Overheard at Work 2

[Adventine]

Now that does sound more like somewhere we'd find you!

If you have any (non-confidential) war stories from that workplace, do let us know.

None of this invective is directed at you, but there's been a development.

[Management incompetence described with highly amusing and creative profanity]

Rubber duck revolution time, @TheGrimSqueaker

[SwordGuy]

Of course those responsible will promote one another -- otherwise someone would have to admit they screwed up -- and that's never on the table.

[dragoncar]

Now I know why the squeaker is so grim

[Warlord1986]

I was talking to a pair of coworkers the other week. I adore them both, and while we were talking about income inequality and damaging social conventions, I was down with the conversation. Then one of them said that the American dream is dead, the other agreed, and I was so flabbergasted that I couldn't think of anything to say.

Of the three of us, two have Master's degrees. The other is thinking about getting a Master's, and we work for an organization that will help with at least part of the cost. One of them has moved up through the ranks of the organization and is now Asst. Director of our department. I was able to leave a toxic job and work part time for a while. All three of us have paychecks that are as steady as you can get right now, healthcare, and retirement. Granted, the paychecks aren't super duper high, but they're not terrible. I was able to start a couple of side gigs and put that money aside, and I know both these women have some in-demand skills they could monetize.

All three of us are living the American dream, so it struck me as odd they would think it was dead.

[SwordGuy]

@Warlord1986 , that's a very fashionable belief amongst many of my fellow liberals.   It's utter rubbish.

Now, where they are right is that for some folks in some situations, it's a hell of a lot harder to make that dream work, and as a society we need to fix that.

But for regular middle class folks with steady jobs, who aren't subjected to catastrophic medical or legal woes, we know that the American dream is alive and well.   Your friends don't.   

Did you tell them about FIRE?   Don't expect any changes from them, it's easier to blame "the system" or "them" than it is to change one's own behavior.

[Warlord1986]

I have mentioned frugal living and the importance of saving money. It is usually drowned out by the importance of subscribing to every streaming service under the sun, eating out, and clothing box subscriptions. One coworker and I had a conversation about batch cooking, which relieves the desire to get take out after long days at work. However, he belongs to a religious/ethnic minority that has been historically derided for practicing money management, so I'm cautious about mentioning the subject to him.

I've been a bit more open about to the Dept. Director, and I've gotten some hints that he appreciates good financial management.

However, I do have a friend who is working two jobs, trying to rebuild her emergency fund, and pay down debt. I've been a little bit more open about it with her. I try to mention the things I think she's doing really well in (rebuilding the emergency fund, ditching the spendy-jerk boyfriend), and encourage her to put money aside and be more disciplined about spending. I just gifted her some old jars for storing chopped veggies in for later cooking, and she seemed to really appreciate that. Hopefully that will stick.

[Adventine]

@Warlord1986 @SwordGuy I'm not an American, but I've been raised with the concept of the American dream as an aspiration that could be possible for me, if I wanted it.

When I visited the States last year, I was struck by two things: first, the general waste and excess. People have so much stuff. Even poor people have houses full of consumer junk! I wondered, how can they call themselves poor when they have cars, smartphones, home internet, Amazon Prime, their own rooms, their own beds? I don't doubt there are truly poor people in America, but many of those who call themselves "poor" have normalized a standard of living that, in many other countries, is enjoyed only by the wealthy.

Second, I saw that, despite its well-publicized problems, there is still amazing opportunity in America. There are so many ways to earn a decent living.

And so it saddens me that so many Americans are cynical and jaded about the American dream, and say that it is dead. It's not dead. Many have just taken it for granted.

[LennStar]

I think it depends on what you mean by "American Dream". Did the coworkers talk about themselves, or the society as a whole? And what did they mean axactly by that dream?

Because if it is about the "dishwasher to millionaire" story, they are right. Social mobility in the USA is one of the worst in the world.
The "Socialist" nordic states are way better for example. That is because A) the difference beween the upper and lower parts is smaller and B) that is helped by everyone getting a good education and health care and unemployment help. The starting point is better and the race to top-ish shorter.

[Just Joe]

Any level of hobby can look ridiculous to those looking on from the outside, especially spouses.

