Following the theme of ending the summer posts I thought tonight I would post some cheap eats. Its always fun to go out and eat, however, now that summer is almost over many of us are running a bit short on funds and need to start finding the cheapest places to eat. Going out with friends after work, or during lunch is fun but can also become prohibitively expensive. With that in mind I've got some quick and easy ways to save some money.


First things first try to cook at home if you have access to a kitchen, although I know not everyone does.  Cooking at home is relatively easy, and its typically much cheaper than eating out.  The most common grocery stores in DC are Safeways, which sometimes have decent deals, but if you have access to a car head to a Giant to find better prices.  For those of you in the Foggy Bottom Area checkout the Trader Joe's.  Finally if you have a membership there's always the Costco at Pentagon City - you also have the benefit of getting free samples and cheap hot dog while you're there.

If you don't have a full kitchen though don't despair.  My first two years at college I had limited kitchen access and was still able to cook at home fairly often using a microwave.  Pick up a microwavable rice steamer, and you can cook rice, veggies, even meat or tofu.  Check the instructions for your steamer but you can usually get a dcent meal done in about 10-12 minutes depending on the ingredients.  It won't be the most delicious thing you've ever eaten but doing this I've been able to keep my food costs relevantly low.  If you search around on the internet you can even find some recipe's for microwavable bread although it doesn't always turn out too well.