8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 9, 2011 13:46:09 GMT -5
I usually spend $5 or under, since most of the time I am only getting a sandwich (a darn good one from a place that makes everything fresh).
But my life is so much easier when I don't have to pack lunch. Its one LESS thing I have to do in a morning that already involves two litterboxes and food/water bowls.
I have to eat SOMETHING after all... I buy cold cuts sometimes, but I have a very complicated relationship with food. When I bring sandwiches, I'm also bringing a side like olives or almonds or something else.
Today's sandwich is especially good.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 13:47:27 GMT -5
I love buying lunch at work, too. What I really like is to bring lunch with me, eat it around 9:30 then go out and get lunch. What a great day.
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 9, 2011 13:47:40 GMT -5
I agree! We have a great soup place near my work so when I get lunch out, I go there. It's delicious and cheap ;D I hate packing lunches... I usually go home to have lunch because I'm too lazy to make it in the morning (and I live 2miles from work, lol)
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kgb18
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Post by kgb18 on Mar 9, 2011 13:47:41 GMT -5
I tend to buy lunch out too. I know it's lazy, but I agree that it's one less thing I have to worry about in between getting myself ready, taking care of the pets, taking care of DD, etc.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 9, 2011 13:50:59 GMT -5
...:::"What I really like is to bring lunch with me, eat it around 9:30 then go out and get lunch. What a great day.":::...
Hahahah, I've pulled the "multiple lunch" thing too. Sometimes the call of a place is too hard to resist.
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kgb18
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Post by kgb18 on Mar 9, 2011 13:52:50 GMT -5
Speaking of lunch, I'm getting hungry. I've got to go grab my lunch (purchased on my way into work this morning) out of the fridge.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Mar 9, 2011 13:54:12 GMT -5
I feel ya. Not only is it quick and easy, but it's my zen time. Even if I buy a sandwich from the cafeteria I leave the building to eat. I go park in the shade somewhere, preferably overlooking the bay, turn on NPR, and enjoy my peaceful lunch. Occasionally the cell phone goes off, but for the most part I get a nice relaxing 45 minutes to myself every work day.
Unfortunately, I'll be changing my ritual soon. The wife and I talked last night and we're going to give the envelope method a try for our entertainment money. We'll each have an allowance now, and my lunches will have to come out of that unless I pack something. I usually spend about $6 a day, which seemed reasonable before, but now it's coming out of a smaller pot of money, so its gotta go.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Mar 9, 2011 13:55:01 GMT -5
I love to buy lunch too. I got in the habit when I was pregnant and am trying to limit myself to once a week. It's hard because they have lobster bisque today and it's awesome. But I'm going to go nuke my Lean Cuisine instead.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Mar 9, 2011 13:55:18 GMT -5
That is one of the big things that I miss about my old job. Nothing that I can fix myself can even approximate the goodness of the restaurant downstairs.
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 9, 2011 13:56:43 GMT -5
Now I'm hungry... I had a bagel for "lunch" around 11:30. Stomach is not happy today now I wish I could have something more but not sure I want to risk it.... the soup place does have some delicious chicken noodle though!
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Mar 9, 2011 13:59:34 GMT -5
I work at a hospital. Buying lunch at work is more like a punishment than a treat!
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Mar 9, 2011 14:03:27 GMT -5
A couple years ago, a new company came in and revamped the medical center cafeteria. Now there's a pasta bar, a salad bar, a burger/fries bar, a deli bar, a meal and some sort of 'make on the fly' where they'll do taco salads. They also have someone making sushi.
When they came in and did the revamp, the quality of food went up but so did the price. But I can still go in and get a breakfast sandwich for <$3 or eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and biscuit for the same. Lunches run $6-7. Many times, I'll take a soda and fruit from home and get a sandwich from downstairs.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Mar 9, 2011 14:03:32 GMT -5
y'all are making me miss the old cafeteria here. well, at least the old management and cooks. there's one woman left from the old crew, and she can't do it all. I could get a cup of soup and a half sandwich for $3.49, paired with a piece of fruit from home, and I'm set. I can still get the same price, but the soups haven't been anything to write home about lately. they have stopped doing a hot entree altogether, and the salad bar has been seriously lacking in quality. I've taken to keeping a couple LC's (purchased on sale) in the freezer, and a couple cans of Campbell's "healthy request" soups (also purchased on sale) at my desk. I'll still go check out what's offered in the cafeteria each day, since it involves a walk outdoors to a neighboring building, but I usually end up either eating what I brought in or foraging through my stash. edit: ooh, but if I come in late and don't have time for breakfast, I'll be starving by lunchtime. those days, I'll treat myself to takeout (or a field trip if I can convince someone to come with me) from a local asian noodle place. the chicken noodle soup is amazing, about $9 for a huge bowl, and did I mention it's outstanding? shredded chicken, spinach, roasted garlic, and noodles made fresh every day in chicken broth. yum...I think I might get some takeout for dinner tonight.
