text: Eating Out with New Job
  This new job has been great in terms of increasing our monthly income, but I've been eating more lunches out. I do a lot of driving around town for the job and I haven't packed my lunches as often as I should. I find myself trying to find something convenient which usually means spending some cash for not so healthy food.
  I must resist the lure of fast food to improve my waist and wallet.
  Realizing How Work Affects Me Eating Out
  Grabbing whatever is quick and easy has been a weakness of mine. I'm going to cut down on my take out lunches to 3x week for the next 2 weeks and then drop down to eating out once or twice a week for the rest of the year. It helps if I remember that the money I'm saving is going towards a goal, so the money saved will go towards the joint savings account.
  I do enjoy eating lunch with a friend, but these take out lunches have just been me and they haven't really offered good food. I'd better better off making something at home a few times a week. I've written about some quick and easy recipes that can be used as brown bag lunches the next day like pizza, nachos, chili, and stew. Today's lunch will be a tasty honey ham and cheddar cheese sandwich and a fruit cup on the side.
  I grabbed the lunch food last week and that has made it much easier to make a sandwich in the morning. I'm also considering grabbing lunch at cheaper places, like Costco and saving some money. If you are going to eat out, be reasonable and go over your monthly budget.
  Dig to find local spots. Asking your co-workers, neighbors, and friends can pay off if you find a great place with wonderful food.
  Make a second meal on leftovers. I fill up on my bread or chips (depending on the place). I'm not acting greedy, but I do enjoy what they offer. If salad is included with a dinner, then eat the entire salad. It fills you up and it's generally good or you. Two meals for the price of one!
  Get a discount. See if they have lunch/dinner specials or use a site like Restaurant.com to get a deal on gift certificates. Sometimes you can get a $25 gift certificate for $10 or less!
  Mix Appetizers. Sometimes you can get a good deal by having two appetizers.
  Don't be frugal with your tip. That should go without saying, but if you got good service, please tip accordingly.
  How have you kept on your eating out budget? Any advice?
  Craig on October 5, 2009 at 12:35 pm
  Its tough but try to get something simple. A sandwich and a piece of fruit should be enough for lunch and healthier and not expensive. Or depending on where you live, maybe the salad buffet at Wholefoods is a good option. Healthier again and can put as much as you want.
  Green Panda on October 5, 2009 at 6:52 pm
  Thanks for mentioning the salad bar idea!
  kenyantykoon on October 6, 2009 at 2:03 am
  i also have an affinity for good food that i did not make in fancy places….i guess thats why i work so hard, to be able to afford this. but i think that budgeting for the splurges is important
  [email protected] on October 6, 2009 at 10:59 am
  This is something I really struggle with. Both from a financial and diet perspective.
  The only thing that's helped me is really good planning. Left to my own devices, I haven't got a chance against a good tuna melt!
  Green Panda on October 6, 2009 at 5:30 pm
  It's amazing how easy it is for me to get distracted. Having a lunch ready in the morning is the only way I can stick to the plan.
  Lee on October 8, 2009 at 10:44 am
  Just think how much more money you could have in your Savings each month if you religiously took a bag than ate out? 🙂
  Green Panda on October 8, 2009 at 2:42 pm
  I didn't eat out today for lunch which is great as we're finishing up the project. Driving around 3 cities all day had really tempted me since there are some nice places to eat. I wrote down some ones that looked interesting and I'll save them for when we need a place to try out.