How To Save Money on Family Movie Night Food

Family Movie Night in our home has often been quite an expensive activity, mainly because we get a takeaway. I have decided to challenge myself in this post and I will show you how to save money on family movie night food in your home too.

Ok, so apart from finding a cheap movie to show the kids, we have always been one of those families who gets themselves a takeaway as a little treat on the weekend. I have tried so hard not to in the past, but when the kids really want their favorite takeaway food, I tend to give in to easily. I have decided that I am going to attempt to save a little cash and rather than spending the usual £20 on having food delivered to the door, I am going to cook a similar meal myself for a fraction of the cost.

How to Save Money on Family Movie Night Food

Firstly I have to ask the question, Why Should I be saving money? In our case, we need to budget a little better. The Cost of living has gone up and the boys as they get older seem to be costing even more money than when they were little. If we are not buying the latest trainers and fashion wear, we seem to be spending money on bus fares and so on. Payday never seems to come quick enough, so I want to cut back on some of the luxuries and attempt to get my budget under control quickly.

Convenience vs Home Cooking

Last month I ordered a Takeaway for our Family movie night and couldn’t believe the price. It cost me nearly £30.00 and that was without all the additional costs for the sweets and popcorn we normally like to have. I know spending that kind of money is wrong for the sake of a bit of convenience and a small taste change, if any at all! Even spending our usual £20 seems too extravagant to me right now.

Choosing your food substitutes

I purchased a pack of two Asda smart price pizza’s for £2.00, the toppings are a little on the scarce side so I purchased a bag of Asda Smart price cheese and added this to the pizza topping. There was still plenty of cheese left to use another day on the children’s pack ups and for other meals.

I bought a pack of Garlic bread with cheese from Iceland for £1.25 which contained 6 slices, which is more than adequate for the family to get their vampire fighting fix (helping assist in making their tummy’s a little fuller).

I then purchased a bottle of Pepsi Max for £1.00 from Asda, Cheese Nachos 89p and sweet popcorn 89p from Aldi (which after sampling different brands Aldi’s popcorn wins hands down). Every movie night needs some chocolate and what better than a large bag of Giant Cadburys chocolate buttons on offer for £1.00 from Asda (Someone always seems to have a deal on these chocolate delights).

What Savings Did I Make?

Altogether this cost is far lower than we have paid previously with a total sum of £8.03 nearly a £22 saving. I certainly won’t be paying anything like the cost of our previous movie meals from the a local take away again. I would also argue that home cooked food is healthier and at least you know where the products have come from. I am not saying takeaways are unclean because I am sure they are very clean, but at least I know 100% that I have washed my hands and prepared the food hygienically yourself.

So now I am already thinking of new ideas for our next family movie night meal, hmmm maybe a Chinese themed banquet or my version of a KFC boxed meal for my family. I haven’t had any complaints not one from my children or my husband and they can eat plenty, pizza, popcorn, chocolate and Nachos all were a massive hit!

Why not give it a try to yourself! Just see how much you can save by changing from Takeaways to home cooking.

Please leave a comment with your suggestions if you have any great ideas please let me know and I will try them next time!