Should Those Who Work At Home Eat Out Regularly ?
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
I suggest making it at home where you can watch the calories better. Eating out will eventually translate into extra pounds.
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d@nish wrote:
In that case, you are spending 40 minutes cooking
Way underestimated, big time. I'm thinking that you and I may have different ideas on dishes, kitchen, etc. Perhaps you have a glass-top stove, in which case I'm highway green with jealousy. I have one of those electric eye things; the fire hazard kind which attracts a mess as a result of one use. It's generally 20 to 30 to prepare the meal, and 30 to 45 to clean up after it. Actually more, as the plates must come out of the dishwasher, the plastic stuff must be set out to dry off, etc., etc.. 90 minutes is not out of the ballpark at all, and that really hits home; what with all the other thoughts folks here have tossed into the mix of thoughts. (Thanks, both you, d@nish, and a dozen others here)
I'm the master of the 20 minute meal (cook time). During cooking I normally have time to empty the dishwasher from the previous day and clean up any prep work mess. Now in fairness that's a two course meal. A meat and a vegetable and sometimes a starch. Maybe look to the crock pot meals and see if that helps. From my experience, it's cheaper to eat at home and much healthier. I don't know how it is for you, but I do find cooking cathartic, especially once you learn technique and throw away recipe cards. :)
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I suggest making it at home where you can watch the calories better. Eating out will eventually translate into extra pounds.
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
As I typically do, I would change the question. I work out of the house, and have for years. It takes a while to get used to. The challenge is that we get paid so well for our time, that economic decisions are skewed! I have a screen door to re-screen. I could buy 2 new ones for what it will cost me in lost time to re-screen it! But I have learned if I go that route, eventually, I will be paying someone to hug my daughter and say good night. So, I want you to consider changing the question. What other fulfilling things do you want to do in your life? How much would you like to socialize? How much exercise are you getting? Consider getting a gym membership. Get up in the morning, go to the gym, get a LIGHT workout in. Buy a heartrate monitor. Choose a NICE and CLEAN gym. One that has a Sauna and Hot Tub. The trick to going to the gym is GETTING to the gym. Everyday I would get up, and go to the gym. My "agreement" with myself was that if I did not feel like working out, I would have an "Executive Workout" (Hot Tub and Sauna), which I deserved from whatever work I did that had me so tired I did not feel like going. IT Works. The heart rate monitor was great too because I noticed when I was run down, my heart rate was running higher than usual (meaning, I should not put too much stress on myself). But I got out every day, and paid myself, first thing in the morning. I felt better all day. I slept better. Finally, we should WORK for a living, not LIVE to work. I still have a tough time with this, so schedule everything that is important to you. I have a standing Tuesday night hangout with some friends (the group varies), but we get together because life is short (I lost my brother to cancer, a good friend to MS, flying home to see my mother in hospice tomorrow. I imagine over the next couple of years, I will be burying my father). Get a hobby, even if it is hiring chefs to come in and cook for you, and showing you how to make your favorite meals. I dont think you would ever regret learning how to cook amazing things. Remember, our code will accrue technical debt on its own. We will accrue Social Debt on our own!
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
It seems to me that you are actually treating two subjects as if they are one. There are two very different things here that should be considered separately. The first is social interaction. You mention going 60 hours without opening the door. This most definitely is not a good thing. You should get some real interaction with people nearly every day. You should get very regular meaningful interaction (beyond what a typical server will give you). For this perhaps join a club. The second thing is the cost of eating. Quite simply you can eat in for less than eating out. If it is about the pure cost scale, then eat in and eat leftovers. But ... if you wish to use this for interaction of some sort and can afford it then eat out. Personally, I would recommend trying to get some sort of balance in life having regular interaction with friends. Along with the balance I would aim to have some meals at home, and others at a restaurant.
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
I've worked from home for years. Here is what I found to work for me: I make the week's sandwiches on Sunday for my me and my husband and put them in the freezer. Each evening I take one out for each of us and it's thawed in plenty of time for lunch the next day. I also make up yogurts and buy fruit. We shop once a week. Sometimes I will make extra food and have that for lunch instead. I only take 1/2 hour for lunch (I could take more but then would have to work later) and find making it during that time to take up too much of the time. We try to watch our money too but we buy good bread and sandwich fillings. I do have to keep regular hours as I also do phone support as well as develop. As for the other concerns, I find going to the grocery store once a week a night out (big whoop). I'm also involved in church activities during the week which helps with the interaction. As for exercise, I have a standing desk. I have a treadmill. We have parks nearby. So I get to stand or walk. You just have to decide to do it. Sleeping habits I'm still working on as I have a hard time falling asleep.
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
I would recommend walking more. That gets you in touch with your neighborhood, out of the house, and can lead to social interactions that a WFH person needs. Driving is not only bad for the environment - it does nothing for your health either. If you live in an area that requires driving I'd consider moving to a walkable/city area - sounds drastic (to suggest moving when you're asking about food) but there is a reason people pay more to live in such places. I carry my groceries, a half-mile walk each way. This means nearly everything I eat has been carried a mile...good for my health, and keeps me from overeating (supplemented by high exercise levels). I'll take exercise breaks during the day, my condo has a pool and I consistently visit there too. I'm only WFH a couple days a week but still find these steps vital to enjoying life and staying healthy. Food for thought.
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Smartest reply in this thread! :thumbsup:
Jeremy Falcon
Well he IS Sherlock's politically astute brother.
