Ok, I realize that my last post involved some discussion of scrilla (or lack thereof), but it also ties into what I'm thinking about today.
Remember when I posted about how I am obsessed with making lists? I'm also slightly wacky when budgeting -- and that goes for several things besides just money. I budget my gas, calories, time, and DVR space, to name a few. A full discussion of how I budget these particular things would consume several blog posts. For now, we'll stick to the topic of my most common budget collision.
Take today, for example. I was faced with a dilemma that I struggle with more often than one may think. Free food. My wallet is empty, and so is my stomach, and Denny's was giving away free GrandSlams! But, while this meal choice would have been very helpful in my dolla dolla bills budget, it did *not* fit into my daily calorie budget. I never would have made it in my allotted one hour lunch break, anyway.
Tomorrow marks another free food milestone -- the first of 4 installments of "Free Breakfast February" at Jacksonville ChickFilAs. Tomorrow is free chicken biscuit day. At 420 calories a pop, I can make some adjustments to work this little buttered breakfast lover into my week. In fact, I'm thinking about stopping at my Fernandina CFA on my way to work, consuming my breakfast en route, then make another trip to the CFA by the store (I would save the second biscuit for lunch, natch). Yummo!
All of this discussion leads to a struggle I have faced several times in my adult life. It is So. Much. Cheaper. to eat junk! Let's think about the typical dollar menu. Double cheeseburger. Small fries. Junior Frosty. Chicken Nuggets. Want to plain baked potato or "healthy" salad? It'll cost you upwards of 6 or 7 bucks. And even if you're grocery shopping, what's more affordable? Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs, or Amy's Organic Bowls? What about the cost of produce? How come my co-workers are never bringing in fruit salads or fat free yogurts? Why, on holidays/birthdays/special occasions, am I faced with an onslaught of brownies, cookies, and cakes?
They say you can never be too rich or too thin, but it seems that more and more, you have to BE rich to BE thin. Or else eat absolutely nothing at all. I will continue to fight the good fight, and look for low calorie, affordable foods that are completely delicious. I pledge to not be tempted by a free Auntie Anne's pretzel coupon. I vow to remember: Free to my wallet does NOT equal free to my waistline!
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6 comments:
i think the lowest calorie and lowest priced item on the PLANET must be sugar-free jello mixes. At 89 cents for 8 servings you just supply the water and individual serving cups.
that being said i completely agree with you about needing to be rich to be thin.
it is a constant dilemma when i go to restaurants, sure i want the $20 entree of steamed fish and veggies but the $6 burger is so much easier on my wallet.
i guess we know the cheapest way of all... NOT eating.
But then I turn to a stone cold b-face and I would rather lose some dollars on buying $$$ healthy foods than lose my friends, precious as they are to me.
How do you budget gas? I don't think I ever drive the same amount from month to month.
The gas budget is more of a question: "is this event worth spending gas on?" Say someone wants me to meet them at a bar downtown, but that's 25 miles from my house. Do I have enough gas to drive there and home, and still have enough for my allocated work days?
I take full advantage of a rare situation where I receive free gas as often as twice a week. I do my best to not pay for gas at all. At 16 mpg, you have to be pretty damn great to be "gas worthy".
Here are a few examples. Gas worthy: american apparel outlet, sticky fingers (bbq restaurant), 50 cent drafts.
Not gas worthy: jags game vs anyone other than colts, dinner with pretty much anyone who is not a blog reader, and the gym (in a serious crunch).
aaaaaaahhhhh sticcckkyy ffinnnggerrs. must move back to North Carolina stat! ohhhh the cravings and it's only 10:30am.
okay, sorry. loved this post. totally know what you mean about needing $$ to lose the lbs.
i struggle with this at the grocery store, and try to find a decent balance. i also do insaaaaane amounts of comparison shopping. for example, THE CHEAPEST by a LONG shot, place to buy string cheese (and you would never think to look here) is at Target. Not Super Fresh Maximum Target - just plain old Target in the refrigerator case. Target brand light mozzarellas - lowest cals and best price in town!
When we go to the grocery, we go with a plan, and buy almost entirely fresh stuff - meat, produce, etc. - but just get what's on sale that week. The special at the fish counters and meat counters, and then I eat whatever fruit is on sale, even if i really WANT a different one. I treat myself to a few indulgences though - namely frozen blueberries. They are TEN DOLLARS a bag and go through a bag a week (3 pounds - I'm sick), but I love them and they are worth it.
I figure I used to spend that much on wine, right? :)
how long before you OTG list is all tracks from the Dierks album?
Emmy - WHY are we so distanced!? Deane has planted sooo many blueberry and blackberry bushes, and when they're in season, I give them away by the grocery-bag-ful! The garden does help a lot; I save money on lettuce, bell peppers, and radishes (which I hate, but they grow reeeeeally well). Thanks for the cheese tip!
Linds - I have. Not. Stopped. With dierks. He is all day every day, but I could never edit the album down to only 10 gems, so he will not take over the OTG.
"If you need a little help from me, baby there aint a button that I can't reach..."
Dyyyyyyying.
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