If you make $100,000 or more, you might wonder why you could still be living paycheck to paycheck. The truth is that dining, entertainment, and travel expenses continue to be a huge part of creating a personal spending plan for your family. A good CEO (that’s you) knows that listening to their Private CFO® (that’s me) can help make a major dent on the bottom line. You probably aren’t going to stop eating out a few days a week for lunch, so one idea is to simply look for the places around where you work to find lunch for $5 or less. Most casual fare chain restaurants are designed to get you to $10, where a local joint can still get you to $5 or less.
- Victory Sandwich Bar (www.vicsandwich.com) – Where can you get any sandwich for $4? Go to the Victory Sandwich Bar. I might recommend the Mulligan (pimento cheese and ham) or consider the Weed Eater (hummus, mozzarella, avocado). Truly tasty stuff that won’t break the bank!
- Empire State Pizza (http://www.empire-state-pizza.com/) – If you are out in the Lawrenceville vicinity, Empire State Pizza has cool deals almost every day of the week. However, if it’s carb-loading day I would recommend that you choose Tuesday, which is $1/slice for cheese pizza (dine in only). If you stick to water which is a good lunchtime recommendation, you can get away here for $2 or $3 and be filled up for the rest of the day.
- Thumbs Up Diner (www.thumbsupdiner.com)– With five locations around metro Atlanta, odds are there is a diner right around the corner from you. If you skipped your morning meal, perhaps breakfast for lunch could be a good option. You might try an Egg Biscuit and a cup of coffee for about $3.50 or go for a couple of pancakes, a side, and a glass of orange juice for about $5.
- Fat Matt’s Rib Shack– (www.fatmattsribshack.com) I mentioned the whole chopped pork sandwich and some chips last week, but how about a ¼ of a bird? At this Atlanta staple, get in your protein during lunch and if you wish to splurge you can add one of their numerous tasty sides to your bird.
- Eats (www.eatsonponce.net)– For those vegetarians out there, there is still a phenomenal deal at Eats with the three veggie plate for only $4.75. It’s served with their delicious cornbread and it won’t break your budget.
To start saving money today, go to www.oxygenfinancial.net and tell us where you eat lunch for under $5!
Written by:
Ted Jenkin
Request a FREE consultation: www.oxygenfinancial.net
Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®, is co-CEO of oXYGen Financial and is a top ranked personal finance blogger (www.yoursmartmoneymoves.com). He is a regular contributor to Investment News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS.
