Rice Budget?

My diet has changed quite a bit in the last couple of months.  First I went back to counting calories, then I gave up meat.  So many more vegetables, and then there's the fruit smoothies.  One thing that has not changed is the amount of rice I eat.

I never actually leave the house thinking of the yummy rice I'll be eating today.  And I never buy rice to eat at home.  But I eat out one meal almost every day at places like Little Tokyo and Chipotle, and it almost always contains a lot of rice.

Yesterday I was really looking forward to trying some prepackaged curry, but it definitely needed filler.  Of course my go to will be rice.  And why not pick it up from Little Tokyo?  So I got some rice and steamed vegetables for $4.75.  It was all delicious.  I've been thrilled with these prepackaged indian main courses in general, and will be eating much more in the future.

But I got to thinking.  A burrito from Chipotle would cost about as much to make on my own as it would to buy from them.  But steamed rice and vegetables?  Maybe a dollar.  A rice cooker could make both, and pay for itself in less than a week.

Now you may be thinking, 'Wouldn't it be even cheaper to use the stove you already have?'  Nope.  Because I wouldn't do that.  I'd plan on making it, then run behind, or give up because I'm lazy.  I may have ridiculous limitations, but at least I know what they are.

*** Update ***

Never mind.  Chipotle sells a side of rice for a dollar.  Chipotle is awesome.  Problem solved.