So, week one without restaurants ended yesterday and it was pretty dang successful.

I have to confess that I did go out to lunch once…because I had to for work. Not the kind of “had to” like all of my coworkers were going out and I didn’t want to be left out, but “had to” like my manager asked me to take my new coworker to lunch on her first day because my manager was out of town and it was on my manager. Which, I think, means I can still call it a perfect week. I didn’t lose money and I got a very healthy salad and nothing else totally keeping the “spirit” of the resolution.

I can’t tell you the number of times, though, that I thought, “Oh, I’ll just grab something at…” before remembering that, oh, no I wouldn’t. And once I got past the first two days sans Diet Coke, I wasn’t moody or grumpy or anything like it. In fact, I’ve felt pretty amazing all week!

And the dollar verdict: $20 under budget. And my budget is tight. And I’ve never not gone over my budget…by a lot (was there even a point in having a budget?). I would count this a success. I feel very good about myself.

This coming week, there are no “eating out” obligations but I am volunteering at the Mets game on Friday and I get to go for free and who goes to baseball games with out eating at the ballpark??? I’m just going to have to deal with it because there is no excuse…meaning I have to pack my lunch and dinner to work. I will have to buy a water bottle because I won’t be allowed in with my own. But a $4 bottle of water (are you throwing up a little in your mouth right now) is a lot better than a $4 bottle of water, $5 for a hot dog (if I’m lucky) and whatever treat I would normally get.

I don’t think this is going to be my new MO, but I do think that it is going to help me be much more cognizant of how I spend money and the things I think are worth the spend and the things I think aren’t. This might make me a little less popular with my friends, but…I think they’ll understand. They’re all being very supportive right now. Hopefully it continues.