2013 Spending Challenge - Work Lunches/Snacks

[writersblock42]

What worked for my dh and I was to set up an allowance for each of us. Each week, we each get $25 and we can spend it on whatever we want but clothing and any food purchases outside of grocery shopping or going out to eat as a family including coffee and soda have to come out of that allowance. My account is quite large now and my dh has no money in his account. I don't spend any money on work lunches because I cannot leave to go eat lunch and I don't buy from the vending machines except for maybe a couple of times a month if that. I usually eat whatever left overs we have from dinner and I also have an emergency storage of food in my desk drawer in case I forgot something. The food includes soup, granola bars, and nuts. I have a water bottle that I fill up everyday.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have to travel a lot for work and I got tired of restaurant food long ago. Bringing my own lunches when I am in town is more of a quality issue rather than a cost issue... but yes, it saves a lot of money.

I made the leap to bringing my own food to the extent possible a couple of years ago. This year I am adding to that by eliminating plastics to the extent i can and using only glass, stainless steel and ceramic or porcelain containers and serveware. It is a pain, especially if traveling is involved... and i've not been 100% successful there - but it's getting easier.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I am on the Eat at Home (dinner) thread. Just found this one and I am jumping on board! I pack lunches everyday too. I usually have leftovers with access to both a refrigerator and a microwave at work.

Here is where the problem comes in for me...my co-workers and I "brown bag" it together and we have a place where we all eat together. HOWEVER, some of said co-workers frequently do NOT bring lunch and want ME (the department secretary) to send an email out gathering a group to go out to lunch. I am too easily persuaded to abandon my packed lunch in favor of something fresh and hot. And once I do it once...it just tastes SO GOOD that I get on a downward spiral and then start going through a drive-thru and bringing it to the table at work...even when other co-workers are being "good" and eating their packed lunches. BAD!

So, I am going to use THIS thread as my accountability. If I have to announce how many times I did not eat my packed lunch, I am way more likely to actually eat it and just say no to going out. I plan to allow myself one lunch out every two weeks...