Cut back on the amount you spend on take-out and restaurant dining. Although it may be the easier way out to dine out, it will become hard once you realize how much money you actually spend per year at restaurants and fast food venues. The average American household spends almost half of its food budget on eating out — out of about $6,000 spent on food a year, about $2,700 goes to eating out. Alcoholic beverages alone contribute almost $500 to that budget. Eating at home is not only cheaper, but it’s most often a lot healthier too. Here are some ways you can avoid the temptations and cravings of fast food:

1. Grab and eat foods rule. One of the reasons we love fast food is because it’s fast. In just a few minutes, we’re chowing on hot, tasty foods that satisfy our need for immediate gratification. Healthy foods to keep on hand are trail mix, fresh fruits and veggies (precut for easier consumption), granola bars (yes, you can make your own at home), pudding or Jello, pretzels, cottage cheese, salads, and sweet treats like miniature candy bars or Hershey’s kisses. Packaging foods in individual bags makes it easy to take snacks with you when you leave the house, too.

2. Money saved is money earned. Start a special savings fund for something you’ve always wanted, like that new fishing boat motor, an iPad, or an exotic vacation. Every time you’re tempted to eat out, take the money you would have spent on take-out food and add it to your dream fund. The knowledge of saving for something worthwhile is often enough of a motivator to keep you from turning into McDonald’s after work.

3. Make cooking at home enjoyable. Turn up your favorite music, involve the whole family, or splurge on a nice set of spices. Whatever it takes to make cooking enjoyable for you is a worthwhile investment. Trying out new recipes, creating your own dishes, and filling your home with the smells of home cooked food can all be great starting points for fostering a love of cooking. If it’s enjoyable, cooking at home can be healthy and relaxing, making it an ideal hobby.

4. Planning ahead helps you avoid temptation. Menu planning and preparing foods in advance can really help out when you’re feeling unmotivated to cook, and tempted to eat out. You can make your own Hot Pockets and freeze them for later, or keep a prepared menu every week to take the pain out of deciding what’s for supper.

5. Learn to make your favorite fast foods at home. If you simply can’t live without that Big Mac, or you get a weekly hankering for KFC chicken, you can learn to recreate your favorite fast food recipes at home.

6. Make meals a social occasion. Another way to take the pain out of eating at home is to create a meal rotation plan with your neighbors and friends. You rotate meeting at everybody’s homes one day a week to showcase everyone’s cooking skills and to enjoy some fun times. Quite often, the company makes even the most mundane meals exciting.

7. Spruce up your kitchen and dining area. If you take time to make your kitchen and dining area appealing, you will be extra motivated to spend time in those areas of your home. If your kitchen features brightly colored dishes and your favorite framed prints, you might be more likely to be drawn to your own kitchen rather than a fast food restaurant.

Article Source: http://moneyning.com/frugality/7-ways-to-stop-eating-out/

In this guest post, Mary Harris – an Ocean County resident, co-owner of local natural products business Heaven & Earth LLC, professor at Monmouth University, and holistic nutrition student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, provides you with ways to pamper yourself on a budget.

She writes:
Believe it or not, money does not have to be an item of concern when it comes to pampering yourself. In fact, finding new ways to treat yourself right can be fun and rewarding and help reduce stress. You can even invite family and friends to take part in some of the pampering, if you want to. Here are my top ten tips for pampering yourself on a budget, with a healthy twist!

1. Enjoy a cup of hot tea– Tea is a worldly drink that, in my opinion, has the power to soothe the soul. Teas can be delicious and healthy to boot. Choose your flavor and style of tea (naturally decaffeinated, organic, loose, bagged, black, red, green), brew it in a tea kettle, pour it in a pretty cup, and take your time sipping your worries away.

2. Take a relaxing bath – The power of water is incredible, and baths are just one example. Light a couple of candles in a safe place and draw up a hot bath with your favorite natural soap or bath fizzy close at hand. (Pictured left, Heaven & Earth, LLC’s Lemon Rose Blossom Bath Fizzy).

3. Read a good book – A visit to the library or paperbackswap.com might be in order, because reading can be truly therapeutic and virtually cost-free if planned right. Find a quiet place to enjoy some time each day to read, even if it is just fifteen minutes at a time. Escape into Book Land.

4. Make a homemade facial mask – Healthy facial masks are inexpensive and easy to whip up. One of my favorite recipes for dry skin during the cold winter months is ½ an avocado mixed with ¼ cup of local, raw honey. Mash the ingredients together, mixing well, and apply to clean skin for ten-fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly. It is important to try to buy local, raw honey from a sustainable honeybee keeper since it is healthier for us and for our friends the honeybees.

5. Go on an antiquing adventure with a friend or two – Going antiquing or shopping at yard sales, flea markets, and second-hand shops can produce unique and economical décor and items for you and your space; not to mention, you get to meet interesting people who might be able to share a part of history with you. 

6. Create the perfect playlist – Make yourself a relaxing, inspirational, and/or fun playlist just for you. Sites like Project Playlist and Spotify are great resources for music and creating customized playlists to enjoy legally and for free.

7. Buy yourself a journal – Find a journal that is a reflection of you. Keep it by your bed and free write happy thoughts, goals, beautiful quotes, and hopes and dreams in the morning when you wake up – and at night before you go to sleep, or whenever you feel motivated to do so.

8. Take pleasure in fruit and chocolate – Buy yourself some organic berries and dark chocolate, prepare them on a fancy plate with a sprig of fresh mint or chocolate drizzle for garnish. Take your time and savor every bite in a comforting space.

9. Sit in silence and just be – Sit or lay down in a comfortable space in silence to just exist, ponder, and focus on breathing and relaxing. Most people do not take time to themselves to try this exercise, but it is well worth it. Some people meditate during quiet moments like this as well.

10. Watch a movie marathon in your pajamas – Whether you rent movies from the library for free or have a Netflix subscription, a movie marathon in your coziest pajamas does not require much money or effort. This is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon or a day off from work.

Mary Harris is the Co-Owner of Heaven & Earth, LLC, a small company that creates natural homemade soaps and other natural products for mind, body and spirit. Mary is also a college professor at Monmouth University and is currently studying holistic nutrition and wellness. Mary resides in Bayville with her husband and three dogs. For more tips on living simply, sustainably, and healthfully, visit her blog.