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
I work from home. The beauty of it is... you have full control over your time. The bad part is... you have full control over your time. So, embrace the guilt. First, you have to figure out if its about the money or about the eating habbits. Mine is the later. If you're an average developer or if you're older than 30 then you're likely over weight. So, do yourself a favor and rotate your life around excercise... not around food. The best thing I did for myself is decide that my day revolves around excercise. So half way through my day, I walk to the gym (2+ miles), do a workout, and walk back from the gym. My plan is to do this daily. I then EAT only when my body demands it instead of on a schedule. I also try to limit my portions and eating out does not promote limiting portions. Getting out of the house is important so go out... but not for food. Good luck, Joel
Joel Palmer Data Integration Engineer
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C-P, from this I assume you are single, from other posts I figure you are not a child programmer any more. I guess this is not about cost or even eating, it sounds like the lower level of social interaction caused by working from home is getting to you. I had family around me when I worked from home so there was little peace and quiet. I had a rule that after dinner, fairly early with kids I did not work that evening. I have been known to plug in at 4 am though! I would go with your first option, not for the cost saving but just to get out of the house and away from the blasted computer and work.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
I work from home, and live out in the boonies (southern Ohio). It's all remote office for us--other guys are in Wisconsin, and we've had Colorado developers on the line for a while. For me, it's not a problem. I like being away from people, and my family is about all I need to interact with. On the other hand, Jeff (one of the bachelor cheese heads) got so starved for social interaction that he took a job as the night shift clerk at a liquor store. Because he was willing to work all sorts of odd hours and weekends, they were more than happy to accommodate him if project work took a weird turn for business travel. Although, in most places, the statement "I'm taking a job at a liquor store for less than 1/3 my pay here" would seem strange or foreboding in most situations, I completely understood. He seemed pretty happy for a long time, until he finally got an offer to work for a local multinational in a traditional office. Lesson for me: You do what it takes to make you happy. I'm happy being left alone, and Jeff was happier with people to talk to.
vuolsi così colà dove si puote ciò che si vuole, e più non dimandare --The answer to Minos and any question of "Why are we doing it this way?"
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Well he IS Sherlock's politically astute brother.
No he's the first self aware computer on the moon - Moon is a Harsh Mistress!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I'm trying to do the sensible thing. When you work at home, is it better to eat out every day ? (Or, if not every day, most days.) Since starting my work from home job, I have observed that I have spent as many as 60 hours without opening the door. During those times, I have slept less, slept far more irregularly, exercised less and exercised less regularly; i.e., all the bad things; and these behaviors have shown an absolutely singularly defining mark: working at home instead of a company owned building. I did a little thinking, and I'm wondering if I am making up an excuse to be lazy and avoid the ancillary facets of a meal (also known as "work") or if this really is the cause of the problem (or at least a significantly contributing factor) and should be rectified by local restaurants. Food via home cooking... * Internet shopping and comparison of local stores * Drive to grocery store(s) * Stalk the aisles * Stand in line to checkout * Load car * Drive back home * Unload car * Refrigerator space allocation Those occur two or three times a week * Meal prep * Dishwasher and the dishes * Kitchen chores * Take out the trash Those occur every day, sometimes twice Now for... Food via eating out... * Drive to restaurant * Order the meal, wait on the prep * Eat it * Pay * Leave and drive back home From looking at those two lists, I see three factors that are about the same: Driving there, driving back, and the wait (the prep time is about equal to the checkout lane). Have others here (others who have worked both traditionally, and from home) done a similar analysis ? If so, can you share knowledge gleaned from personal experience ? I'm starting to wonder how much money I'm actually "saving" by doing all the work myself at home. I would like to suggest a reference point salary of eight hundred dollars per week. I got that number from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, HERE[^] While far from perfect, it's in the ballpark and close enough for this discussion. If Joe Generalguy makes $800 a week, then how much is he "paying himself" by doing his own food as opposed to buying two burgers and fries out of his wages ? More to the point: Does home food prep have any real payoff for work-at-home people ?
There's some great advice in the previous comments to your post. My only suggestion relates to cooking at home. If you need to learn more about cooking, I have two words for you. Actually a pair sets word pairs: 1. Alton Brown 2. Good Eats If you don't know who Alton Brown is then you've never seen "Good Eats" either. Do yourself a favor, Google him and check out his YouTube channel and watch the episodes of "Good Eats." You'll learn to cook for yourself (and others) and love the science he brings to the kitchen.
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There's some great advice in the previous comments to your post. My only suggestion relates to cooking at home. If you need to learn more about cooking, I have two words for you. Actually a pair sets word pairs: 1. Alton Brown 2. Good Eats If you don't know who Alton Brown is then you've never seen "Good Eats" either. Do yourself a favor, Google him and check out his YouTube channel and watch the episodes of "Good Eats." You'll learn to cook for yourself (and others) and love the science he brings to the kitchen.
Youtube cooking channels ? Great idea. I have downloaded over a hundred clips from there... Betty's Kitchen[^] (My #1 Choice) Niko's Kitchen[^] My #2 guy AllRecipes[^] In many ways, #3 is better than the first two The WolfePit[^] You'll love him or hate him; no middle ground with Mr. Wolfe Cook With Aussie[^] It's Australian The CIA [^] (That's "Culinary Institute Of America", not the spy club) Jauja Cocina Mexicana[^] It's a Mexican channel Bhavna's Kitchen[^] Vegetarian, slanted toward Indian Food Aashpazi[^] It's Persian food