If you include all of the costs of preparing your own meals, I don't think there is any contest. Time is expensive, the opportunity cost of a kitchen is substan

If you include all of the costs of preparing your own meals, I don't think there is any contest. Time is expensive, the opportunity cost of a kitchen is substantial. In many cases, the cost of just those two things alone is enough to pay for all of your meals out at a reasonably priced restaurant. And we have only started to scratch the surface of all of the costs involved. If you only look at the cost of the raw ingredients, then cooking yourself is tough to compete with. Then again, if you only look at the price of lumber, building your own furniture is pretty tough to compete with too. Is that a good way to look at it? I'm not sure. Either way, for myself, I would quickly grow frustrated by a diet of junk food and/or eating at restraints frequently. I'll gladly take the time and pay a premium to have my own kitchen.