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RoadToRiches
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Post by RoadToRiches on Mar 9, 2011 14:05:25 GMT -5
I used to buy lunch everyday. I been packing my own lunch all this year so far. I love it. I pack healthy lunch, it's cheaper, and I always have some snacks to eat too like veggies or fruit.
I am on envelope system so, lunches come out of my "groceries" envelope. It can really bust my budget up if i start eating out on lunches.
Plus, I am trying to eat clean and avoid all that junk they sell.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 9, 2011 14:13:57 GMT -5
I like to buy breakfast in the cafeteria here but we're cutting back on spending to build up our EF.
I don't find taking my own lunch a pain because I just take leftovers from dinner, it takes me the same amount of time to fix as a dinner plate.
Breakfast is a pain because I am trying to get DD ready for daycare, the dogs fed & let out, myself ready for work and it's impossible for me to make the kind of breakfast at home I get here on weekdays.
I am going to attempt to make my own pecan rolls this weekend, we'll see how they turn out.
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kgb18
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Post by kgb18 on Mar 9, 2011 14:15:03 GMT -5
I just started to eat my lunch, and I have only one thing to say, "Blech!!" Because it was raining I bought lunch when I got my coffee on my way into the office. I got a tuna wrap. It's so awful. After two bites I threw it away. I think the tuna may have been spoiled. It was dreadful. So not only did I waste money, but now my lunch is reduced to a cheese stick, Sunchips and a fruit cup.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 9, 2011 14:17:11 GMT -5
...:::"It can really bust my budget up if i start eating out on lunches.":::...
There is no doubt about that. Even my modest $5 per workday adds up to $100 in a month. If I were to spend $7 on lunch, and $3 on breakfast, then that just became $200/month.
I fluctuate back and forth of course. When I have a series of particularly hectic mornings, then $5 seems like a very small price to buy myself back a little time. Plus, I also feel like if I stay away from the grocery store altogether, I recoup my investment. While my "per meal" cost might be lower packing food from home, a trip to the grocery store seems to add expenses. If I continue to make do with what is on hand, then that expensive is avoided and might actually see me coming out ahead!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 14:25:24 GMT -5
I pack DH's lunch if he takes one in (at least 4 days a week) and he's happy with whatever I pack! ;D Sometimes I even put little notes in it... Since I'm home with the kids and we're not trying to get out first thing, I usually have time to throw something into his lunch bag. The hard part is trying to keep it from being the same lunch every day! He doesn't like leftovers, because he doesn't want to waste time heating it up, etc so I try to buy different meats and other items I know he likes and rotate them.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Mar 9, 2011 14:27:53 GMT -5
I've been bringing my lunch - this week it's a Tempeh Stuffed Pepper with a side salad - but I do occassionally hear the siren call of the Corporate Cafe. Tomorrow they will have Butternut Squash Lasanga - That's one of my favorite things that they make. Their sandwiches are really good too, so are the desserts. Bringing your lunch doesn't necessarily mean eating at your desk or that you have to spend the entire time at your desk. I go outside to eat my brought from home lunch as often as possible - I have a repertoire of lunches suitable for eating outside. And it's not just a sandwich and chips. When I do eat at my desk I make a point to "go outside" for a walk. I was amazed at how much money I saved (even with having to buy groceries) and how much more I enjoy my 'gourmet' lunches...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 14:37:21 GMT -5
We actually have a good cafeteria (for a school) with lots of different stations (like a food court). I can eat for $2.75. But there's honestly not time to eat. We get 25 minutes for lunch, and who wants to spend 10 of that getting your food (if you're lucky to be at the front of the line).
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Mar 9, 2011 14:38:57 GMT -5
I bring my lunch. I think homemade food tastes better and generally healthier. Funny thing is I don't like to cook. I cook once a week. This week it is spaghetti. I do like to walk outside when weather permits at lunch though.
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Post by dragonfly7 on Mar 9, 2011 14:47:38 GMT -5
When I'm working, I prefer to pack a lunch for myself, but since DH doesn't plan meals that far ahead, we compromised on frozen meals or large cans of soup so he won't eat out.
