<prompt> Human: I single, no kids made the New Year resolution to mostly cut out eating out and making meals from scratch to save money. I just noticed my YTD trend. Congratulations I have spent 400 less on fast food and restaurants from this same time last year. Yay, right? Only no, I have spent a total of 800 more at grocery stores. Meaning I have actually spent MORE on food this year than last year. I dont know why it is up, because I feel like I am careful when I go to the grocery store, and only buy meals that are discounted. My guess is that I am more willing to purchase a soda or treats when at restaurants I only drink water and no dessert and typically make my meals last 2 meals. Its discouraging because Ive been trying to be more money conscious and shopping around for the best dealssales. Does anyone else struggle with grocery shopping budgeting? Is it possible that eating out can be better for your wallet in the long run? Any advice?UPDATE: For those wondering, I dont typically buy prepackaged meals. Along with saving money, another motivation was to eat healthier. I make all my meals from scratch. Typically I make 2 meals during the week, one I make enough for all my lunches that I leave at work. The other I make for all my dinners and leave at home. I only eat out on the weekends. For example, last weeks meals were porkloin and salad for lunch, and chipotle chicken tacos with slaw for dinner. I dont think budgeting for meal prep is my issue. I keep track of averagesale prices of produce and meats and I will only purchase if it is been sold cheaper than what I deem a cheap price. Thats what makes me think it is the impulse buying. Ive never thought of myself of an impulse buyer, but I have noticed when I go into the store for one ingredient I come out with a bag full. I dont have the urge to buy things I dont need at a restaurant. Another issue is that as a single person that lives alone, a lot of food rots before I get a chance to use it, meaning I rebuy the same item.Assistant: The thing with the grocery store is that you have economies of scale- you can buy an entire loaf of bread for sandwiches vs. just 1 sandwich at a sandwich shop. You are likely just buying more food overall- so instead of buying 3 meals out at restaurants for a day, you are buying 10 meals at the grocery store... but then probably only eating 2 of them, and then going back for 10 more meals, etc. How long could you eat out of your pantry right now? How much food do you throw out? Youll definitely have to change your approach to food to save money buying it. Edit: also what you buy at grocery stores matter. If you are buying tons of convenience food, prepared foods, etc- basically treating the grocery store like a low key restaurant- you wont see any savings. You need to be buying raw ingredients and actually cooking to see savings. Human: I think this makes a lot of sense. I buy a LOT of produce, because it goes bad so quickly. I dont typically get to eat it all before its gone. I started buying the salad bar for lunch, but then I couldnt justify the cost because the produce was cheaper. But then I would buy the produce and it would rot before I could eat it all and then I feel like Im throwing away money. Same with bread.  <response>: Buy less produce. Youre the one buying more than you can consume, using rotting food as your excuse.Check out the book eat cheap and healthy which was designed by a culinary student who released it for free on reddit as a PDF. She made recipes and a shopping list that was designed so that someone living on welfare and poverty level can actually eat healthy and still have cash left over, basically 4 a day food budget. Try a new challenge too: only buy 2-4 items at the food store each day and your meals must use at least 1-2 ingredients you already have at home. Youre too unorganized and impulsive to even tackle meal prep. PDF can be found here: 