I receive a lot of questions from readers about how to save money and stretch a dollar. I actually write another blog devoted to this topic, but after receiving so many requests and questions, I’ve decided to feature a “financial series” on Carrots ‘N’ Cake. So, in the next week or so, be sure to keep a look out for some posts devoted to living well on less.
But, first, let’s do to lunch! 😀
Lunch
It’s Restaurant Week here in Boston, so Lauren kindly offered to arrange lunch for Shannon, Elina, herself, and me at Post 390 this afternoon. In the past, I’ve enjoyed cocktails and appetizers at Post 390, but never a meal, so I was psyched to give it a whirl today.
Post 390 offered an awesome Restaurant Week menu!! Usually, restaurants only give you a choice of 2 or 3 dishes, but Post 390 had a ton of options. In fact, they had 10 different entrees to chose from. The restauarnt offered a 3-course meal for just $20.10, which is a steal in Boston!
For my starter, I chose the Arugula Salad with shaved parmesan and lemon-olive oil. It was nothing fancy, but I could tell that it was made with high-quality ingredients. The salad was so fresh and flavorful; it didn’t need a lot of ingredients to taste good.
For my entree, I ordered the Goat Cheese and Kalamata Flatbread with caramelized onions, balsamic vinegar, and arugula on top.
Oh, how I love flatbread pizza! I could probably eat it everyday.
This one was great! I loved the goat cheese! 😀
Dessert was my favorite part of the meal. Obviously.
From the 5 dessert options, I picked the Cupcake Trio, which included carrot cake, key lime, and chocolate-espresso cupcakes. Holy yummm!
I totally devoured the cupcake tops. What can I say, I’m a frosting gal, not a cake gal! 😉
So, taking advantage of Restaurant Week is just one way that I live well on less. I also have a game plan for dining out as well as other ways to save money at restaurants.
Tomorrow, I plan to blog about how I managed to have fun in college (and the years that followed) without going into debt. If you have any last-minute questions, please let me know. I’ll be sure to answer them in tomorrow’s post.
Heading to hot yoga in a bit! I’m hooked!
61 Comments
I love your method of cupcake eating! Haha! And flatbread pizza is my kind of food!
HI!
You probably get this question a lot, but I’m curious to know how much you spend on groceries on average per week? It seems hard for me to keep it under $100 most weeks. I started shopping at BJ’s and Costco and that seems to be helping. Any other tips?
Thanks and I LOVE your blog!
Andrea
@Andrea: Mal and I spend $75 or less each week. I’ve written a few posts over on Trading Up Downtown on how I save money on grocery shopping. Perhaps I’ll repost them on CNC! 😉
Hi Tina,
So psyched you’re becoming a hot yoga convert! It’s addictive, isn’t it? I just can’t get enough. Out of curiosity, where are you practicing (Boston area)? I love my yoga studio and if you ever want to join me for a class, let me know.
I have a question related to eating when you’re hungry. I always hear how, depending on your age and weight, that you have to eat a certain amount of grains, veggies, fruits, ect. but what if you’re not hungry and you don’t want to eat bread just because you haven’t eaten a whole grain all day, should you eat it or just not reach the supposed nutritional daily requirements? I guess what I’m asking is should you eat even if you’re not hungry in order to meet the nutritional standards such as getting 3 oz of whole grain in a day?
While I love the theme of ‘eating on less’ and maybe $20 for a 3-course meal at lunch is a deal or a steal, I found it rather laughable that a $20 lunch is a deal when someone is seriously eating on a budget!
Your other blog – has tons of info and tips. I enjoyed it 😉
I can’t wait to read your CNC Financial series! I already am an avid reader of Trading Up Downtown so I can’t wait to hear what other tips you have to offer. Thanks! 🙂
I love Restaurant Week (though I’ve never seen a $20 three-course meal offered in NYC as part of Restaurant Week…boo). It’s a great way to dine out and not spend an absolute fortune.
Major yum @ those cupcakes. 🙂
How funny, I always eat the bottoms of cakes and muffins first because the tops are always THE best!
excellent photos!
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