Motherly Advice...Include fun food in the budget and save big $$$...

One big fast food corporation currently has a Meal Deal.

 

You may have seen the (very stupid) ads.

 

For $5.95, you get a cheeseburger, a small soft drink, a small fries, and an ice cream sundae.

 

Wow, sounds great doesn't it, and $6 is nothing.

Well, $6 each, so we're kidding ourselves right there.

 

So let's say you have to buy at least 3 because you have 3 children, or one for you, your partner and your child. That's not $5.95, it's $17.85, hardly anyone buys one meal deal.

 

For a little more than $17.85 at Aldi (or replace generic brands at any supermarket) you'll get:

 

500gms extra lean mince $5.99

Hamburger rolls $2.99

Cheese slices $5.99

1.25 litre lemonade .99c

2 litre premium ice cream $4.99

Chocolate wafers $1.49

Frozen French fries $3.99

 

That's a total of $26.43.

 

Now most of us on a budget would hesitate to add this to a tiny grocery bill.

 

But consider this:

 

We WILL all wilt and do this from time to time..no crime there.

 

But add in the petrol that you'd use just driving to the fast food outlet, and sitting in the drive-thru queue with your engine running, waiting to be served, let's say $5.

 

Add in the fact that someone will want to upsize their meal or get M & Ms in their sundae or something, add another $3.

 

Add a therapeutic cappuccino for Mum, another $4.

 

All of a sudden, our cheap treat ($5.95, remember), has blown out to $38.43 and don't you think the fast food companies know that!

 

And that's for just fuel to get to the fast food outlet, 3 meals for the kidlets, and a cappuccino for Mum.

 

From your $26.43 at Aldi, or add $5 for 10 sachets of cappuccino or latte mix, and the spend is $31.43.

 

But for that $31.43, (which provides me with at least two, if not three dinners, a couple of lunches for me at home, and several treats), I'd be able to make:

 

15 home made burger patties.

 

6 hamburger buns. I'd actually halve them crosswise and get 12 thinner buns, or I'd use bread at the same price.

 

Enough cheese for cheese toasties later in the week as well, another saving on a quick lunch or afternoon tea.

 

Enough ice cream for 10 sundaes with a wafer in the top with wafers left over for afternoon treats.

 

Enough frozen fries for a quick side dish on another night when we're a bit rushed.

 

Enough lemonade for a couple of drinks for everyone, not just one.

 

Enough cappuccino mixes for 10 treats for me!

 

Now it doesn't sound like such a chunk out of the budget, does it?

 

That $31.43, actually has the potential to save me buying:

 

15 cheeseburgers @ $2 = $30

5 Toasted Ham and Cheese Pockets on the go @ $2 = $12

10 ice cream sundaes @ $2.90 = $29.00

8 small fast food soft drinks @ $2.35=$18.80

Side dish of fries for dinner @ $4 at the fish and chip shop

10 cappucinos @ $4 = $40

 

Total: $160.23

 

So a saving of $128.80 for my $31.43 spend!!!

 

My point is that we all cringe at spending a little on convenience foods, but many of us (me included) don't hesitate to buy a happy meal and coffee on the run occasionally.

By simply planning ahead, and making a small allowance in the budget for FUN FOOD, you can actually save a bomb!
 

And before you all shout me down, yes of course, you could reduce this again by making your own fries or wedges, your own rolls, your own cappuccino mix and so on.
 

But hard as I try, there are just some moments/days/weeks, where this is beyond me. And I refuse to contribute to the fast food coffers, just because I'm having a busy time!
 

I reckon I'd rather budget for some fun food, enjoy ourselves in our lovely home rather than a neon lit bathroom masquerading as a restaurant, and feed my family properly.

What's your favourite budget friendly fast food copycat. How much money does it save you?