Author Topic: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight  (Read 6092 times)

Cwadda

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Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« on: August 21, 2014, 04:57:52 AM »
60 consecutive days (excluding Sundays). Most of June, all of July, and all of August. 6 days/week.

Figure the average lunch costs:
Cold cut sandwich with cheese: $1.00 (less for PB&J)
Fruit: $0.60
Granola bar: $0.25
Yogurt: $0.50 on sale
Chips: $0.50
Can of soda to stay awake at work: 12 pk 3 for $12. $0.33/can minus $.05 for bottle deposit.
A refillable water bottle filled up at work: free
Reuse plastic spoons, plastic baggies 7 times each, and tupperware for storing food.
Also a $3 lunchbox from Salvation Army

~$3.25 per lunch

Totally Mustachian, I'd say!

Retired To Win

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2014, 06:16:58 AM »
Well done.

What about breakfast?

My "frugal breakfast of champions" is hot oatmeal cereal with fruit and milk.  Super filling.  Very nutritious.  And really, really cheap depending on what fruit you use. (I splurge on strawberries, but banana would do just fine too.)

Cwadda

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2014, 06:24:37 AM »
Well done.

What about breakfast?

My "frugal breakfast of champions" is hot oatmeal cereal with fruit and milk.  Super filling.  Very nutritious.  And really, really cheap depending on what fruit you use. (I splurge on strawberries, but banana would do just fine too.)

If I have to leave really early, I usually grab a frozen egg+cheese to heat up at work. I think they're like $4 for a 4-pack. $1.00 isn't bad.
If not, then I'll have cereal and fruit at home. Then I usually spread out my food over the day to function as breakfast + lunch. :D

Strawberries are awesome, I agree. I eat them mostly in season where they can run as low as $2.00 per carton.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2014, 06:26:15 AM by Cwadda »

forummm

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2014, 08:10:59 AM »
Nice. I think you can cut costs even more if you want to. I make my own granola and eat that every day for lunch. It's healthy, tastes good, very filling, super cheap, and super easy. I bring a gallon bag of it to work every time I run low. I never have to worry about what I'm going to eat today/tomorrow and don't spend any time during the workday procuring any food.

For breakfast I also eat some of this granola with milk (I microwave it a little because I prefer the milk warmer).

Breakfast: $0.25
-1/200 of a batch of granola (about 1/2 cup--it's very filling): $0.06
-1/16 of a gallon of milk: $0.19 ($3/gallon)

Lunch: $0.68
-1/28 of a bag of Costco California raisins: $0.14 ($4/ 2.5lb bag)
-1/45 of a bag of Costco almonds: $0.29 ($13/3 lb bag)
-1/50 of a batch of granola (about 2 cups): $0.25

Granola batch (50 servings): $12.16, or $0.24 per serving
This is incredibly filling and tastes really good. It's cheap and very good for you and lasts in an airtight container for at least a month.
-5 lbs old fashioned oats: $3.75 ($7.50 for 10 lbs at Costco)
-1/2 lb raw almonds: $2.16 ($13/3 lb bag)
-1 lb raisins: $1.60 ($4/ 2.5lb bag)
-1 lb diced dried apricots (or use Craisins): $2.66 ($8/ 3lb bag)
-1 pint vegetable oil: $1 ($3/3 pint bottle). Lately I've substituted some coconut oil for some of it. Gives a nice flavor.
-1/2 pound peanut butter: $1 ($2/1 lb)
-small amount of salt, cinnamon if desired (I use both)
-small amount of honey or brown sugar if desired (I use some honey sometimes)
Cut the almonds in half. Quarter the apricots. Mix everything together thoroughly in a big bowl (I don't have a bowl big enough, so I mix half of it at a time). Line the two large (3 qt) Pyrex baking dishes with aluminum foil. Pour half of the mix into each. Bake at 325 for about 20 minutes or until you like how it turns out. Once it cools, store it in any airtight container (I use gallon storage bags and transfer it to small plastic storage containers later for easier access).

G-dog

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2014, 07:55:46 PM »
Congratulations! I've been working on instilling this habit. I've lost track of time, but I am at least 4 weeks into the process.
I liked getting out of the office, but I can just take my food somewhere else to eat rather than sitting at my desk.
I am happier with my food options, eating better food, and saving money.  Now I just need to work in the losing weight angle and it will be perfect! I still eat out occasionally, usually to socialize with a friend, which is worth it to me.
« Last Edit: August 24, 2014, 08:51:51 PM by G-dog »

SingleMomDebt

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2014, 10:05:29 PM »
Great job Cwadda. I know its not always easy to do. Especially if you've got a busy schedule. I've gone 5 days in on bringing my own breakfast & lunch. The money saved is already noticeable.

Cressida

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2014, 08:22:02 PM »
Nice work!

I confess that I also take a can (Diet Coke, purchased in flats from Costco) to work every day. Oh well, better than using the vending machine, that's for sure.

Calvawt

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2014, 10:21:23 PM »
Very impressive.  I have never made it even close to that far.  Sometimes I make it a week without spending because of lunches brought in during meetings in combination with packing a lunch once or twice, but never more than that.  I really need to get better at that.  It is costing me at least $100 a month.

msdoolittle

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2014, 12:58:38 PM »
That is so awesome.

I am currently challenging myself to do something similar.

Eating toast and jam for breakfast and cold cut sandwiches for lunch.  So far, I'm a week into it, but it really isn't so bad.

My problem will be when I walk outside, the wind is blowing the right direction and I smell Burger King. :|

SingleMomDebt

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2014, 01:56:10 PM »
I am still going strong  breakfast and frappaccuinos made at home in the morning. Lunch brought to work. Only 1 meal bought post hike with group on Sunday. But thats okay. Was concious spending.

MgoSam

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2014, 03:21:33 PM »
Thanks for the positive inspiration, I have been slacking on breakfast and lunch for the past few weeks, need to be more intentional about cooking myself lunch.

Fi(re) on the Farm

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Re: Brought Breakfast and Lunch to work for 60 days straight
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2014, 04:22:53 AM »
Way to go Cwadda! I bring breakfast and lunch most days to work, steel cut oats for breakfast, leftovers or soup for lunch.  I travelled in June and August so I spent too much on dining out but now that all my vacations are over I'm back on the bandwagon.  I can't believe how much money you can save by just packing a lunch.