When I was motorcycle racing, people would take a brand new $6000 motorcycle and put 3 grand or more into "upgrades" that were NOT required by the safety rules*.
I was tempted, but I knew the problem was not the bike, it was me.
I had evidence.  I was endurance racing, and had a partner who got on my bike and proceeded to go 15% faster than I did.  Same bike same tires same gas same day same weather etc etc.
This means that in a 10 lap race he would have lapped me at least once.

* When I had a racebike stolen, I bought a used racebike and counted up all the extras that were on it and came up with at least 3 grand.

I get it. I have a 350 lb 200 song iPod equivalent.

[Tigerpine]

@Warlord1986 @SwordGuy I'm not an American, but I've been raised with the concept of the American dream as an aspiration that could be possible for me, if I wanted it.

When I visited the States last year, I was struck by two things: first, the general waste and excess. People have so much stuff. Even poor people have houses full of consumer junk! I wondered, how can they call themselves poor when they have cars, smartphones, home internet, Amazon Prime, their own rooms, their own beds? I don't doubt there are truly poor people in America, but many of those who call themselves "poor" have normalized a standard of living that, in many other countries, is enjoyed only by the wealthy.

Second, I saw that, despite its well-publicized problems, there is still amazing opportunity in America. There are so many ways to earn a decent living.

And so it saddens me that so many Americans are cynical and jaded about the American dream, and say that it is dead. It's not dead. Many have just taken it for granted.

This is why I actually love immigrants to the US.  They see opportunities and dreams to be had whereas born-and-bred Americans are so often blind to it.

[SwordGuy]

@Warlord1986 @SwordGuy I'm not an American, but I've been raised with the concept of the American dream as an aspiration that could be possible for me, if I wanted it.

When I visited the States last year, I was struck by two things: first, the general waste and excess. People have so much stuff. Even poor people have houses full of consumer junk! I wondered, how can they call themselves poor when they have cars, smartphones, home internet, Amazon Prime, their own rooms, their own beds? I don't doubt there are truly poor people in America, but many of those who call themselves "poor" have normalized a standard of living that, in many other countries, is enjoyed only by the wealthy.

Second, I saw that, despite its well-publicized problems, there is still amazing opportunity in America. There are so many ways to earn a decent living.

And so it saddens me that so many Americans are cynical and jaded about the American dream, and say that it is dead. It's not dead. Many have just taken it for granted.

This is why I actually love immigrants to the US.  They see opportunities and dreams to be had whereas born-and-bred Americans are so often blind to it.

Ditto!    The Millionaire Next Door showed that the longer an ethnic group had been in the US in numbers, the lower its percentage of millionaires.   

[Dave1442397]

@Warlord1986 @SwordGuy I'm not an American, but I've been raised with the concept of the American dream as an aspiration that could be possible for me, if I wanted it.

When I visited the States last year, I was struck by two things: first, the general waste and excess. People have so much stuff. Even poor people have houses full of consumer junk! I wondered, how can they call themselves poor when they have cars, smartphones, home internet, Amazon Prime, their own rooms, their own beds? I don't doubt there are truly poor people in America, but many of those who call themselves "poor" have normalized a standard of living that, in many other countries, is enjoyed only by the wealthy.

Second, I saw that, despite its well-publicized problems, there is still amazing opportunity in America. There are so many ways to earn a decent living.

And so it saddens me that so many Americans are cynical and jaded about the American dream, and say that it is dead. It's not dead. Many have just taken it for granted.

This is why I actually love immigrants to the US.  They see opportunities and dreams to be had whereas born-and-bred Americans are so often blind to it.

As an immigrant, I was ready to do whatever it took to make it in the US. I went from zero to a six-figure income in six years.

[hudsoncat]

This is just a silly little story... but it made me shake my head a bit.

I have a work friend who knows that the Hudsoncat family tends to be on frugal side and likes to gently tease about what they consider "extreme" cost cuttings sometimes (for the record I don't even think we are very mustachian. We still have some wasteful spending that I know we could rein in if we wanted). So she asked how I was saving money this month while we were waiting for another co-worker to log on to the meeting the other day.

Me: Oh, once Mr. Hudsoncat is done watching the Mandalorian season, it's time to turn off Disney+ and turn on Netflix. 

