cut out for the high life. DH just treated me to a birthday meal at an expensive Jap restaurant. I got so stressed looking at the menu I told him to do all the ordering. Instead of soaking it all up, all I can think of is how many slabs of Wagyu beef I could have bought for a homecooked shabu shabu with the amount that he paid for the meal we had.

Me too, dun mind getting a good meal cos I can't cook well, but if it's too expensive, get stressed too. But watching all the dramas...... virtuous housewife, thrifty, dressed simply etc....usually the spouse will find the wife no-oomp, wanna treat to good meal also wife will try to save.....then the usual plot, find excitement outside lah.

So I told myself......I will not specifically ask for something expensive....but when the man thinks he can afford and wanna get me something, I will not stop him so that he won't feel xianzzzzzzz.

[Fairy]

fightingmom:

Home cooked food is the best - save :moneyflies: and healthier without those MSG etc. during those days when I don't cook, will dabao - there is one mixed veg stall near my house selling $1.50 for 2 veg; $1.70 for 1veg plus 1 meat and $2 for 2 veg & 1 meat. And yes, we try to bring our own water bottle.

I personally dont find home cooked food cheaper and more healthy. Maybe it's because I am not such a great cook and also because i dont cook often enough. The spices and ingredients I bought to cook a meal often ended up being thrown away as I only need a bit for one meal. For those of us who uses a lot of pre-mix sauce for cooking, home cooked food is not neccesarily healthier than outside food.

[Fairy]

Oppsgal:

Go foodcourt don't drink anything... save money. Bring own water bottle, go out of foodcourt then drink.

Not easy...when you're used to to having a drink with your meal. To avoid drinking too much sugared drink, my family usually drink iced Milo, which cost around $1.80 to >$2 depending on where we ate.

[osim]

How much do your home cook meal cost on the average?


I tend to buy good quality ingredients for home cook meal. In the end it is not cheaper than outside food but at least it taste better, food quality is better and cleaner and family eat together in our own nest.

My average is $15-20 per meal for 4.

[Imp75]

I dunno how much we actually save or not but my weekly groceries shopping for 3a+3c is about $200 and we only cook for lunch for 3c+maid and dinner for all.

[VemmaMom]

Fairy:

fightingmom:

Home cooked food is the best - save :moneyflies: and healthier without those MSG etc. during those days when I don't cook, will dabao - there is one mixed veg stall near my house selling $1.50 for 2 veg; $1.70 for 1veg plus 1 meat and $2 for 2 veg & 1 meat. And yes, we try to bring our own water bottle.

I personally dont find home cooked food cheaper and more healthy. Maybe it's because I am not such a great cook and also because i dont cook often enough. The spices and ingredients I bought to cook a meal often ended up being thrown away as I only need a bit for one meal. For those of us who uses a lot of pre-mix sauce for cooking, home cooked food is not neccesarily healthier than outside food.

I am not a great cook too.. just try to watch more cooking shows and also trial & error.. best cooked meal now... Omelette.. nothing rave about though as I am still learning. My friends uses the thermal cooker n really useful though.. I mostly do soup (carrots, chix, cauliflower) and eggs n rice.. here is 2 meals for the day for me! (Cook bigger portions for lunch & dinner)

[kiasu--carer]

while cooking at home may not be cheaper, at least you know what you put in your food. you control how healthy you want to make it by using all natural or pre-made.

[ohdaddy]

kiasu--carer:

while cooking at home may not be cheaper, at least you know what you put in your food. you control how healthy you want to make it by using all natural or pre-made.

I believe that too. Home cooked, we control what to put, how much to put e.g. salt, oil.

[b2b3m4]

kiasu--carer:

while cooking at home may not be cheaper, at least you know what you put in your food. you control how healthy you want to make it by using all natural or pre-made.

I feel home cooking is still cheaper than if you eat out regardless whether it is healhier. If home cooking is a once in blue moon thing, then 'yes' it is costly bcos of the spices, seasonings, rice etc purchased and not used again.

Buying from hi end supermarts like Cold Storage and eating better cuts and premium veges add to the bill too. Look out for offers and freeze the extras. For Cold Storage, i look out for those clearance items and cook it on the same day. Similar to if i buy my groceries weekly and store them in the fridge.

And for health reasons, we have alot more vegetables and tofu in our meals. For a family of 2A, 1 toddler and 2 pri school children, our dinner many a times work out to be around $10. That of cos does include items like rice, seasonings, oil etc. This is definitely cheaper than if we eat out.