eating out adds up

Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by dara in penny pinchin'

Last week I spent time in a training class away from my regular office. Since I was out of the office, and my usual routine, I ate breakfast and lunch out for 3 days straight. And while it didn’t seem like I was spending that much money, when I glanced at my bank account on Friday…my eyes popped out of my head.

In just 3 days, I managed to spend close to $40 on 3 meals! I wasn’t buying any and everything I wanted either, I just bought coffee and sometimes something to eat for breakfast and a regular lunch. I’ll admit lunch time was the killer, with an average of $8 per lunch…who wants to spend that everyday?!

I grimace at the thought of people who mindlessly spend these large amounts on eating out for at least two meals a day. Of course, if eating out is your thing and it’s built into your budget, go for it. But most people (myself included) don’t take the time to add up what it’s actually costing you to eat those meals out. Buying groceries and packing at least one of those meals will save you a tremendous amount of money. Then spend the rest of your lunch break taking a brisk walk or running errands.