Cheap Eats: Food and the Economy

Rocked by Wall Street, Khalil contemplates the rise in home cooking as a result of the current state of the American economy.

By Khalil Hymore

Mutual funds, stocks and bonds, oh my! Our economy is tumbling, Wall Street is tanking, and gas prices are still at record highs. What is a person to do? Well according to CNN, families should cook at home. Last week CNN.com reported the rise of home cooking as a result of the current state of America's finances. So I supposed there is at least one silver lining in this entire financial hubbub.

The article goes on to point out that people are cooking at home to save money, but I suspect that they are eating in to feel better about their current situation as well. Cooking can be such a relaxing and calming activity, and it can certainly help one take their mind off of their 401(k) or Roth IRA woes. I know that whenever I have a problem I head into the kitchen because it is immensely comforting to me, and I often work out my problems. From the news reports lately, I bet a lot of people might benefit from some quiet time in the kitchen!

I can certainly relate to financial woes. Scott and I have spent the past year house hunting and I have to tell you, we are finding it next to impossible to make a financial decision these days. Is the economy going to slip even further? Can the next president save us? Stay tuned for those answers, but for now, the one way to save some dough is to stay home. Apparently, as per CNN, people who used to spend big bucks on pre-packaged cuisine are finding themselves without even a pot to cook in or a book to cook from (although, as long as you have an internet connection the latter isn't really all THAT necessary). Good thing that Mark Bittman showed us all how to outfit our kitchens for just a few hundred dollars in a great New York Times article last year.

I think that it is fabulous that people are resorting to cooking at home to save some cash and there are some great ways to cut costs without going hungry. At the end of a busy day I usually stick to simple, basic, and inexpensive cooking. Keeping your kitchen stocked with fresh, healthy, and cheap foods such as sweet potatoes, chicken, brown rice, and fresh greens for salad will keep your stomach AND your wallet full. By now you know my mantra: eating in season is often less expensive too. In season fruits and vegetables do not have to travel as far and therefore are generally less expensive (and better for the environment).

In these uncertain times it's nice to know that some things never change like my grandma's gingerbread recipe. Cooking old recipes that remind me of simpler times definitely helps me feel better about the fact that my retirement account has taken a beating. I know that in the end the economy will bounce back, but hopefully people will still continue to cook at home.  Plus, mastering those cooking skills now, will see you through the next economic down turn. Here's my question for you: What's cookin' in your low-budget kitchen?