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Urban Chicago
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Post by Urban Chicago on Mar 9, 2011 14:48:55 GMT -5
I love eating out, but try to limit it to once a week since it's expensive and bad for me. There's a fabulous Mexican grill that will deliver to our office, but I save that for special office stuff. Fortunately, DH loves it when I pack him a lunch, so there's no excuse to make one but not two.
I was amazed at this one group of women in my old office. They ate out almost every day, at a place that was cheap but REALLY bad for you. They sent the same person to pick up the lunch, then bring it back. Parking was a huge issue around there, so she was generally either 20 minutes late getting back or had to spend an extra $10 every day to park in the lot. Of course, once she came back, they'd all eat for another half hour. Lunches for them turned into about 2 hours each. I really don't understand why the boss never cracked down on this. Of course, they also were always complaining about how broke they were.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Mar 9, 2011 15:36:05 GMT -5
If mornings are hectic and you want to save money, make your lunch the night before.
I am not a morning person so I make my DH's lunch the night before. In the morning all he has to do is grab it out of the fridge.
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Post by illinicheme on Mar 9, 2011 15:42:40 GMT -5
I also like buying lunch at work. My current employer has a phenomenal cafeteria that is reasonably priced. I try to balance taking my lunch with buying lunch at work for both health and money reasons. (When I buy lunch at work, it's hard to resist the wood-fired pizzas and the amazing array of Asian entrees, particularly the noodles. I'm not too likely to only get a salad when I wander over there.)
Most weeks I bring lunch 2-3 times and buy lunch 2-3 times. Sometimes I'm great and bring lunch every day. Other times I go through a 2 week period of buying my lunch.
I do get free lunch quite frequently through lunch meetings. The meetings are a hassle, but at least this place caters great sandwiches from a local deli. (Previous employer catered horrendous sandwiches from the horrendous cafeteria.)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 16:16:26 GMT -5
I don't think my company cafeteria is giving us any kind of a subsidy on the prices. I used to eat things from home 100% of the time, but now I use the salad bar a few times a week for things to add to my canned soup if there weren't any dinner leftovers I could pack for lunch. Nuke the veggies (spinach, onions, green peppers, mushrooms) for 30 seconds, then throw in the soup and heat it through. Add hot sauce. Breakfast is oatmeal made from a giant canister of store brand that I bring from home. I think a serving of oatmeal from downstairs costs about the same as a whole canister of quick-cooking oats.
For me, it's mostly about saving money but also about staying healthy. They have a lot of fried and fatty foods in the cafeteria, and I just don't like that stuff anymore.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 9, 2011 16:22:50 GMT -5
...:::"I am not a morning person so I make my DH's lunch the night before. In the morning all he has to do is grab it out of the fridge.":::...
I've tried this. When I buy cold cuts, I'll portion them out and wrap them so I can just grab one and put it in my bag. If I have gone to the store, bought such cold cuts, and taken the time to parse them out, this is fine.
Sometimes I'll boil some macaroni if I have sauce already made. Sometimes I have leftovers, but lately we have really scaled back dinner to being maybe some eggs and an english muffin. I am tired of getting home late, spending an hour cooking, then sitting down to eat a big meal at 8pm, and then having to clean up afterward.
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dividend
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Post by dividend on Mar 9, 2011 17:03:41 GMT -5
I made a big pot of minestrone soup on Sunday, and packed 5 servings of it in a glass snap-lock. Then I packed up a tote with the soup, whole grain dinner rolls (and pats of butter), apples, peanut butter, and Larabars. (I packed one for DBF as well.) I stashed it in the office fridge on Monday morning, and my lunch + 2 daily snacks are taken care of for the entire week. I love it! It makes feeding myself at work completely stress free. I'm pretty sure it all costs less than $5/day, too.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Mar 9, 2011 17:04:12 GMT -5
My favorite lunches were when I worked with two woman and a male boss. He would go to lunch and we women would stay and make lunch at a conference table. Each of us would bring things to make salad and we shared. We would cut up things to toss in the big bowl, whatever we had so never the same twice. One was on Weight watches so we supported her diet and the other didn't eat meat except chicken so it was almost entirely healthy veggies and salsa as a dressing with toppers like cheese or olives, water chestnuts, sunflower seeds. What was in the salad was random based on what people found at the store and wanted to share.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Mar 9, 2011 17:10:30 GMT -5
If there are cheap things around me I'm missing them. I used to be able to get a sandwich and chips for $3.99 but they just changed stuff and increased the prices. They made these salads for $6.25 but they did away with them in the revamping. I am very unimpressed with the revamping. I am trying to bring my lunch but if I've been out of town for the weekend, I am usually getting back too late Sunday night to mess with it.
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