Cheaper to Eat at Home? Or on the Road?

I live in the suburbs, but my kids go to school in the city. Sometimes, especially if I run errands in the city in the middle of the day, I'm tempted to just eat out.

I have a list of inexpensive, diet-friendly foods that I order regularly in my planner, so I know where I can eat for under $5. 

But I can make almost any meal at home for less than $5, so how do I know if I should go home to eat?

I've figured out a way to make the decision.

Confession: if you are still reading, you show know that today's calculation is based on Popeye's chicken tenders (man, that barbeque sauce is AMAZING) and NOT on the aforementioned healthy lunch!

Popeye's three chicken fingers (spicy, just the tenders please) cost $4.35 with tax in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

(You are probably thinking, "how does she know that?" You should know that I am a big ole fat fatty piggy hog. That is how I know.)

Driving home to eat and back to town to pick up the kids cost...well, let's figure it out!

I rely on www.fueleconomy.gov to calculate the cost of gas. I just put in my starting point and destination address.

(Note that the website uses the national average cost of gas. I googled the cost in Baton Rouge and used that number instead.)

My 17 mile trip (times two because I have to go home and then come back to the city for afternoon carpool) costs $1.70 x 2 in gas, which equals $3.40.

TIP: Once you have calculated your normal cost, assuming gas prices stay relatively stable, you can write that number in your notes/file section of your planner and never calculate it again!

(You could also add in wear and tear on your vehicle, which the internet estimates at anywhere between $0.05 and $0.50 per mile, but I'll skip that part.)

$4.25 - $3.40 = $0.85, so the big question is whether I can eat at home for under $0.85.

Maybe, if I had red beans and rice or anything relatively cheap meal prepared. Instead, I have chicken breast tenders and some grilled veggies in the fridge, which costs about $2.00 to make.

So, for today only, I'll be eating Popeyes!

BUDGET TIP: If you know you will be staying in town, pack your lunch.

I don't always know if I will, but when I know it, I always pack my lunch.

Etcetera.

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