My dad has been slacking the past few weeks on packing my lunch, so I've been on my own again. Last week I'll just say that I did less than stellar. I didn't stick to my $15 cash only system. I think I ended up going over by $5 or so. Not bad over all, but if I did that every week that's an extra $20 a month I'm wasting on fast food. This week I made up for it, so far I've only spent $2.18 for lunch (but I am going out with my mother this afternoon).
Monday: SmartOnes entree and pretzels
Tuesday: McDonalds w/Mr. Right - he paid (I bought the $100 ring, he can get my $1 double cheese burger
Wednesday: Texas Roadhouse - my boss's treat
Thursday: ZMex/Bellicino's with Mr. Right - EPO (each pay own) I had a coupon for a $1.99 kids meal. Zmex portions are too large anyway so the kids meal was just right.
My mom and I are going to a bistro for lunch (it just recently opened) so we're going to splurge a little - but I think we're going to share a meal, so we'll still keep our costs around $5 each.
Maybe I'll feel less restricted if I budget myself $30 a paycheck (I get paid every other week) rather than $15 a week. That way if one week i feel like eating out a little more, I can just make up for it next week.
Limiting (or eliminating) fast food is definitely a good way to cut your budget (and mostly likely your waistline as a result!) For more frugal tips check out Frugal Friday.
This is a good idea. We go out for lunch a lot (lots of times my uncle will pay). It's actually cheaper for us to go to a buffet like Cici's than McD's because Princess is still small enough to eat free at buffets. The only truly "cheap" fast food lunch is Wendy's - everything from the dollar menu. I can get a salad & chili for me and chicken nuggets and oranges for Princess for just over $4.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a money saver! I try to bring my lunch to work every day, but sometimes I really want to go out so I do that about once every two weeks. Lunches are so expensive where I live though. It seems to run about $10 around here. One thing that helps me is if I take leftovers from dinner and immediately put them in lunch-sized containers. Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you always have one dollar bills, that way you won't be forced to splurge because you don't want to wait for change or because it's awkward to be waiting for change in front of another person or group.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said on my blog, it's always embarrasing to never be able to throw in a few dollars for parking, gas, whatever.
I am so blessed that my husband doesn't complain about not eating out much. He almost always takes leftovers or sandwiches that I make here at home. We save so much money that way! Sometimes you can find coupons for McDonald's or Chick-fil-a, etc. and get a really good deal!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! How exciting you will be fixing up your new home soon!