CW: wait, you turn streaming services on and off?!

Me: Yes. We don't watch a ton of TV anyway, so we'll turn one on, watch whatever we want, turn it off, move on to another one. Wash & repeat.

CW: You do this regularly?

Me: Not really, we switch every 4-6 months?

CW: That seems like a lot of work to save so little money!

Me: Well, again we don't watch a lot of TV. And switching only takes like 5-10 minutes. I mean how many streaming services can you regularly watch at any given time!

CW: We have at least 5. Maybe 6? I don't know. I think [husband] added the Apple one last month. At least if they are all active I know I can watch them if I want to!

Me: Don't you also have cable?

CW: Well yes, but we get our internet cheaper because we have cable too.

Our other co-worker joined at that point and we started the meeting. But I couldn't help shaking my head a bit to myself.

[PDXTabs]

@hudsoncat,

I do that too! I have at most two going at at time, sometimes one.

[Kazyan]

Cable bills suddenly sound outrageous when you break them up into 5 or 6 different streaming subscriptions, even if they total to roughly the same price. Yikes!

[dragoncar]

We’ve had Disney plus this year due to the Amex platinum streaming credit (got it got the bonus and then they waived our last AF... almost feel bad for them how much we’ve profited from this card).  Mentioned to wife we would be canceling if they don’t waive the fee again, so let’s finish anything we need to watch, and she was like NOOO.  We watch maybe 1 movie every 2 months.  I was like... we can just pay for a month if we feel like watching something and then she got it.

[Freedomin5]

An acquaintance at work asked to meet up with me a couple months ago to talk about “finances and job satisfaction”. Even though they are an upper middle class couple with a household income of ~$500k, they were stressed out because they had no savings and “everything in this VHCOL city is so expensive!” They live in a four bedroom penthouse suite overlooking a man made lake.  Meanwhile, my family spends $1000/month and $1500 when we are really splurgy.

Well, they’ve been posting their Christmas staycation pictures for everyone to see. They haven’t left the city. Instead they’ve choosing to stay at the Ritz Carlton downtown. They also both look like they’ve been freshly botoxed. Their mouths are curled upwards but everything else on their faces look strangely smooth and frozen. I think they’re in their late 30s.

Well, now I know why you have no savings.

[Taran Wanderer]

... upper middle class wealthycouple with a household income of ~$500k...

There, fixed that for you.

(Yes, I realize “wealth” is a net worth measure and “income” is not, but their income would allow them to become wealthy if they made better choices...)

[Tigerpine]

... upper middle class wealthycouple with a household income of ~$500k...

There, fixed that for you.

(Yes, I realize “wealth” is a net worth measure and “income” is not, but their income would allow them to become wealthy if they made better choices...)

I like the term "Income Affluent" as opposed to "Balance Sheet Affluent".  These are not my terms; they come from Thomas Stanley's work.

[Taran Wanderer]

I like the term "Income Affluent" as opposed to "Balance Sheet Affluent".  These are not my terms; they come from Thomas Stanley's work.

Oh, I like those.  Thanks!

[Valley of Plenty]

Coworkers in the break room were comparing their auto insurance rates.

Coworker 1: "I pay a little over $300 a month for the insurance on all 4 of my vehicles"

Coworker 2: "Hah! I only pay $280 a month for all six of my vehicles!"

Me: "I pay for 6 months up front but it works out to be $48 a month for my 1 car."

Coworker 2: "Is that just for liability?"

Me: "Yeah"

Coworker 1: "What are you gonna do if you total it?"

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"




Coworker 1  is a single 21 year old guy, has a newish Dodge Charger, early 2010s pickup truck, and 2 motorcycles. Coworker 2  is a married guy in his 40s, unsure what all his fleet consists of but I know he mentioned at least 2 cars and 2 trucks. Both of these guys make about what I do, around $60k a year. I'd expect that their vehicles are probably eating up around a quarter of their take home pay, after accounting for loan payments, insurance, registration, and fuel. And yet somehow I'm the crazy one for only having one car that I own outright and don't carry full coverage on.

[dragoncar]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

[scottish]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

Naw, it's the same way in Ontario.   The plate stays with the owner.

