I’m a creature of habit. I leave for work at the same time everyday (7:15am), and workout most days after work. I like watching the same TV shows to unwind (The Office is my all time favorite). Another thing that I do consistently is eat a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich pretty much everyday for lunch. I’ve done this for all 8 years of my working career and am kind of known for doing so – so much to the point when I don’t bring one (i.e. lunch is provided) that people are taken aback! 

Why I do it

I don’t eat a PB&J everyday because I love the taste, truth be don’t I don’t love it, although I don’t mind it. I’m a creature of habit; so eating the same thing for lunch everyday doesn’t bother me. I do it primarily because it saves me time, and more importantly; money. I’ve watched friends and colleagues for 8 years head out for lunch everyday, and see them spend $5-$10 on their meals. Sure it’s nice to get out of the office, stretch your legs and help stimulate the local economy, but eating out 5 days a week for 50 weeks at $7.50 average is $1,875 over the course of the year! That’s why I eat PB&J, because my entire lunch maybe costs me $2. I’m able to save maybe $1,375 over the course of a year. 

Being financially successful is all about first setting goals for yourself, and then finding ways that work best for you to achieve your goals. For me, I try to save 40% of my salary. That includes 9% retirement (I get a 6% match), 10% Employee Purchase Stock Program, then about 10% to various investing/savings goals (I buy into an index fund and am always saving for my next car) and finally 10% to the house (which I consider an investment). To help me achieve my goal, I need to cut back on my spending somewhere, so lunch is a logical place for me to do so. 

I’m still able to be social and interact with friends and colleagues, I’ll either go with them while they pick up their lunch and wait while they actually get it, or I’ll just meet them in the kitchen if they’re bringing the food back. I’ve ate a PB&J many a times in the mall food court! For me, eating a PB&J (along with chips, carrots, and a piece of chocolate or candy) is an easy way to save money! 

Figure out your own PB&J 

As previously mentioned, the real way to be financially successful is to set your own goals and then figure out what works best to help you achieve them. For most of us, it probably involves saving more money, and one of the easiest ways to do so is to cut back on spending. Maybe it’s not a PB&J for you, as maybe you really value eating lunch out. It could be maybe carpooling with co-workers to save gas money. Or maybe it’s only eating out on the weekends. Or perhaps it’s not buying drinks and sticking to water when eating out. Or maybe it’s not food related and it’s limiting yourself to one new article of clothing, or only seeing one movie in theaters. It could be cutting the cord and just using a streaming service. Whatever it is, figure it out and get motivated to stick with it. Find your own PB&J! 

Use it as a motivator 

I actually view my daily PB&J as a badge of honor, one that I wear proudly. I don’t mind being the guy known for bringing his lunch everyday. For me it’s a visible reminder of my commitment to my financial goals of saving more money. It’s a daily reminder that I’m making progress, saving $5-$10 everyday. That satisfaction for me tastes sweeter than the PB&J! 

What about you? What’s your PB&J?