I refuse to spend money eating out at work

I feel attacked, I brought the same thing for lunch today plus 2 fried eggs over easy. Although mine say seasoning and the meat balls were coated in some Thai chili sauce

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Why do Americans think Brits eat like this? We have literally merged Indian food into our own. Fish and chips comes with curry sauce almost as mandatory. There are likely more Indian/nepalese restaurants than fish and chip shops at this point. The modern British diet is very much a now colonial one.

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MarcusofMenace@reddit

They're not very aware of the world outside of their country. It's why they rinse and repeat almost the exact same phrase word for word when they tell the joke

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Main_Cauliflower5479@reddit

3 or 400 years later. Nice to see you guys finally caught up.

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beegtuna@reddit

Most of the time it’s not even vinegar

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shuknjive@reddit

At least it's malt vinegar.

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Doctor_Saved@reddit

Great Britian had one of the largest empire ever and they couldn't figure out spices.

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hohuho@reddit

ransacked the globe for spices and refuse to use them

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SnausageFest@reddit

Or veggies. Put some broccoli in that mfer.

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2Maverick@reddit

Those meatballs are already salty af though.

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hohuho@reddit

they make sodium-free, leaf-based seasonings too

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Honest-Reflection667@reddit

Pretty sure those meatballs come seasoned, white rice aint too bad

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Ledzep0521@reddit

Throw some teriyaki sauce in there and you will really have something

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livsjollyranchers@reddit

I would've said red sauce. It's already meatballs, and white rice can just function as pasta.

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NeitherExamination44@reddit

gif

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livsjollyranchers@reddit

I enjoy rice, tuna, olive oil and red sauce. My shitty food, for sure.

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Ledzep0521@reddit

You going the tuna canned in oil? Or canned in water and draining it off?

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False_Pear1860@reddit

I'd do a combo of mayo, Sriracha, honey, and garlic

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kmvalencia@reddit

That’s what I was thinking… teriyaki and broccoli

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Ledzep0521@reddit

Woah woah woah leave your fart trees out of this equation 😂

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

Good idea actually

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Ledzep0521@reddit

I have a very on the go job (EMS) and I'm no stranger to frozen meatballs and rice ! Haha

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SoManyMinutes@reddit

Deciding what to order for lunch is my favorite part of the work day.

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MPipoly@reddit

I eat overnight oats and a Greek yogurt for lunch every day. I haven't didn't the math, but it almost certainly costs less than $1, and I've fixed my cholesterol and my fatty liver. Bland, but it's super effective!

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Fluffy_History@reddit

Do they make you pay for ketchup packets?

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spicywingydingy@reddit

Ketchup is a child’s condiment (per my husband).

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BlommeHolm@reddit

Your husband shouldn't eat children.

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Hi2YourWifeAndMyKids@reddit

But, if you're going to, kethcup works.

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spicywingydingy@reddit

You try telling him that.

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zouss@reddit

Michelle is that you?

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Hi2YourWifeAndMyKids@reddit

Your husband is correct.

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TechnicalBenefit4609@reddit

There is nothing wrong with treating yourself sometimes. That treat could even be some black pepper to wake your tastebuds up a little. If you are very daring, add some spice… you naughty boy

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PuzzleheadedDraw6575@reddit

I save so much $ not eating out when Im working. Its tastier and healthier too.

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AverageInfamous7050@reddit

Bingo. Win Win.

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

I wouldn’t say mines today is tastier but definitely for that $, I’m here to earn money not to spend them

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AverageInfamous7050@reddit

Power to the fellow brownbaggers. I've always brought my lunch.

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yamirenamon@reddit

I meal prep every Sunday for a week’s worth of leftovers for my work lunches. Usually it’s soup and I can eat the same recipe for weeks before I feel the need to change things up.

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AverageInfamous7050@reddit

Nice. Very similar here.

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ZeldaZealot@reddit

I'm lucky enough to work at an office ten minutes from my house, so I just go home for a sandwich and say hi to my wife and critters. I only bring frozen meals if I don't have time for that.

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joshg8@reddit

Lived this life until they moved our offices. It is fantastic especially if you have pets.

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little_lexodus@reddit

Hear, hear

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Large-Cranberry-1207@reddit

I go to work to make, not spend money.

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s30zg@reddit

You could at least put a little seasoning on it tho right?

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

Ran out of siracha :(

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s30zg@reddit

Greatinds think alike! A bit of underwood ranch siracha sauce, some Banchan sauce and a bit of butter and your set. Would add some microwave easy veg like broccoli but not necessary.

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ThanksContent28@reddit

If you can be arsed, cumin seeds added to the rice before boiling, can really add a lot of flavour. Also making your rice in chicken stock, instead of plain water.

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phantomsteel@reddit

If you're using stock you may as well toast the grains and throw some tomato bullion in there too. Basic Mexican rice

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dj92wa@reddit

As if the meatballs aren’t going to be packed with flavor?

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Periolodical@reddit

Are you me? That looks like exactly like what I ate yesterday in nearly an identical container. Lol

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Lexail@reddit

This seems fine. Leftovers for lunch always look... different.

