brip blap - Latest Comments in how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Frugalchick — Mon, 19 May 2008 05:19:02 -0000

Heh, that $9K spent on lunches really caught my attention. But you're right, one way to really control the spending is to think how much that money will be if you invest it. Gosh, I don't think I'll be eating out for lunch anytime soon!

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

calgirlfinance — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:50:49 -0000

One thing that makes bringing salad to work easier is leaving a bottle of dressing at work and just bringing the veggies everyday. That way the salad doesn't get soaked in the dressing before you eat it.

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

The Financial Blogger — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:43:31 -0000

Steve, why don't you just cook more food for dinner and brown bag it for the next day? It will be cheap and healthy :-D

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Designer Diaper Bags — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:57:12 -0000

I put EVERYTHING on my Amex Costco Cash Rebate card - food gets me 3% cash back. I also pay it off every month, so its essentially free money.

Two years ago I found out that I had spent about $6,000 on eating out. On the flip side, we did get $427 back at the end of the year!

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Steve (Brip Blap) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:43:56 -0000

@42: Haha :) and ewww :) Actually, you inspired me - I had tuna fish for dinner.
@AJC: True - although you could end up obsessing too much...
@Squawkfox: Thanks - I hope it is, at least. Actually as I mentioned I've been much better recently.
@No Debt Plan: I have found there's only one way to eat healthy if you go out frequently, which is to become a whiny jerk. In the last few weeks I've been trying to cut back on carbs and I just refuse absolutely to participate in any departmental activities that are carb-heavy.
@Mrs. Micah: $1300 is a lot although if you saw my $5 salad today you'd realize that an average of $6.50 per day in New York is not exactly buying the filet mignon, so short of bringing food I'm doing well. Today, I had lettuce, shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and some lentils. $5. Argh...

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Mrs. Micah — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:21:11 -0000

Whew, so not $9000 out of pocket. I was wondering where the heck you'd been eating. And thinking that we made a little bit over twice that this year (since I was a student for the first half). Crazy. But even $1300 is a lot.

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

No Debt Plan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:13:48 -0000

I have to take 2-3 clients out to breakfast/lunch per week. So it looks like I spend a lot too -- on my AMEX Blue Cash. But I don't really have a choice... eating healthy with clients is hard, too.

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

squawkfox — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:39:51 -0000

Ahh, the cost of not investing the "lunch money" brings the total to 9K. You got me in a panic there. My work colleagues always poke a little fun at me for brown bagging my lunch daily. I'm laughing all the way to the bank to be honest. I even put together a guide to eating lunch frugally: 5 Frugalicious Lunches (A Visual Guide).

Basically, being honest and less lazy is a good start. ;)

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

AJC @ 7million7years — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:46:04 -0000

Makes me wonder how much we could cut down our spending if we all carried around a 'Future Value Calculator'? :)

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

42 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:56:44 -0000

lemme see: big tub organic spring mix: $4-5, 16 cans of tuna at Costco: $10, organic dressing $2-3 a bottle. so for a 5-day workweek that's what, like $1.75 a day for my lunch, and it's good for ya.

too bad my breath smells like cat food, and by Friday I just want a cheeseburger, but I sure am saving money on lunches!

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

SavingDiva — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:15:59 -0000

I love to eat out at lunch! Dinner is fun, but lunch is fantastic! I walk with a few coworkers to different restaurants...we catch up, get away from work, and I get to try different types of food that I probably wouldn't try. Most of my coworkers foreign are very persuasive. Plus, they really enjoy sharing their food likes and dislikes...

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Steve (Brip Blap) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:53:45 -0000

@Trent: The more I do it, the better I find it helps, too. I think the "writing down" part helps a lot, as opposed to just tracking through Mint or Yodlee or other online sources. It's one thing to see it and another to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write that number down.

Re: how I managed to spend almost $9000 on lunch this year

Trent Hamm — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:19:42 -0000

Keeping really careful (almost neurotic) track of your spending is a great way to psychologically keep yourself focused on saving. It really works well, for me at least.