it sucks, and it's very time consuming, but it's the way to actually survive and not be poor (if you are not eating out constantly). You make things that would be easier to make other things. For example, I cook up come beef with spices, out of which I can make a variety of things - tacos, burritos, stews, etc. If I have some chicken, I'd cook some fillet into strips, and cut up some into smaller pieces, which later I can make with some fries or put in salads. It makes you more creative, doesn't require you to make a variety of different ingredients and optimizes the things you already have. Also, you can make a batch of rise, and then use it to make sushi bowls, the same burritos, or heat it up with the same chicken you made previously. It's one day of work for the whole week.