Comments on: Forget Lattes – The Cheeseburger Factor is Biggest Threat to Wealth http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/ Tips for living frugal while still having a life Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:11:29 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Cheryl Pope http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-6050 Cheryl Pope Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:23:15 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-6050 I gaved up fast food a long time ago and I see the increase in my bank account. My brother gave up cigarettes and was able to purchase a new car. Many of us have vices that, left alone, we could be millionaires. I gaved up fast food a long time ago and I see the increase in my bank account. My brother gave up cigarettes and was able to purchase a new car. Many of us have vices that, left alone, we could be millionaires.

]]> By: New Husband http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1199 New Husband Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:34:49 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1199 My wife and I have banned fast food from our car, home, mouths, and wallets. Our reason: mainly the service. I got tired of eating unhealthy expensive food while I was still fuming at the idiot who couldn't understand what "only catchup" meant. My wife and I have banned fast food from our car, home, mouths, and wallets. Our reason: mainly the service. I got tired of eating unhealthy expensive food while I was still fuming at the idiot who couldn’t understand what “only catchup” meant.

]]> By: Friday Link Love - Didn’t Get Fooled Edition | One Caveman's Financial Journey http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1136 Friday Link Love - Didn’t Get Fooled Edition | One Caveman's Financial Journey Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:53:06 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1136 [...] Frugal Dad suggested that, when it comes to our pocketbooks, we ignore the lattes and put down the cheeseburger instead. [...]

[...] Frugal Dad suggested that, when it comes to our pocketbooks, we ignore the lattes and put down the cheeseburger instead. [...]

]]> By: Mrs.W http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Mrs.W Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:30:56 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1042 I'll chime in here. Yes, it's too expensive to eat out every day--but I'll tell you, when I was commuting, plus working 9-10 hours a day, my time was very limited. So eating out frequently was my trade-off (plus it helped me to network with office big-whigs = face time = promotions). That said, the fast food route is NOT the way to go. Better to go to an ethnic eatery if there is one nearby. The special at my favorite thai place: $6--same price as an 'extra value meal' and significantly healthier. But if you can bring lunch, do, at least part of the week. If you need to get away from the office, have a picnic in the car. I did that often, followed by a 15-minute cat nap. Now THAT's what I call heaven. I’ll chime in here. Yes, it’s too expensive to eat out every day–but I’ll tell you, when I was commuting, plus working 9-10 hours a day, my time was very limited. So eating out frequently was my trade-off (plus it helped me to network with office big-whigs = face time = promotions).

That said, the fast food route is NOT the way to go. Better to go to an ethnic eatery if there is one nearby. The special at my favorite thai place: $6–same price as an ‘extra value meal’ and significantly healthier.

But if you can bring lunch, do, at least part of the week. If you need to get away from the office, have a picnic in the car. I did that often, followed by a 15-minute cat nap. Now THAT’s what I call heaven.

]]> By: Elliott Kim - 21st Century Dad http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1036 Elliott Kim - 21st Century Dad Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:06:23 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1036 I was just thinking about my job 10 years ago, when I was making a whopping $7/hr. A value meal was already north of $5. You still had to get in your car to buy it. I was spending 15% of my income just on lunch! Peer pressure is a factor too. Your buddies at work all want to go out for lunch. Your leftover spaghetti looks a lot less appealing now. I've also been in less-than-ideal working situations where I felt I needed to get away for that hour in the middle of the day. This is another hidden cost of job dissatisfaction. I was just thinking about my job 10 years ago, when I was making a whopping $7/hr. A value meal was already north of $5. You still had to get in your car to buy it. I was spending 15% of my income just on lunch!

Peer pressure is a factor too. Your buddies at work all want to go out for lunch. Your leftover spaghetti looks a lot less appealing now.

I’ve also been in less-than-ideal working situations where I felt I needed to get away for that hour in the middle of the day. This is another hidden cost of job dissatisfaction.

]]> By: Frugal Bachelor http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1035 Frugal Bachelor Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:40:39 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1035 I read this post in the morning and my mouth was watering all morning long due to the picture (I've seen Super Size Me, but it had the opposite effect on me, it made me want to eat at McD's even more). I'm a major fast food junkie, but rarely indulge due to the cost. There are actually some decent meals you have for less than $3 but that's another subject. Anyways, I had an errand to run downtown today, during lunch time. I passed McDonald's and remembered this post, and the mouthwatering picture, so I went for it. For $6.91 (including tax) I got the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Large Fries, and Large Strawberry Shake, which is just a ridiculous amount of food. Amazingly I was able to finish it all, and it filled me up enough that I definitely don't have appetite for dinner tonight, and probably not breakfast tomorrow. Three meals for the price of one! See the impact your blog is having? :-) I bring my lunch to work pretty much every day, and go out with co-workers maybe once a week. Today was a very rare exception, in general going out solo for fast food is not smart (due to cost), but going in group (normally to nicer restaurant) is worth it to socialize. Actually, the big thing which bothers me about going out to lunch is DRIVING. Unless you have places next to your office, you may well be paying $2 or more in gas just to get there and back, on top of the $6-$7 for the meal. I read this post in the morning and my mouth was watering all morning long due to the picture (I’ve seen Super Size Me, but it had the opposite effect on me, it made me want to eat at McD’s even more). I’m a major fast food junkie, but rarely indulge due to the cost. There are actually some decent meals you have for less than $3 but that’s another subject.

