How often do working rich people eat out vs packing a lunch

[Anonymous]

Rich people don't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who become rich people pack their lunches, do their own yard work, and drive cars until they fall apart. People who were born rich eat out, hire everything done, and drive expensive depreciating assets.

Keep telling yourself that.

My husband and I became rich after growing up without money through our own work (started and owned business). We don't always pack our lunch, we definitely do not do our own yard work, and we drive nice enough cars. We certainly don't sit around not spending the money we worked hard to earn. Our time is valuable. Most valuable thing we have. We'd be dumb if we acted like you think "rich" people acted.

Why do people need this narrative to be true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who become rich people pack their lunches, do their own yard work, and drive cars until they fall apart. People who were born rich eat out, hire everything done, and drive expensive depreciating assets.

Keep telling yourself that.

My husband and I became rich after growing up without money through our own work (started and owned business). We don't always pack our lunch, we definitely do not do our own yard work, and we drive nice enough cars. We certainly don't sit around not spending the money we worked hard to earn. Our time is valuable. Most valuable thing we have. We'd be dumb if we acted like you think "rich" people acted.

Why do people need this narrative to be true?

+1000

Why do people think you need to live below your means to be “rich”? How about get a high paying job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are rich because we pack lunch. Who in their right mind eats out every single day?

Seriously, has nothing to do with being rich LOL

This type of reaction is so dumb to me.

You're not going to "get rich" because you packed lunch every day. Yes with a lot of small decisions across your life, you can be frugal and save a lot of money and then do nice things or reitre early and feel richer than you were when you started. But that's not what anyone is talking about.

And yes, lots of people buy their lunch on work days. They are not out of their mind. They just buy lunch out daily. Not that crazy.

But it’s the mindset of not wasting money that parlays itself to having more money. Many rich people do not like to waste $$
Save $60/week here, save $100/week with one less dinner/drinks out. It’s the mindset

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are rich because we pack lunch. Who in their right mind eats out every single day?

Seriously, has nothing to do with being rich LOL

This type of reaction is so dumb to me.

You're not going to "get rich" because you packed lunch every day. Yes with a lot of small decisions across your life, you can be frugal and save a lot of money and then do nice things or reitre early and feel richer than you were when you started. But that's not what anyone is talking about.

And yes, lots of people buy their lunch on work days. They are not out of their mind. They just buy lunch out daily. Not that crazy.

But it’s the mindset of not wasting money that parlays itself to having more money. Many rich people do not like to waste $$
Save $60/week here, save $100/week with one less dinner/drinks out. It’s the mindset

I agree with this but I also think people just choose to spend money differently, and if you splurge a little on small stuff but keep in check for big stuff, it’ll be fine. Like eat out once a week but don’t buy the fanciest car. The savings from the car (just bc it’s a huge expense) will be way more than the weekly dinner expense. And maybe the dinner is a weekly date night that’s keeping your marriage strong, or dinner with friends that brings you joy.

[Anonymous]

I pack my own lunch. It is significantly healthier than eating processed foods from restaurants. We go to a restaurant maybe once or twice a year for dinner. (1%er)

[Anonymous]

You can spend your way to poor but you can’t save your way to rich. You have to earn more.

[Anonymous]

When I go into the office, I either go out to lunch with coworkers or run out to grab lunch and then eat it at my desk. I only bring breakfast to work (oatmeal and fruit).

[Anonymous]

I like to pack my lunch because it saves time in the workday. I rather go for a walk during my lunch break or exercise at the gym, or run an errand. So I do those things and eat my packed lunch while I’m working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pack my own lunch. It is significantly healthier than eating processed foods from restaurants. We go to a restaurant maybe once or twice a year for dinner. (1%er)

I get a salad. No processing. Not everyone is going out for steak and french fries on their lunch hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who become rich people pack their lunches, do their own yard work, and drive cars until they fall apart. People who were born rich eat out, hire everything done, and drive expensive depreciating assets.

Keep telling yourself that.

My husband and I became rich after growing up without money through our own work (started and owned business). We don't always pack our lunch, we definitely do not do our own yard work, and we drive nice enough cars. We certainly don't sit around not spending the money we worked hard to earn. Our time is valuable. Most valuable thing we have. We'd be dumb if we acted like you think "rich" people acted.

Why do people need this narrative to be true?

Maybe there are many ways of becoming rich? And many definitions of rich?

Some can get rich through starting businesses. Others can become rich through decades of savings. What works for one may not work for someone else.

[Anonymous]

I pack breakfast and lunch evey day I go in. It is healthier and easier then going somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I burning money by spending $20 on lunch 3+ days/week?

OP, you can see a wide variety of answers on here.

But the over arching theme is that there is a tradeoff of some kind that people make in their own minds based on what is important to them.

It is easier to go out and buy lunch than it is to pack lunch (read: my time is more valuable than my money).

I would never waste money on over priced food when I can pack my own lunch (read: I value my money more than my time).

You can't save your way to rich...or no one gets rich by not going to Starbucks (read: Focus on making dollars instead of saving pennies)

You have to figure out what your values are and then it will be easier to make a down stream tactical decision like should I go out to lunch, should I buy new clothes, how much should I spend on a car, etc.

For example, if you value health above all, you will probably pack your lunch (takes more time) and spend more money because the organic fruit and no antibiotic protein that you purchase will cost more, but it meets your criteria of healthy. You are trading your time and money for health.

Or, if you make a lot of money from your day job, you may choose to DoorDash lunch (gasp!) because you are making way more money being productive at your desk, than taking 10 mins to leave your office, 15 mins standing in line buying your lunch, and then 10 mins walking back to the office.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I burning money by spending $20 on lunch 3+ days/week?

OP, you can see a wide variety of answers on here.

But the over arching theme is that there is a tradeoff of some kind that people make in their own minds based on what is important to them.

It is easier to go out and buy lunch than it is to pack lunch (read: my time is more valuable than my money).

I would never waste money on over priced food when I can pack my own lunch (read: I value my money more than my time).

You can't save your way to rich...or no one gets rich by not going to Starbucks (read: Focus on making dollars instead of saving pennies)

You have to figure out what your values are and then it will be easier to make a down stream tactical decision like should I go out to lunch, should I buy new clothes, how much should I spend on a car, etc.

For example, if you value health above all, you will probably pack your lunch (takes more time) and spend more money because the organic fruit and no antibiotic protein that you purchase will cost more, but it meets your criteria of healthy. You are trading your time and money for health.

Or, if you make a lot of money from your day job, you may choose to DoorDash lunch (gasp!) because you are making way more money being productive at your desk, than taking 10 mins to leave your office, 15 mins standing in line buying your lunch, and then 10 mins walking back to the office.

Hope that helps.

Well said! There's so much judgment and negativity in this forum about how people choose to spend their money. The thing is, everyone has different circumstances and lifestyles and runs in different circles. What works for some people doesn't work for others. Some people obsessively hoard their wealth (apparently) and others spend more. Who really wins in the end? No one, because it's not a race. It's just about what works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rich people don't work.

I do. I always packed when I went in to the office. Now that I wfh, I eat leftover most days. You’re not only burning money, OP, but eating out that often will make you fat.