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StrosDynasty@reddit

Just a little hot sauce and I'd eat that

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SignificanceShort418@reddit

Oh hey! This plus bottled teriyaki sauce is what I had for dinner last night!

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spidermaniscool24@reddit

Idk how my coworkers eat out almost every day because I KNOW they not getting paid that much.

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Old_Badger311@reddit

I lived five minutes from home the decades I worked. I just drove home and grabbed something and drove back. I’d make a lunch if weather was bad and I didn’t feel like the long walk to the parking lot to and from my building. I never ate out unless it was a coworker luncheon or a meeting where lunch was served. Over 30 years I’m sure i saved many thousands of dollars.

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Polymorphic-X@reddit

Throw tzatziki sauce and some sliced veggies or a kabob style garlic sauce on there and you'll love it. Barely adds to costs at all

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Mehdals_@reddit

Lunch preppers unite! ... but still, throw some cheese in there or some seasoning, A dab of jelly for those meatballs. Can meal prep and still have it fulfilling to eat.

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achingforscorpio@reddit

...jelly?

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Mehdals_@reddit

Grape jelly meatballs are a classic, three-ingredient party appetizer made by simmering frozen meatballs in a mixture of grape jelly and chili sauce or barbecue sauce.

its pretty tasty actually.

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

I can’t imagine grape jelly lol but I do like cranberry ones with meat

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Mehdals_@reddit

Lol I just said grape out of ease of finding anything to add flavor to your meal :P cranberry is definitely a step up :)

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spicybright@reddit

It sounds very mid-west US but also sounds really good

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chardee-macdennis-1@reddit

I live in the midwest and have never seen anyone put jelly or jam on a meatball. Saucy meatballs are all I have ever seen lol

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Mehdals_@reddit

huh yeah I figured it was an older recipe but it was actually created in the 1960s from an author duo on the East Coast that published it in a book called "Elegant but Easy: A Cookbook for Hostesses by Marian Burros and Lois Levine"

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spicybright@reddit

oh nice research, it's always interesting to see where things come from.

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peacenchemicals@reddit

jelly or like cranberry sauce absolutely bangs with meatballs and gravy

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hinesenberg@reddit

Thought this was the view looking down into a blender at first and I was afraid

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neep_pie@reddit

Blend it up, deep fry, no problem

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

I’m sorry

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C00K13_1985@reddit

Then why not make a packed lunch?

If you were not working you would have a sandwich or leftovers or something at home right?

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

VP came in today to shake hands, I spent too much time picking my outfits this morning so no time to make myself a Sammie

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AccomplishedLine9351@reddit

If you are happy with this meal that's fine. Enjoy.

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

Not really lol but thankyou! Tmr I’ll make real food

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chardee-macdennis-1@reddit

I literally eat a lunch meat sandwich every day for lunch at work. 5 days a week, going on 5 years now. Probably costs me like 2-3 dollars a day. People who are demanding seasoning on a meal that you were able to eat in like 3 minutes. Also probably can't drink plain water and need tons of additives to it.

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

Sometimes I’m a minimalist.

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stratusnimbo@reddit

This looks bomb. Add some red bell pepper or broccoli or kimchi and you’re golden

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cwcam86@reddit

Yeah in the last couple years I've become the same way. Getting food at lunch got way too expensive. I bring my lunch like 95% of the time now.

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peacenchemicals@reddit

i remember when i used to think $10 for lunch was pricey. never cared for breakfast and now i refuse to spend $15-$20 on lunch.

i just eat dinner when i get home lol

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Budget-Chair8242@reddit

good for you. but man, at least treat yourself a little with condiments.

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WerewolvesAreReal@reddit

really concerned by everyone who heartily approves in the comments... you all live like this? I always brought lunch too, but for the price of those ikea meatballs you could instead make decent meals that look less sad :/

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Sb0y@reddit

That looks like 2 out of my six meals I planned on Sunday.

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Real_Statistician_50@reddit

Dave Ramsey would be proud

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Quirky-Pie9661@reddit

You have the base of firecracker meatballs. Add green onion and ginger, sriracha mayo and like green beans or carrots

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prionbinch@reddit

first long-term job I ever worked i would buy my lunch every day. i was making $17.50/hr 4 days a week and could not afford that shit but also couldn’t be bothered to pack myself a lunch. it’s genuinely wild how much money you save when you actually pack lunch

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Ohshithereiamagain@reddit

I’m with you. I’m not paying $7 for a smoothie. I’m going to drink water from the water filter at work.

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FamiliarRadio9275@reddit

Today’s episode of “shitty food porn”, we lack seasoning!

gif

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kindagaybean@reddit

Yum eat this all the time

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IFeedSquirrelsAMA@reddit

Imagine all the delicious food you'll never eat and on your deathbed thinking "at least I increased shareholder value"

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leonatoi@reddit (OP)

Usually when I work at home I eat some gourmet stuff for lunch. Unfortunately there’s no leftovers last night so one must get creative from the freezer

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zombawombacomba@reddit

Given the quality of this I doubt it very much.

