$100 challenge-done!

These were my last two dinners:


Honey-soy chicken and fried rice with napa cabbage. Tuna melt and tomato soup.

The sesame loaf cost $0.45, so our combined money leftover is $0.84. I could have bought myself a mini Twix.

Oh, happy March! We did it! Pete and I didn't dine out--avoiding the requisite 8.375% tax and 18% tip--for a full 28 days. That's unprecedented. Admittedly, we did cut some corners (friends treating me to happy hour beers, using groceries we already had before the start of February, and mooching). But even with the help, this month was very difficult. The lack of variety (eating lentil soup four meals in a row) and the amount of preparation (coming home after a long day of school/night class and having to stay up an extra half hour to cook for the next day) were the most difficult aspects of the month for me. We're happy we did it. We're even happier that it's over (see picture). Below are some other conclusions from the month.


00:15, March 1, 2009. Kunjip.

I am very surprised by how much we've saved. My current credit card bill is 20% what it is normally. With several added expenses in the past six months (vet bills, car insurance payments), the amount of money saved is very helpful. Pete and I have decided to budget about $200 for drinking and dining out per month. That averages out to about $50 a weekend.

I have been reintroduced to rice. Growing up, we ate rice almost every day. This month, I realized how seldom I've cooked rice since I've lived in New York. I think the perfectionist in me has been shy about making Taiwanese food because it's never as good as my mom's. I'm going to start cooking rice more, especially now that we have access to Korean and Chinese supermarkets. Even if the meal doesn't hit the mark completely, it's still comfort food (and I realize now how much I've missed it).

My social/love life revolves around food and drink. I don't think this is uncommon for New Yorkers. Not being able to dine out, Pete was home for dinner a lot more. If eating a nice dinner at home is a date, we had more dates this month than we've had in a long time. It was a nice, cozy (even if more sedentary) change.

What's on the menu for tomorrow? PB&J like every other day, a pasta with sardines I made tonight for lunch, and maybe an everything bagel (just cause I missed them so).