How a Vegemite sanga became my ticket to seeing the world

By Ashleigh Howarth

Burger and chips for lunch? Tempting.

Sushi? Always a crowd favourite.

A flaky pie from the local bakery? Don’t even get me started!

But if I said yes to these delectable takeaway options a couple of times a week or month, I wouldn’t be travelling the world.

Pretty soon I will be venturing off for another month-long trip to Europe (because you don’t just visit for two weeks) and will be crossing off an additional six countries, bringing my grand total of countries I have visited to 31.

So how do I afford month-long stretches overseas, hopping between countries and returning to a few of my favourite cities again and again?

Let me introduce you to something I like to call… The Vegemite Sandwich Rule.

When I worked in offices, the aroma of hot chips and sauce-dripping burgers always filled the lunchroom as people unwrapped their takeaway goodies, but more often than not I would sit there with my humble vegemite sandwich, and maybe a yoghurt and muesli bar.

And you know what? I’m okay with that.

Because I’m not eating for today - I’m eating for future me. The version where I am devouring pizza and pasta in a tiny Italian trattoria, gourmet cheeses and meats at London’s Borough Market, and sipping colourful cocktails at every rooftop bar I can find.

That future meal? That experience? It’s going to taste a whole lot better than any random Wednesday takeaway.

Sure, my coworkers might have laughed. They might have raised an eyebrow at my very beige-looking lunch. Some of them even went to a local café and paid an extraordinary amount for two pieces of toast with the same Aussie spread.

But honestly? It’s a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make. And between you and I… a Vegemite sandwich really isn’t that bad.

And when things get a little repetitive, I adapt.

Bread going stale? Toast it.

Over Vegemite? Switch to peanut butter or if I’m feeling really naughty, Nutella.

Feeling fancy? Bring on the ham and salad roll.  

Don’t worry though – that wasn’t all I ate every day. I would often bring leftovers from dinner the night before or meal-prep bulk meals on weekends to see me through the week.

This isn’t about not wanting to spend money - it’s about being purposeful! By buying a simple loaf of bread and using what’s already in my pantry, like Vegemite and other spreads, I save a surprising amount of money.

Because all those $10 lunch deals and $5 coffees…. they all add up pretty fast, and can equal some serious dough that I can spend at cafes, restaurants and bars that aren’t around the corner.  

Do I still indulge sometimes and give in to my takeaway temptations? Of course I do - I’m only human! I’m not out here denying myself every little joy in life.

But I also don’t need a takeaway treat multiple times a week to feel happy.

Because what makes me happier than spending money on a takeaway burger is booking a plane ticket.