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NewsMoney Saving Tip - BYO Food
Money Saving Tip - BYO Food

Money Saving Tip - BYO Food

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Last updated by Someone on

I recently drove out to the NSW country town of Parkes for the annual Elvis Festival with my elderly mum and teenage daughter. In the course of the 2 days we were away, I think we visited every McDonalds restaurant between home and Parkes. Each visit cost between $20-$30 and by the end of the weekend I think the total cost was around $150.

When I was growing up, like a lot of Sydney-siders, my family would make the annual pilgrimage to QLD for the Christmas holidays. Inevitably, the car would over-heat going over Buladelah and we’d have to pull-over for an hour to wait for it to cool down. My sister and I would annoy each other in the back seat for hours, driving our poor parents crazy and we’d regularly hear “Would you girls stop fighting!”

The reason I mention these trips is that my mum would make food for the journey including sandwiches, fruit and drinks. We couldn’t afford to stop in a hotel on the way to break up the trip or stop and buy food. If we were really lucky, dad might stop at Clybucca and buy us each an Icypole for 20 cents if we hadn’t been too naughty.

To this day, if I’m driving any further than an hour from home, my mum will still make herself a sandwich for the trip (crust off) and pack some water and a piece of fruit for herself. She still asks me every time if she can make me something too and lately I’ve started accepting.

According to Canstar* Australians spend $1billion a week eating out. So this week’s money saving tip is to take food with you if you can. Sure take-away is convenient but what’s it doing to your hip pocket. I’d love to hear your stories and tips for saving money on food.

https://www.canstar.com.au/news-articles/eating-aussies-spend-1-billion-per-week/

 

Originally posted on .

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joan
joan from VIC commented:

I live in a suburb of Melbourne and am surrounded by take away places but I always make a sandwich and take water as I am often away shopping etc. over lunchtime. The food is always more satisfying that the take away fried and one can pull over and look at the beach or park in a shady spot somewhere. 

PamellaWaters
PamellaWaters from NSW commented:

That is so true ,we used to go to a Goodooga when our kids were little and yes zi packed sandwiches fruit drink biscuits cake and maybe a few lollies of how things have changed and really not for the better 

Lucy
Lucy from NSW commented:

We too always take a thermos, sandwiches & fruit when travelling anywhere. When on holidays we also look for a local farmers market and stock up on fresh homegrown product for picnics in beautiful spots. Much healthier and cheaper option than takeaway food joints. 

Don
Don from NSW commented:

We, including my daughter always pack food where ever we go be it a day trip, to the park or traveling on holidays. It will include sandwiches, fruit, crackers & muesli bars. When traveling we will pull into MacDonalds for a Seniors Coffee & a 60cent ice-cream. as a treat. If the grandchildren have been good we will get a helping of fries to just make it all a little special. Water is the drink on the go. Lunches for work & school are packed from home. Once or twice a term the children get to choose a canteen lunch. 

margaret
margaret from NSW replied to Don:

I think you have the balance just right. I do not travel around much however when I do I pack some food and a drink, then I allow a little money for something extra, a food treat that may not be able to get in my area. That way I do not feel I am skimping and I support a retailer in the area that is entertaining me. I find the greatest saving is on drinks and a bottle of 3/4 frozen drink topped with liquid and wrapped in foil can still have a little ice in it 4-5 hours later. I remember 60 years ago my mother would unpack our picnic lunch whilst father went to get a packet of hot chips or potato scallops to share.That way we did not feel we were missing out when all around families were tucking into their packets of fish and chips. 

Candy
Candy from QLD commented:

I have a general tip rather than a travel tip. In Queensland, food goes off or over-ripe very quickly, including my favourite bananas. Lately I have taken to mashing them and freezing them for fritters, muffins and banana cake. They are way more convenient and save the food waste. 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

Hi....I have 2 stepboys 9 and 13 yrs old. It doesn't matter where we go I always take food whether it's fruit, muesli bars, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, water and potato chips. Put it all in the esky, throw it in the boot of the car and then all we need to find is some shade and a place to run around. The boys rarely ask for anything else now and we even take our own individual small sandwich bags of mixed lollies and a water bottle each to the movies. 

Annette
Annette from NSW commented:

Since I discovered Dilmah tea is used by McDonalds, we usually take a thermos of hot water, sugar, biscuits('dunkers') or fruit cake, milk, tea and sandwichs. The break in a long car trip is a welcome to break the jarring of long car rides. 

Sue
Sue from QLD commented:

Not just the hip pocket Kayley - but all those visits to McDonalds must surely land on the hips as well! Don't even get me started on the negative health impact of fast food, and associated costs to the individual, and the nation! I'm with your Mum - we never go anywhere without a little 'healthy' self catering, and no holiday (domestic or overseas), is complete without a homemade fruit cake in the luggage. I couldn't count the number of times (and money) it has saved us! 

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