I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

[pyotr]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

I think the Ramen Noodles for a week isn't really much of a punishment for this type of behavior. (some would call it a reward). I'd suggest you shave yourself bald to remember this. First start with a pair of scissors, then use a razor. Finish it all off with some shaving gel and a blade razor. Smooth as a baby's bottom. If you don't like it, you can buy a wig. I like those rainbow-colored ones you see in SuperBowl crowds.

[cschin4]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Look for a local park where you could sit and have your lunch. If you get tired of sandwhiches, try yogurt, or leftover meals from home. If you have microwave, nuke it and head out. Or, get TV dinners, nuke it first thing in the morning so then it will only take a min. to heat it for lunch. On rainy days, just go sit in your car and listen to the radio, you don't have to go anywhere.
Or, stay at the office and eat. If everyone else is going out, it will give you some quiet time.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Work lunch: Dh gets annoyed a bit too, but he doesn't have to work as long, he has rearanged his schedule to leave half hour earlier instead of needing to work a 9 hour day, sometimes he is only at the office for 8 hours (working lunch)

Somedays he gets paid overtime to wrok thru lunch. A break is nice, but I don't get one......Not even a 5 minute break....(I am a SAHM)

Not sayi8ng you don't need one, just saying you mght want to save it up till the end of your 8 hour day if you can.

[Ima saver]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

My husband keeps a micro wave at each job, so he takes leftovers. When he is working outside I bought him a neat thing he loves. It looks like a large old fashioned lunch box, with an aluminum tray that comes out. He puts his leftovers in it and he can plug it in to the cigarette lighter. In about 20 minutes, he has a hot lunch. His workers all go out for lunch, they spend about $7-10 a day with tip.

[flash]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Was just reading in one of the financial mags, the average person (not exec!) spends $10 a DAY on work lunches. That's over $220 a month!

I used to keep Fantastic soups (add hot water, set for 3 minutes, black bean soup, or chili...), protein bars, cheese/crackers, hot cocoa, etc. in the office, even in my briefcase. Try to always have a protein or meal bar in my purse, just in case I am STARVING and trying not to eat out.

Some of the convenience/gas stations, like Royal Farms, Wawa, 7-11, etc., have very good sandwiches very reasonably priced.

Go for a walk!

[Ima saver]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Those lance crackers in the package saved me many a time. I just took a plain old cheese sandwich with me everyday. I would agree with the $10 average for lunch! However, i can go to Wendy's and eat chicken nuggets and water for $1

[rob62521]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Beating yourself up over a small amount...you learned your lesson.

Now, for those work lunches...go to the store and really look around. Is there something else you can take for lunches to beat the boring sandwiches? I only have 30 minutes for lunch and I often take leftovers because we have a microwave, but if you don't have one, invest in a wide mouth thermos and take soups, canned pasta. They cost a little bit, but better than $6.50.

My husband gets an hour for lunch each day and needs to get out. After he eats, he power walks. So he not only leaves the building, but also does something healthy.

[lrjohnson]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

I would consider other factors besides the pure dollar amount. If I spend $6.50 for a meal that's a treat, that I taste instead of just filling mys tomach, that's differnt than a $6.50 a day down the drain. Also, if I spend $6.50 on a cruddy meal, that's a waste, but if I spend $6.50 for a meal that rocks my world, I'm good.

This is how I might approcah it. I pack lunch almost every day, and i'm fine eating at my desk. But if I really wanted that mental break time, I'd look for nicer places to eat my packed lunch. I know the waterfront is a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk. Most areas have at least a spot where you can eat in your car and have a nice view; you don't need a picnic bench.

So, now that most days are really cheap, I'd work in that $6.50 lunch, at a lunch place I loved. Depending on how tight I wanted to be, that may be once a week, twice a month, maybe even just once a month. Id' figure out a place where my $6.50 got me a meal I really liked. In my area, one retsaurant has a 16 ounce soup for 4.19; I split that with a friend I'm chubby and working on it, she's lean), and with tax and tip we've had a fine meal for less than $3 each.

My experience is that the less often I spend that $6.50, the more I enjoy it. It'd be a real treat. I also know that when I'm eating my packed lunches, sometimes it's nice to think, in two friday's I'm going to XXXX. Most days I like my little lunches, but yeah, knowing the treats ahead is nice.

[Ima saver]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

I treat myself to a blimpie turkey sandwich a few times a year. I usually cut it in half and have enough for 2 lunches for $2 each!!

[Broken Arrow]

Re: I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

Oh no, Ima! You're slipping on your budget!