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IFeedSquirrelsAMA@reddit

Agreed.

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dr_acula___@reddit

He isn’t bringing his own lunch to “increase shareholder value” he’s doing it to not waste money going out for lunch every day.

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IFeedSquirrelsAMA@reddit

He literally said "to save time to increase shareholder value. Comprehension is hard, I know.

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cwcam86@reddit

Why do you think they'll never eat delicious food?

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IFeedSquirrelsAMA@reddit

Are you dense? Do you understand context?

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Ceepeenc@reddit

Right?! Lol. Had me in the 1st half though. I read that last sentence and was like “🙄”

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LeekGlittering5350@reddit

this looks like depression meal aesthetics but financially responsible

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vickimarie0390@reddit

I thought this was on that sub at first

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vickimarie0390@reddit

Dog food it is 🤷🏽‍♀️

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IanHardman@reddit

cool.

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TheTimeBoi@reddit

no gravy or anything???

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geezeslice333@reddit

Ok. That doesn't mean you have to eat that though.

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k_a_n_g_u_r_u@reddit

increasing shareholders values? bro feed yourself first, i promise your corporate overlords know you are expendable, what makes you think you have to eat this or the food court? there are more than two options

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neep_pie@reddit

There’s a happy medium somewhere between not eating out and eating old ones meatballs with plain white rice

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spicybright@reddit

I see people thinking cooking at home has to be "raw-dogging" your food like this. I see it especially with fitness people, like it's a badge of honor to suffer through unseasoned overcooked chicken breast.

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WrestleBox@reddit

Right. You can eat cheap without eating bland and lazy. This looks more like a depression meal.

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angel-girl-A@reddit

That's great but please don't heat food in plastic

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FanndisTS@reddit

Have you considered a vegetable?

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Cosmic-mind@reddit

Packed lunch has always been my go-to, especially in my new office job downtown where one latte cost me $9 and someone else is selling single slices of pizza for $5. Healthier for my body and my wallet to bring lunch

You deserve some seasoning or cheese on that though. Looks dry as hell

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livsjollyranchers@reddit

Depends on what a 'slice' is. Often when sold as singles, the slices are giant.

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robertbreadford@reddit

Balls and rice kinda guy, huh?

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Hootyh00@reddit

Just plain rice?

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Palanki96@reddit

Do you also refuse to cook? How do you live like that

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BillNyeForPrez@reddit

Even better is when work buys YOU lunch. I think I’ve saved over $10,000 in the last 4 years with company lunches and dinners lmao

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robaroo@reddit

proud of you brohamski

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auti117@reddit

Do you not spend money for food at home either? 😭 So bland looking. No sauce, no spices or seasonings, and not a frigging vegetable in sight.

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MoneyBaggSosa@reddit

My job pays for my lunch 😎

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AverageInfamous7050@reddit

Request that they add it to your wages, instead. Then bring non ultra-processed food from home.

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jromperdinck@reddit

gif

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Exotic_Reporter_3309@reddit

What money you don’t spend on food, you will make up in laxatives and eventually toilet paper. Maybe even plumbing costs.

Eat some veggies.

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iameveryoneelse@reddit

Needs teriyaki or hoisin and soy sauce, and it needs green onions and daikon or bok choy and you’ve got a meal that takes 5 minutes and is better than a restaurant.

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Hyprocritopotamus@reddit

https://theonion.com/man-brings-lunch-from-home-to-cut-down-on-small-joys-1819577433/

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average_sized_rock@reddit

While I agree with you, buying good food for lunch is kinda like treating yourself. Sometimes you need to feed the corporate overlords to appreciate things. The issue comes when you keep doing it and become their server.

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random_rascal@reddit

But why?

The only thing I enjoyed when I worked in an office was leaving it. Hence going out for a nice sit down lunch was a necessity!!

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cwcam86@reddit

Thats way too expensive.

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cigarandcreamsoda@reddit

Man Brings Lunch From Home To Cut Down On Small Joys

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figgypudding531@reddit

You know you can also just cook food.

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Croaker-BC@reddit

Add some fiber and vitamins (a.k.a. veggies). You'll thank for that advice in few years.

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Juliuscesear1990@reddit

You know there is a middle ground between eating out and eating that right? You can make yourself lunch that doesn't look like it was prepared in 2 minutes.

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Embarrassed-Cause250@reddit

Smart! Things are way too expensive these days.

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Sad_Maximum6583@reddit

I would devour this tbh. You can use a cheap gravy packet or some teriyaki sauce, hell yeah. Raw like this will have your mouth drier than the Sahara desert.

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XXXG-22W22@reddit

I appreciate your frugality 👍

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snarkaluff@reddit

Hard agree, work lunch is either dinner leftovers or a sandwich/salad I make at home. If I’m gonna be spending money on food outside of my weekly grocery budget I am going to enjoy it to the fullest extent; at home while I’m comfortable, high and watching something good.

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