I find that without trying particularly hard or trying to find deals or optimize my shopping, cooking is slightly less expensive than eating out at cheap places

I find that without trying particularly hard or trying to find deals or optimize my shopping, cooking is slightly less expensive than eating out at cheap places. The real gain is total control over my diet and the way things are made. For instance, I feel that almost all food in restaurants is extremely over salted. It tends to be greasy, too. And the cooks are oft stingy with expensive ingredients. None of that conflict of interest when I make it for myself from scratch.