Am I the only one....I'm beginning to see it's cheaper for me to

@lynnsgirl :
Aldi and Ollie's has some good deals. As to the bigger question, hard to say. I think some of the restaurant deals the food isn't comparable to what you would prepare at home. Sometimes the restaurant deals are high fat, low quality foods. But it might be cheaper if you are wasting food. I agree that it is difficult not to when preparing food for only one or two people. And shopping for restaurant deals can be a bit tiring. Maybe try shopping restaurant specials for an entire week. Keep track of the expenses and see how it stacks up. Still, you'd have to be careful to remember that you're buying stuff for breakfast, snacks, etc. at the store in addition to supplies for your main meal.

@lynnsgirl : This has been found true multiple times and there was a settlement.

@lynnsgirl : when I was young (20s) and lived in san diego - I knew where all the free buffets were - I could eat out every day of the week for the price of a couple happy hour drinks.not sure if anywhere close has dinner buffet deals or if those are a thing of the past.I will say - that I agree - but I also make meals - and eat on them for several days.

@redneckroy : Had the same experience at Nellis. 2nd day there met some young pilots in the club and we went "bar hopping" but it was really "free dinner hopping". They had made a spreadsheet of where and when to go for all the free deals. We would hit three or four places each evening. They made that 30 day assignment a joy, despite what I had to do during the daytime.

@redneckroy : Think they've still got them at some strip clubs. 😂

@lynnsgirl : That sounds like a good idea. Include in your costs analysis tax, tip, and transportation for those deals from restaurants. About that expensive boxed cereal -- years ago I decided to eat oatmeal and skip the dry boxed stuff. I buy extra thick rolled oats. 1/2 cup dry rolled oats plus one cup of water, cover and microwave for 2 minutes. Add whatever you choose. I usually add cinnamon, dried cherries (bought from Costco), and walnuts. Price varies depending on what you add, but oatmeal is inexpensive and keeps well in the pantry.

I buy a lot of cereal, I've never spent $6 on a box. Too many deals, coupons, rebates for that.