Debt diet II - Getting out of the takeout trap

Having resolved to put our recent bout of stress spending behind, my S.O. and I are back on track with our mission to cut spending. While our own brand of austerity measures are hardly going to get folks rioting in the streets (hello, Paris!) we are struggling a bit with the whole notion of meal planning.

Every week, we shop for food and fill our fridge - and every week we break down and order takeout at least once if not twice. Why? Because by 7:30 when the kids are finally down, cooking just seems comparable to sticking pins in our tired old eyes - so we pick up the phone. Thai, Indian, pizza - not exactly the most calorie conscious. And of course it adds up to a cool $20-$30 spent on takeout a week - on top of the cost of the food we do not eat (and often - gasp! - end up throwing out!).

Our solution might seem simple - but it’s one we hope will end up saving us money and time at night during the week. This Sunday, armed with a couple of cookbooks, we plan to make a few things ahead to eat during the week - a lasagna to freeze and perhaps a chicken in a pot with fresh veggies that might even stand us in good stead at lunch time too.

It’s a small adjustment - but one we hope will get us out of the $$$ takeout trap.