Brooklyn Label's Duck Bacon (not done justice with my iPhone)

Perhaps we should change the name of this project from “Eating Well on $50 a Week” to “How to Get Free Food While Pocketing an Extra $50 a Week.” While that may be pushing it a bit, I have to admit I have eaten incredibly well this week (far exceeding $50 worth of food) and have managed to stay under budget. I take zero credit for this so-called “achievement.”

As I mentioned before I took off on my trip to the Northeast last week, I spent three days at a summer share some of my friends have in the Poconos. I contributed some sides and some mixers, but for the most part, the food was taken care of. On the way back I made an unwise meal decision that cost me $9 (embarssing details after the jump) but followed it up with a delicious $11 salad topped with pulled pork. Monday I bought myself breakfast on the go, but after that and until I bought myself coffee this morning (free coffee at the Nerve office!), everything I have consumed since then (including delicious duck bacon from Brooklyn Label yesterday and street meat with my friend Zach who writes the Midtown Lunch blog today)  has been given to me, made for me or purchased for me. I say this not because I am complaining–I never turn down food, let alone free food–but because I wonder, is it cheating?

I can say, without a doubt, that there is no way I would have been able to stick to budget this week if it weren’t for other people so generously sharing food with me.

My measly contributions to my own meals this week, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: booze, brooklyn label, budget analysis, cheating, dean & deluca, duck bacon, english muffin, fast food, free food, frosties, frosty, iced coffee, street meat, traveling, wendy's