[borroka]

"the cost for most people". -- I disagree, it just takes some planning.

A Big Mac menu goes for 10+ dollars where I live.

Sirloin steak, which is reasonably lean (you can go leaner and cheaper with something like London Broil, every 3 weeks it is sold at 2.50 t0 3 dollars per pound), when on sale (this is the planning I was referring to) can be bought for 3-4 dollars per pound. One can buy 20 pounds for 60-80 dollars. A big bag of frozen vegetables, enough for 10 meals, it's sold at Costco for 10 dollars.

A whole day of abundant eating (2 pounds of steak and vegetables) can cost less than a Big Mac menu. You can throw in some potatoes and eggs and pay per day what you would pay at MacDonalds or equivalent per meal.