A simple workplace observation has sparked a broader online debate about frugality and routine. The post has since opened a conversation about how much people judge the eating choices of those around them. In the end, a cheap lunch isn’t just about food but also about how people see routine, identity, and personal priorities in everyday life.
The story
The original poster shared on Reddit about a coworker who brings the exact same lunch every single day: a hard-boiled egg, a scoop of rice, and half an avocado. He says it costs him about $1.25 and that it saves him more than $2,500 a year compared to eating out.
He prepares a whole week of meals on Sunday, stacks the identical containers in his fridge, and never wavers. He doesn’t even eat the pizza or donuts someone brings into the office. The poster admitted they admire the discipline but said they personally need more variety. Then they asked if anyone else “goes this hard” with ultra-frugal routines or has a dirt-cheap lunch that still feels, not depressing.
With forty thousand upvotes and thousands of people sharing their thoughts, the post sparked a debate online. Some were surprised by his strict routine, others were concerned about his health, while many shared their own frugal routines.
The reactions
Someone jumped in with a similar routine they had for years: “For about five years, I ate the same thing for breakfast/lunch every day: maple brown sugar instant oats (low sugar), banana, strawberries, blueberries, a handful of walnuts, and a scoop of peanut butter.”
There’s something strangely comforting about a go-to meal that never changes. Still, doing that for five years straight takes a level of commitment most people can’t imagine.
Another person shared their frugal routine, “I used to get a box of pasta, a can of sauce, and Italian sausages. That would last me at least three meals a week.” Honestly, pasta is the backbone of many frugal eaters. It’s practical to buy one box and know you’ve secured half your meals for the week. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also affordable.
Then a commenter added their version of frugality that resonates with the coworker, “This is me. I eat the same thing every day at work. Three ounces of cheese, six Triscuits, and a piece of fruit. I cut the cheese up on Sunday. Crackers are in bags for the week. Fruit (usually an orange), I prepare the night before. I never have to think about what I’m going to eat during the week. It’s cheap, and I can worry about other things”.
Knowing your lunch is taken care of frees up the mental clutter that usually hits around 10:45 a.m., when you start wondering what you’re actually going to eat.
Another commenter said, “I do the same. I make a bland chicken chili and frozen vegetables for the week. It comes to about $3/meal. If I meal prep something I really enjoy, I’ll overeat and/or graze on it throughout the week.” Many people have one meal that they can eat on repeat without getting bored. Something they can make easily and that will last them a few lunches or dinners.
One person shared their colleague’s routine, “Worked with a guy at the library who ate only a PB&J sandwich every day for lunch. Never any variation. He bought a house several years later.” Another person added, “I did something similar for about 4 years to pay off my student loans. PB&J, Greek yogurt, granola, and a kiwi. Very cheap week by week and kept me from eating out for lunch.”
A peanut butter sandwich or yogurt might seem like a small thing to people, but if you replace eating out with such simple meals, you can save up a lot. Of course, it is not just money that is saved from the food alone that lets you buy a house, but it’s all a combination of such financial decisions.
A few people started looking at the practical side of his routine. Someone asked, “How are his avocados not getting brown over the week?” Half an avocado rarely lasts long, and even good storage tricks only go so far. Maybe the coworker has a way to keep the avocados from browning, or he buys them unripe.
Someone else commented on portion size, “To be fair, it is a healthy meal... but very small for all day?”
One egg, some rice, and half an avocado isn’t exactly a filling lunch for most people. It sounds like the amount you’d eat before you actually eat your real lunch. But this man seems unbothered, and honestly, some people function on surprisingly tiny meals. Others can’t get through a Zoom call without needing a snack.
One person praised the discipline and how it saves the coworker money: “The dude has a goal. When he retires early or disappears on that two-year round-the-world trip, it’ll be worth every mouthful. Kudos to him.”
They weren’t the only ones thinking this way. Someone else added, “He’s socking away money. Smart person! And probably healthy too.”
Consistent habits like this can create noticeable savings over time, and a $2,500 annual difference suggests the coworker may be applying similar strategies in other areas of spending as well. The routine might seem repetitive to some, but from a financial standpoint, it clearly aligns with specific goals.
Not everyone was sold on this routine, though. “I’m surprised nobody has said this, but that’s a terrible diet. I don’t know what his meals are like outside of work, but we need variety to maintain a healthy microbiome in the gut. This doesn’t come from just eating multivitamins as a replacement for missing nutrients. People who eat like this easily get food poisoning when eating anything on holiday or even at a new restaurant, but seeing how frugal he is, maybe that isn’t a problem?”
Diet patterns that lack variety can limit nutrient diversity and may not support long-term dietary needs. Many people pointed out that the coworker’s overall diet outside of lunch would play a major role in determining whether the routine is balanced or too restrictive.
Another person tried to decode the coworker’s motives. They said, “If other people bring donuts, and he refuses them, that seems to indicate he’s on a certain diet. If he was frugal, why would he refuse free food?” Turning down a free donut does suggest there might be something else going on. Maybe he counts calories, or prefers routine. Or maybe he doesn’t want to derail his eating habit, even for something free.
The takeaway
People handle food routines in all sorts of ways, and this story was just one example of how personal those choices can be. What seems extreme to one person can feel completely normal to someone else. In the end, everyone lands on whatever makes their day easier, whether it’s a variety of meals, the same thing every day, or something in between.
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