[Raenia]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

It's both, sorta.  The plate belongs to the owner, and when you sell the car, you take your plate off.  Then when you go get the new car registered, you register your plate to the new vehicle.  (I'm in PA)

[dragoncar]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

Naw, it's the same way in Ontario.   The plate stays with the owner.

Glad to hear Ontario is finally a state!

[Fomerly known as something]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

Naw, it's the same way in Ontario.   The plate stays with the owner.

Same in Michigan maybe it’s because PA and MI are close to Canada.

[scottish]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

Naw, it's the same way in Ontario.   The plate stays with the owner.

Glad to hear Ontario is finally a state!

Oooh, look who found some nits to pick over the holidays!

[bbqbonelesswing]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

[TomTX]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

It's both, sorta.  The plate belongs to the owner, and when you sell the car, you take your plate off.  Then when you go get the new car registered, you register your plate to the new vehicle.  (I'm in PA)

Texas does this as well.

[Dave1442397]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

It's both, sorta.  The plate belongs to the owner, and when you sell the car, you take your plate off.  Then when you go get the new car registered, you register your plate to the new vehicle.  (I'm in PA)

Texas does this as well.

NJ gives you the option of transferring the plate to a new car or just turning it in and getting a new plate. Depending on when you registered the old car, it can be cheaper to transfer the plate, which is what I did for our last two cars.

[2sk22]

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

Absolutely! I bought lunch when I first started working (year ago) but soon stopped after I realized how much I was spending on eating out every day.

[dragoncar]

Me: "Take off the license plate and buy another car with cash?"

Is this a PA thing?  I thought most states registered licence plates to specific cars

Naw, it's the same way in Ontario.   The plate stays with the owner.

Glad to hear Ontario is finally a state!

Oooh, look who found some nits to pick over the holidays!

Thanks to COVID it’s not just for the holidays.  I’m actually doing it full time now. 

[LennStar]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

My favorite example from the forums is still the guy who went to Starbucks in the morning and midday for a 4$ coffee each time while he got free coffee from his work.
It's literally a fucking house during the "normal" work life that is going into bad coffee there.

[bbqbonelesswing]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

My favorite example from the forums is still the guy who went to Starbucks in the morning and midday for a 4$ coffee each time while he got free coffee from his work.
It's literally a fucking house during the "normal" work life that is going into bad coffee there.

Our office got a super nice coffee machine last year. It's huge; makes espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate, you name it. This thing can even add a dash of vanilla or chocolate flavor if you're feeling fancy. It's always stocked and free to use. Still, people walk across the street to Starbucks every day. I'll never understand.

[Adventine]

In my previous non-Mustachian reincarnation, I was a daily Starbucks regular.

I did it to treat myself, to get out of the office, and away from a horrible commute, a job I disliked and coworkers I didn't really get along with. All these factors created an emotional void that wouldn't have been fulfilled by free coffee in the office, no matter how nice.

About a year of this nonsense, I found MMM and realized I was just undermining myself.

[bbqbonelesswing]

In my previous non-Mustachian reincarnation, I was a daily Starbucks regular.

I did it to treat myself, to get out of the office, and away from a horrible commute, a job I disliked and coworkers I didn't really get along with. All these factors created an emotional void that wouldn't have been fulfilled by free coffee in the office, no matter how nice.

About a year of this nonsense, I found MMM and realized I was just undermining myself.

Good for you! When I need to get out, I usually just take the free coffee and go for a walk with a mug.

[Adventine]

In my previous non-Mustachian reincarnation, I was a daily Starbucks regular.

I did it to treat myself, to get out of the office, and away from a horrible commute, a job I disliked and coworkers I didn't really get along with. All these factors created an emotional void that wouldn't have been fulfilled by free coffee in the office, no matter how nice.

About a year of this nonsense, I found MMM and realized I was just undermining myself.

Good for you! When I need to get out, I usually just take the free coffee and go for a walk with a mug.

Thanks :) Sometimes I look back on those times and shake my head. But if I hadn't been a former consumerist, I wouldn't have the frugal convictions that I have today.

[Kazyan]

I used to have a Starbucks habit as well, which was during my a term (~3mo) of my first co-op. I didn't have the excuse of hating my job/commute/coworkers; I just liked the coffee and pumpkin bread. This, too, was before I dicovered MMM, and during my early college days. During a different term with the same employer, I also made a habit of walking to a Jimmy John's to get lunch every day.

