Eating as if at a michelin star restaurant without the cost - Thrifty living

Eating as if at a michelin star restaurant without the cost - Thrifty living

Often is the case that articles appear on my news feed talking about how millennials would rather do just about anything except save money. I personally feel attacked when I read such articles because of the blatant generalization the media goes out of its was to write about. 

It should not be a surprise that becoming financially independent does not mean riding in limos, flying first class, going to Michelin star restaurants and partying it up every chance you get. In fact it's quite the opposite. Being rich, or financially independent, is essentially when you have enough money in the bank to so that you can decide what to do with your time instead of being at the mercy of your impulsion and the job you use to finance them.

My attempt at creating Chick Fil A's Chicken Sandwich

A big part of achieving financial independence is trimming out the things/activities that are slowing you down on your path. One of the major culprits standing in our way is spending too much money on going out to eat. Reading a book about the FIRE movement I came a cross an idea that I really liked and I quickly implemented it into my life. The idea was "Learn to cook so well that you don't want to eat anywhere but home". 

Mozzarella stuffed pepperoni Pizza

Cooking is one of those skills that is easy to continue to push to the back burner but once you have it it is awesome to have. The ability to be able to quickly put something together that taste great will not only make you happy but also bring joy to the people around you. Specially if you consider that most restaurants mark up their food 300%.

Breakfast Souffle

What I'm trying to say here, specially with the title, is that you don't need to deprive yourself from the delicacies of life. You just need to learn how to make them yourself and you'll be in for a real treat. Let me give you an example. You go to a nice restaurants let's say Ruth's Chris and you order a nice piece of steak. The website does not have the price but I can guarantee that this plate (with no sides) costs at least $50. But hey we didn't come here to cheap out on the side right? And how about the wine? You have to paid a nice juicy steak with a glass of cabernet sauvignon. All of a sudden the meal for you and your significant other cost nearly $200 including tip.

Home made humus

What if on the other hand you bought yourself a couple of bottles of wine from your local liqueur store. Made some humus or bruschettas as an appetizer while the $25 steaks you purchased from the local butcher were slow cooking in the over while you chat it up with your significant other while drinking some wine. Believe that the steak that you take out of your over and then sear will have been the same if not better than that of Ruth's Chris and you would have spend perhaps a bit more than a quarter of what you did at the restaurant. And arguably had a better time while simultaneously impressing your guest. 

Home made donuts

I'll end with a few thoughts. It's not about being cheap, it's about getting the best out of life without leaving you in financial ruin. If you've eaten out most of your life and this is the first time you'll start cooking it might not be great from the very beginning but as with all things practice makes perfect. The money you would save, specially in your 20s (as described by the Money Guy Show),  is worth at least 80 times that should you invest it. Meaning that making these small changes here and there and saving a buck here an there will set you well on your way towards financial independence. 

Home made meat empanadas

And if nothing else it will give you a great skill that you can share with your friends and family.

Becoming financially independent is all about taking a lot of little calculated decisions that will lead you to success.