Well, don’t I just sound like I’m taking all the fun and joy out of my life?  And what’s up with 95%?  Keep reading…

Not really.  When I chose to leave my previous job for the unknown future, we created a budget that would meet all our financial responsibilities and allow us to save a little.  We also had to make some decisions on things we could live without.  One of those was “No Eating Out.”  There are other reasons, as well.

First.  We would eat out A LOT.  Most nights in fact and that’s pretty expensive, even though we stuck to places like Chipotle and Panda Express where you can get a decent meal for under $20.  As I started to evaluate what we were getting for our money (and having someone prepare your meal is worth money), I just couldn’t justify going out to eat.  For $20, I can buy enough food for 4 meals.  Yes, I am paying for more than just the food when I go out and there will be times when I do that, but not every night.

Second.  For me, it’s harder to control my weight when I eat out.  (It’s hard for me to control my weight period, but when I eat out it’s more difficult.)  It’s hard to make healthy choices when the menu looks so appetizing.  I gobble everything on my plate, wonder why I’m so full, vow to never do that again and forget that vow right before the next time I eat out.

Third.  I really like cooking and I haven’t done it in a while.  I love looking for new recipes, planning how I’m going to stretch a whole bag of frozen chicken to last through 3 recipes, looking for inventive ways to take out the wheat from all our favorite meals and coming up with a weeks worth of dinners.

Obviously there are going to be those times, when a meal out is going to happen.  In fact, I’m going to lunch with a friend tomorrow and really looking forward to it.  I’m aiming for 95% of time we eat at home.  That will make a world of difference for us.

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

“This is me ‘eating out'” ~Ellie