That sure was some wasted cash. But looking back, it's certainly not the worst of the bad habits I've developed in my life.

[Valley of Plenty]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

Food is definitely the line item with the most room for improvement for me. I've optimized just about every other expense, but I still don't really do much cooking. I need to change that this year.

[ixtap]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

Food is definitely the line item with the most room for improvement for me. I've optimized just about every other expense, but I still don't really do much cooking. I need to change that this year.

Come join us: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/january-2021-healthy-habits/

[Just Joe]

Had a holiday conversation with a coworker this week that was so similar to ones written about here I kind of wanted to look for a hidden camera. Huge grocery bills, two car payments, one income, huge utility bills and nothing left over. As each layer of the onion was revealed - quick math showed how their choices were multiples of x2 and x3 of what we spend in the same city. And we don't have any car payments.

If we can do it, they can do it. With one spouse at home, there ought to be a spare moment or two between them to optimize some of their choices.

[talltexan]

I'm part of a group at work who all log into our 401Ks the first day of the year and compare investment returns.

Sadly, I seem to be among the most risk-averse, with 20% of my account in bonds, so my 9.96% ROR for 2020 was not very competitive.

[Just Joe]

Another chapter to my story above: already two car payments and now a desire to own a Tesla (actively shopping). Coworker makes similar money to me but is sole income earner at their house. Even basic mental math shows this would be nearly impossible without parental gifts. Whew.

[talltexan]

I desire to own a tesla.

But my lifestyle at the moment would make it impossible to justify buying a second car if I hadn't already entered April 2020 having that second car. It's really getting more use for storage right now than it is for transportation.

[Just Joe]

I'd love to have a Tesla S. Can't justify it with our 10 minute commute. Maybe a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf someday. Don't need any more/newer cars right now.

[Just Joe]

I’m in law enforcement, we have lots of gun nuts.  I will never be one because I’m not willing to pay $500 plus for one.

That's where I'm at. I was in the military and would love to have a pistol like the one I carried on duty just as a toy to occasionally take out and target shoot with but I won't pay those prices.

I really don't NEED a gun of any type. The town where I live is very safe and I don't go other places that are unsafe. I a have several friends here that carry all the time. I don't see the point.

Cost, hassle, risk.

A little folding pocket knife to open boxes and and clean my fingernails is enough for me. ;) 

[NorthernMonkey]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

I'd hate the hassle and stress of going out to eat every day. Going out 3 times a day? I'd not have any time to do anything else other than going out to eat.

[Plina]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

I'd hate the hassle and stress of going out to eat every day. Going out 3 times a day? I'd not have any time to do anything else other than going out to eat.

I traveled for 6 months and after a couple of months I was so tired of making the decision were I would eat and what I should eat every day three times a day. I actually missed cooking and I don’t even like cooking.

[mm1970]

I have a coworker who is always complaining about money problems to me. I've been offering for years to help them with a budget but have never been taken up on it. This week, we were talking about how they only had a few hundred dollars to last until next paycheck, and I suggested they learn to cook in 2021. This person eats out for EVERY MEAL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The response I got was, "But eating out is so cheap. For $8 I can get a full meal..."

$8 is cheap?

Yesterday we had dinner at home which came out to $3 per person. Throughout the course of a year, eating 3 meals a day, $3/meal adds up to $3,285.00 vs  $8,760.00 for $8/meal. That's a difference of $5,475.00. Over the 4 years this coworker and I have been working together, that could have been a grand total of $21,900.00.

It's really amazing how much impact our eating habits have on our spending.

I'd hate the hassle and stress of going out to eat every day. Going out 3 times a day? I'd not have any time to do anything else other than going out to eat.

No kidding, blech.  We have been eating out once/ week because of COVID (getting takeout), which is 2 to 3x normal.  I don't like it!

I could improve our grocery bill, but honestly, with COVID, kids schooling at home, FT job...I just switched to Instacart, and that's going to increase my bill, and I just don't care.

$8670 a year though...for one person.  Our grocery bill last year for the 4 of us was $11,000 and change, then you have to add about $2k for eating out.