Actually, that title is probably an exaggeration. While the $2.1 million that Zhao Danyang paid for a three-hour lunch with Warren Buffett is a ridiculous amount of money, I'm sure that some smartass classics scholar is going to point out that Cleopatra had a more expensive meal at some point.

That having been said, the fact that the Chinese investment fund manager was willing to shell out such an exorbitant sum for three hours with the famed "Oracle of Omaha" says a lot about uncertainty in the economy and the incredible amount of respect that Buffett commands.

In a characteristically modest statement, the guru himself admitted that "It kind of blew me away." The money will go to support the Glide Foundation, a San Francisco-based charity.

While previous Buffett lunch winners have attested to the wonders of a little private time with the investment guru, the sad fact is that most of us will never be able to come up with the necessary funds to meet the master. With that in mind, I am offering a value-priced alternative. For a mere $12, the cost of a Reuben at Junior's Delicatessen, Walletpop readers in the New York City area can have the joy of a half-hour lunch with me. While I have neither the wisdom, investing skill, or snappy wardrobe of Mr. Buffett, I can speak intelligently about a variety of topics for up to a half hour (hence the time limit). Moreover, I can pretty much guarantee that I will be a far more interesting lunch partner than Keanu Reeves, Andie McDowell, or even David Beckham. Call now, as spaces are limited!

Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, blogger, and all-around cheapskate. Although he is a big fan of the Junior's Reuben, he would also be willing to meet at Katz's, Barney Greengrass, or Dojo. Mendy's is out.