…So I was thinking and reflecting on what to post today. Another post about being in the present, something to do with the coaching journey, or some new landmark in my world of career paths? But then I had something happen to me that was very telling and quite interesting! I went to the grocery store!!…
…You may say; “well, Liz that is not really exciting at all.” But let me share with you how it so very much was. I went to the grocery store and got various items that added up to less than $70 ($67.29 to be exact). Items I purchased included rolled oats, a new organic toffee pecan nut cereal, 1% yogurt, tomatoes, 
broccoli, Brussel sprouts, tilapia, chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, peanut butter, chocolate milk, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, avocados, scallions, onion, chili pepper, grape tomatoes, whole grain wheat thins, fat-free milk, and orange juice. And like I just said all for under 70 bucks! These items provided me with meals (as I used spices and herbs from my already stocked cabinets) for breakfast for every day of the week, lunch for every day of the week for Drew and I, dinner for three nights of home cooked meals, and snack in between such as home-made guacamole dip, oatmeal with cottage cheese, and yogurt and granola. I am eating from home each day this week and Drew is as well. I am making dinner for us three nights this week; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. And I spent just under $70. Now this leads me to a point that I want to share with you all. It is a myth that eating healthy is more expensive. It is a totally untrue and false myth. I bought all of those items for a relatively inexpensive price and with some staple items I keep at home or already had am able to make food for the week.
…I took some time to look up a days worth of eating out on the run. I wanted to add up a projected days worth of eating out for you to see which costs more. So to start with (and mind you I am taking things that I think the average American eats when they are eating on the run, not things that I would necessarily pick for myself to eat) breakfast: 
a breakfast sandwich from Dunkin Donuts with scrambled egg, cheese, and bacon is $2.89. Add to that a medium size cup of Iced Coffee (since it is summer and I see people carrying these things all around town, and oh yes- no one drinks a small anymore!) is $1.99. Throw in a hash brown on the side for $1.29. That brings your total for breakfast to $6.17. Ok, so you got to work and the coffee buzz wore off and since it is not yet time for lunch you have to get a caffeine fix. How about another cup of small coffee around 10 am with a yogurt parfait from Einstein Bagels ($1.47 and $3.49 respectively) bringing your snack to $4.96. Now lunchtime comes and you are trying to “stick to your diet.” So you opt for a 6 inch veggie sandwich from Subway, but you add apples and water to “make it a meal.” Your sandwich run you $3.50 and to make it a meal add another $2.29 ringing you in at $5.79. I will not even add in the afternoon soda (that I see a lot of office folk reach for as an energy boost around 3 pm) because maybe your office was giving out drinks one day and you snagged one and saved it for later. But now you are on your way home and have to get to the kid’s soccer game so afterwards instead of making dinner at home you stop by Pizza Noble. Now I will not add in the family’s eating here as well, but just let’s say you want a personal pizza with one topping, a soda, and a salad you can add your dinner in at $6.99. So for the days grand total you have spent $23.91. 
In one day! Mind you eating like this, on the run, and items around the workplace could potentially add up to $120 for the week. That is just for one person. I did not add in desserts, trips to the vending machine, and other items. And remember at dinner I just added in you, not the whole family. Of course you may bring a snack here or there. Or take a drink from the water fountain now and then to substitute that soda. And maybe you are not quite as drastic with spending on each meal. But think back to the start of this math equation. I bought $67 worth of groceries to make breakfast for myself, lunch for Drew and I, and dinner for Drew and I for 3 nights (plus our guacamole dip as a snack in between)…
So I would argue that being prepared adds up. 
Bringing a water bottle to work and leaving it at your desk each day to fill it up with water throughout the day could be an easy, quick, and cheap fix. Making lunches every day and buying fruit at your local market is an easy way to have one healthy meal and snacks throughout the day. Even trying to cut down on 1 or 2 meals out could save lots of cash. I don’t know. This works for me. This saves for me. I know it seems foreign to think about at first. Scary and overwhelming to plan. But one step at a time could save you money and have you eating healthier in the long-term…
What does your eating looking like on the day-to-day? How much do you spend per day, per week, per month on eating out? What quick and easy food prep tips would you be willing to try? OR if you have tried one, what worked for you when you were just starting out? How has “being prepared added up” for you?
I am overprepared when it comes to meal planning! I spend about $40 each week on groceries for myself (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks included) and I try to loosely plan what those meals will look like. Ideally, I’ll still have some choice at the end of the day (ie. I buy chicken, but don’t decide what I’m going to do with that chicken until that night), but this way I stay healthy and save a TON of money!