This was the heading of an article in today’s paper (Dominion Post). The article was discussing that fast-food sales typically increase in an economic downturn. McDonald’s NZ has enjoyed a record New Year period. It seems McDonald’s Britain has also reported 2008 as one of its best years for two decades (Timesonline). The paper linked the fast food trends to restaurant diners looking for cheaper options which to me sounds bizarre. I can’t imagine choosing to get takeaways instead of going to a restaurant that I can no longer afford to go to. I would rather go and buy similar food to what I might have had in a restaurant and cook it myself. Tonight we are having a meal which will cost us about $9 in ingredients plus the electricity. There are very few takeaways that would come close to $4.50 for a meal and taste that good. It’s not that I don’t eat fast food but in an economic downturn one of the few things I can try to control is my food budget. We’re not likely to get many pay rises during an economic downturn but I can award myself a ‘pay rise’ by reducing my food costs.
My husband admitted to me yesterday that he really likes our food planner, he said he likes being able to see what is for dinner, it gives him something to look forward to when he’s working during the day. I was surprised because he is a big takeaway guy but he really has been enjoying all our meals. Not sure how long he will last in our takeaway free zone but he’s doing well so far!