week one of the job: $10.16

Maybe it’s because of English Major’s recent frugal food series, maybe it’s just coincidence or convenience, maybe it’s some money principles finally working their way into my day-to-day desires: I don’t know. Whatever the case, I was able to complete week one of my new job without spending an extra dime on coffee, lunches, snacks or after-work stops. The only, I repeat: only, purchase I made all week was for a small pizza Thursday night, for dinner, and this I will allow for a few reasons:

1. I had been craving a deep-dish Lou Malnati’s pizza for at least the entire day.

2. I bought only the small size, for a total of $10.16.

3. I ate it for dinner Thursday, lunch today and gave some to my Mom this morning. Three-ish meals for $10 sounds plenty reasonable to me.

How’d I do it?
For one thing, I brought coffee in a travel mug with me every morning; this way, I didn’t want to stop for some, and, honestly, Coffeemate hazelnut creamer makes coffee deliciously tasty. Also, I packed my lunch each day. I only get a 1/2 hour lunch break, so I’ve been taking it in my office. I put my phone on do-not-disturb, put up an away message on the company AIM and check e-mail/blog surf while I eat from my brown bag. No gas wasted. No extra money spent. As far as what to put inside those lunches, I’ve been using yesterday’s dinner for today’s lunch all week: I got these adorable little tuperware containers at IKEA last week (3 for around $2 total) that are the perfect size for lunch portions. Monday I had honey balsamic chicken with veggies; Tuesday, barbeque chicken and broccoli; Wednesday, a beef sandwich; Thursday, chicken parmesan and a salad; Friday, leftover pizza. With the main courses I pack fruit and crackers with a granola bar.

Breakfasts: My breakfasts have largely been EM’s delish yogurt parfaits–you have to try them. One thing I’ve been doing is freezing chopped bananas ahead of time; the frozen texture really adds something.

Unexpected bonus: Fridays at the office, a manager brings in bagels and cream cheese from a local shop. YUMMO this morning! Plus, a friend had us over for dinner tonight: delicious and free!

Filed under food, the everyday |