Anyways, I had an errand to run downtown today, during lunch time. I passed McDonald’s and remembered this post, and the mouthwatering picture, so I went for it. For $6.91 (including tax) I got the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Large Fries, and Large Strawberry Shake, which is just a ridiculous amount of food. Amazingly I was able to finish it all, and it filled me up enough that I definitely don’t have appetite for dinner tonight, and probably not breakfast tomorrow. Three meals for the price of one!

See the impact your blog is having? :-)

I bring my lunch to work pretty much every day, and go out with co-workers maybe once a week. Today was a very rare exception, in general going out solo for fast food is not smart (due to cost), but going in group (normally to nicer restaurant) is worth it to socialize.

Actually, the big thing which bothers me about going out to lunch is DRIVING. Unless you have places next to your office, you may well be paying $2 or more in gas just to get there and back, on top of the $6-$7 for the meal.

]]> By: thebakerboyhimself http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1028 thebakerboyhimself Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:06:58 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1028 Greetings frugal Dad! from a poor humble youth worker. I read the Book, "The Automatic Millionaire" and there are quite a few truths out there. You can save a great deal by not purchasing a daily latte, bagel, apple, 2 course lunch, and an afternoon snack. I, however, a man of meager accommodations and compensation, alas do not have the means to purchase in daily quantities the items listed above. What coffee I drink is made at home, most of my lunches are either brown bagged or purchased at Mcd's or Wendy's at a total of $2. My lovely wife and I made the decision a few years back to auto-withdrawl IRA installments to start building a decent retirement portfolio. I commend your constant efforts to help us remain frugal. Thanx 4 the advice! Greetings frugal Dad! from a poor humble youth worker.

I read the Book, “The Automatic Millionaire” and there are quite a few truths out there. You can save a great deal by not purchasing a daily latte, bagel, apple, 2 course lunch, and an afternoon snack. I, however, a man of meager accommodations and compensation, alas do not have the means to purchase in daily quantities the items listed above. What coffee I drink is made at home, most of my lunches are either brown bagged or purchased at Mcd’s or Wendy’s at a total of $2. My lovely wife and I made the decision a few years back to auto-withdrawl IRA installments to start building a decent retirement portfolio. I commend your constant efforts to help us remain frugal. Thanx 4 the advice!

]]> By: 1stopmom http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1027 1stopmom Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:48:52 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1027 I remember when fast food was affordable. I miss the days when whoppers would go on sale $.99 and big macs used to be like $1.39. I must admit I spent more money on fast food when I was working. Everyday at lunch I ate fast food. There was a Taco Bell, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, and Burger King within 1 minute of my job. When I think back of all the money I wasted, I just have to shake my head. It was so not worth it. It is almost like I was working for nothing!!! Buying fries, soda, burgers and the fixings at Aldi's beat the cost of eating at McDonald's any day. I remember when fast food was affordable. I miss the days when whoppers would go on sale $.99 and big macs used to be like $1.39. I must admit I spent more money on fast food when I was working. Everyday at lunch I ate fast food. There was a Taco Bell, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, and Burger King within 1 minute of my job. When I think back of all the money I wasted, I just have to shake my head. It was so not worth it. It is almost like I was working for nothing!!! Buying fries, soda, burgers and the fixings at Aldi’s beat the cost of eating at McDonald’s any day.

]]> By: moneyloveandchange http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1026 moneyloveandchange Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:28:23 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1026 I agree with DougL - everyone should watch Super Size Me. The cheeseburger (and fast food in general) is also the biggest threat to wealth b/c you can't enjoy your money if you're dead from a heart attack! I agree with DougL – everyone should watch Super Size Me. The cheeseburger (and fast food in general) is also the biggest threat to wealth b/c you can’t enjoy your money if you’re dead from a heart attack!

]]> By: Mom http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Mom Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:18:46 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/31/forget-lattes-the-cheeseburger-factor-is-biggest-threat-to-wealth/#comment-1025 My husband and I were just talking about this last night. I used to take the kids to McDonalds for lunch about twice a month. You know, to play and whatnot. But it's sooo expensive. It costs me about $15 to take myself and two kids there. Now we go out for pizza as a treat and it costs less than half as much, and really everyone enjoys it more. My husband and I were just talking about this last night. I used to take the kids to McDonalds for lunch about twice a month. You know, to play and whatnot. But it’s sooo expensive. It costs me about $15 to take myself and two kids there. Now we go out for pizza as a treat and it costs less than half as much, and really everyone enjoys it more.

]]>