That sounds like the title of a terrible self-help book, doesn’t it? It’s really just a summary of my life lately. Adam I have switched up our budgeting days, now now my fiscal week begins on Mondays, instead of Wednesdays. I have to admit, I’m not off to the best start considering I started a new job today and because I failed to pack a lunch or get up in time to make my own coffee and make myself pretty before going into my first office job in three years, I stopped off for a $2 cup of Joe (hey, it’s better than a $4 latte!) and spent $10 on Chinese take out for lunch (and that was the lunch special price! but I have some leftover for tomorrow). Luckily, I learned today that we get free coffee at the office and there’s even a pretty sizable snack stash in the kitchen in case I get desperate.
Still, working outside of the home is going to present a new spending challenge, especially since the publication is a start up and I’m making about a fifth of what I was making at the job I just left. I’ll just have to be really strict about making and taking my lunch. I can’t believe that ‘back in the day’ I was spending $10 a day on lunch in Midtown, in addition to a bagel and coffee every morning for breakfast… plus dinners out. I think I was working in the hell that was the middle of the island of Manhattan just so I could eat out! I now spend in one week what I used to spend in one day on food.
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Total spent so far: $12
Days to go: 6
You think I can do it?
#1 by Nick at November 4th, 2009
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I just read your story on CNN…this may have been suggested before, but have you looked into coupons? I know there are sites online that have allowed others to cut out large amounts from their usual grocery costs. It might be worth a look. Otherwise, good luck: I’m a senior in college and soon will be looking for a job, so this could be very useful in a few months.
#2 by Hamtaro at November 4th, 2009
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ZOMFG rich white people trying to live like the rest of us!
Think of how many parts for the fixed gear or how many fedoras you can buy with the savings!!!
Ever have rice and ketchup five nights a week?
or have to decide on missing meals so others may eat?
GREAT CNN ARTICLE!
#3 by emily at November 4th, 2009
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Can someone please provide the link to this CNN article? I don’t quite know what you’re talking about. Thanks.
#4 by adam at November 4th, 2009
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I think it’s a reprint of the Time Cheapskate blog article. You know, the one with the haters.
@Hamtaro: No. Have you? Do you want to tell us about it, or display your mastery of acronyms?
#5 by erin at November 10th, 2009
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eggs, beans, ethnic meals can keep things from being boring but you have to get the seasonings which rack up the grocery bill, rice, kicking up soups/pastas with a slice of frozen bacon… Eating on a budget sucks, especially when it’s an extreme one and you have a recent memory of splurge NYC meals. Although I do find myself really missing street carts. $5 for a huge container of rice, lentils, falafel, onions/eggplant, salad, fries and a coke…amazing. Good luck!
#6 by Aneta at November 18th, 2009
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I guess I just don’t get how people can be negative about this blog. It is always mentioned how these people (the haters) know all about eating on $1 a day and all of that and we don’t know real poverty. Well, there are plenty of people in the US that make enough to live on and love food and just want to be responsible with their spending. Why is all the hate out there for that? I just don’t understand. I love this blog.
#7 by denise craciun at March 25th, 2010
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also 50/week pls