Image via WikipediaThis week we’ve been house-sitting for some friends, and it’s been a great experience. I love their dog, and it’s nice to be in a different space sometime. They also have something we don’t have that I’d officially like to….a microwave.
Yes, I’ve lived over two years without a microwave. That’s nothing new for me, though; when I was a kid, our microwave broke and my mom refused to fix it. I’ve never noticed it as a need. I can pop fresh popcorn on the stove and I just plan ahead.
This morning, I had a micro-ephiphany. I was wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s, and realized that even though I think of TJ’s as more of a specialty niche store, I could actually use it to save money, if we have a microwave.
My husband and I work eight hour shifts that begin early in the morning. We’re lucky to grab a quick early meal, and by the time we realize it, we’re past famished. This usually results in the uber bad habit of stopping for fast or fastish food on the way home which can easily ramp up to ten or fifteen dollars for lunch a few times a week.
If I go to Trader Joes and pick up several pre-made frozen or refrigerated microwaveable meals, we can just head straight home. We’d be eating within the same amount of time, and knocking at least a third of the cost off the top.
I figure if we get a decent microwave, we’ll be able to pay for it with food savings within two-three months. Today is pulled pork sliders with mac & cheese. I could get used to this.
