Great food - frills = lower prices

I had a great lunch of salmon with apple and garlic sauce and sauteed veggies today. Fresh ingredients and a reasonable portion, for a price of $8.
The restaurant used disposable utensils and plates, and the food is simply presented. That’s probably why they can afford to get great ingredients and still offer a low price. [...]

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Why give? (Or, what if you derive no utility from giving?)

My total charitable contributions for 2006 amounted to $0. My 2007 contribution is a $25 donation to my school. Granted, I am still in college. But I have the ability to give more, especially because all my basic living costs are covered and I could forgo a meal of $20 sushi in exchange for writing [...]

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Thinking out loud about buying real estate

Remember how I talked about owning a home as one of my medium-term goals? I always assumed I wouldn’t be purchasing a home until I finish graduate school (around 28-30) and know where I’d like to stay put for a while. But now I’m thinking, depending on how things work out, maybe I can buy [...]

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The price of warmth

Even at midnight the air is warm. I walked outside with a cotton turtleneck and an unzipped hoodie and felt fine. I love warm nights. And days. Basically, 65+ degree weather and I are really, really GOOD friends. Another reason why I am doomed to never move out of my expensive-as-heck town.
For people who are [...]

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Eating out = $$$ out

I went to Trader Joe’s today and left with a box of chocolate-covered cherries ($4.99), two boxes of cookies for friends ($1.99 each), and a pack of sushi ($2.99). At least it’s somewhat cheaper than Whole Foods. I also had Starbucks ($4.80), Italian ($16.25) and fajitas ($7.45) yesterday.
Tonight the plan is to order Chinese takeout, [...]

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