Thrifty eating is normal

Food has changed over the years. Preparing food at home used to be the default but now it seems quaint. Just like how “under-consumption is normal consumption”, thrifty eating is normal eating. It’s easier than ever to order in or pick something up curbside. It’s more convenient than ever to treat yourself on a random Tuesday….which sounds like fun, but it’s putting people in serious debt. It’s stopping some young people from learning how to prepare food for themselves.

Notice that I say “prepare” and not “cook”. Way too many people deflect overspending on food by claiming they don’t like/want to/know how to cook. “Cooking” is loaded. It paints a scene of someone who knows exactly when to flip a pork chop or who can make muffins without a recipe or taste a soup and know what it needs. It triggers people who aren’t practiced in it and that’s just not helpful. You don’t have to cook to feed yourself at home. You just have to prepare yourself some food.

Here’s some examples of meals you don’t have to cook;

• Canned soup with crackers
• Any sandwich with a side of fruit
• A baked potato
• Heat and serve rice with heat and serve beans
• Bagged salad with ready to eat chicken

I think if someone who is scared of cooking tried a menu like this for a while they would soon find themselves much more comfortable in their own kitchens and preparing their own food. I think what they missed in convenience they’d more than make up for in savings.

And for those of us experienced home cooks…we can make a sandwich too!

As someone who likes to cook it’s easy to get caught up in new recipes and trendy ingredients or just really special and delicious meals. That’s not helping anyone’s bank account either.

We can all benefit from embracing simple, thrifty meals.