Being an adult is having the “we have food at home” talk with yourself. More exact words have never been spoken.

I was and still am a HUGE fan of eating out. When I was little, I would always beg and cry for my mom to stop by the McDonalds or Burger King on the way home from school. To my surprise, almost every time (except on a few occasions) she would only say ‘no sweetie we have food at home.’ I used to think that was a ridiculous answer. Seriously. I told myself that when I got old enough, I would buy whatever food I wanted whenever I wanted, no matter the cost. Because I was an adult and I could have that luxury if I wanted to. I was wrong.

Did you know that in 2016, food and drink sales in the U.S. restaurant industry amounted to 766 billion U.S. dollars, according to Statista?

What's even more interesting is that in this day and age, millennials not only spend the most money on food but also in some cases, they make the least amount of money. Sixty percent of millennials admit to spending more than $4 on coffee, 79 percent will splurge to eat at restaurants, and 69 percent will spend their money on clothing, CNBC states

That’s why I am here to tell you that saving money on food is one of the most important decisions you should make in your 20’s.

Making your money last until the end of the month, while still eating, paying bills and adding money into your savings, may seem challenging, but it's not impossible. One trick to saving money the quickest is to limit your spending on food.

Here are four tricks to help you save money this month.

1. BE FRUGAL AT WORK

Say it with me! We have food at home. We can cook at home. Make that your new mantra. Buying lunch and breakfast every day at work can quickly turn into an expensive habit. I recommend that you cook your own food at home instead of making frequent stops at your favorite drive-thru or local restaurant. Let that be a once-a-week treat at your favorite place, not an everyday affair.

PHOTO: Pexels

2. MAKE YOUR OWN CUP OF JOE

Another top money drainer almost everyone loses cash to is coffee. An average cup of coffee ranges from around $3-5. If you buy coffee every day, the yearly cost spent is roughly $1,000. Want a less expensive way to indulge in the caffeine routine? Try brewing a pot at home. Making coffee at home will only cost an estimated $176 annually. In comparison, that seems like the better deal.

PHOTO: Lisa Fotios

3. CHOSE FROZEN PIZZA OVER DELIVERY

Who doesn’t love pizza? I know I do. However, another money-stealer is the popular choice of pizza delivery.

The average price of ordering a pizza from Pizza Hut or Domino’s – including delivery – is $15.99. Say you order pizza roughly three times a month for a whole year, that’s a staggering $575.

This is why frozen pizzas like Digiornos may become your new best friend when it comes to saving money. Instead of picking up that phone to dial for delivery, why not pick up a few gourmet frozen pizzas. These pizza assortments are tasty and priced at around only $6- $7 versus the other leading pizza brands. Purchasing store-bought pizza will cost only around $260 yearly, which is a significant difference. Even better, buy the ingredients to make your own instead. It will still cost you less.

PHOTO: Pexels

4. HAVE A THRIFTY NIGHT OUT

Believe it or not, us millennials can still have a social life on a budget. Going out with friends doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank if you know the right way to look. Always check for places with happy hour deals, brunch specials, half-priced nights and ladies’ nights, and plan accordingly. Your wallet and savings with thank you!

PHOTO: Picography

Try out these thrifty habits now and get that spending under control! I am sure you will see a positive difference in not only your bank statement, but also in life.

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Money management