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Gen Zers don’t cook. It’s costing them.

Reasonably Optimistic
This podcast explores the surprising financial and cultural reasons why many young people today choose takeout over home cooking, challenging the traditional view that cooking at home is always the cheaper option.
The discussion begins by addressing common criticisms of Gen Z's spending habits, noting that similar complaints have been made about every generation. While startup costs for a well-stocked kitchen can be high, the per-serving cost of home cooking is still lower than takeout. However, Gen Z's expectations for food have been raised by growing up in wealthier households with access to diverse cuisines and delivery services, making home cooking seem less appealing. The core issue is hyperbolic discounting, where the immediate gratification of convenient takeout outweighs the long-term financial benefits of cooking, a tendency worsened by anxiety and depression. Ultimately, while modern conveniences make ordering food more attractive, the episode questions whether the cost of that convenience is truly worth it.
00:10
00:10
Cooking cheaply is possible and even enjoyable.
05:17
05:17
Cooking at home saves money over time.
13:46
13:46
Immediate gratification from affordable takeout outweighs long-term financial health
17:11
17:11
Cooking can help create an internal locus of control