Bring your lunch to work
Today I read a really interesting fact from HSBC on money-saving tips. This one really got my attention:
Bring lunch to work rather than eating out and you may save $5 per work day. In a year that can add up to over $1,200.
That’s a nice chunk of change.. Here are some lunch ideas that are easy and tasty to bring to work.
1. Microwaveable meals -
Check out what’s on sale. There’s usually always one brand on sale. But here’s some personal insight. If you want to eat a well portioned meal, I recommeng Marie Calendar’s and Stoufers. Lean Cuisine has some great meals, but they can leave you hungry.
2. Soups - It’s always a good idea to have a can of soup in your drawer in case your wallet and stomach seem empty come lunch time.
3. Sandwiches -
Try out new breads, get creative.. smother some hummus and veggies on there, go for a mozarella and tomato, or an elvis peanut butter and banana, and you can’t go wrong with turkey - maybe put some honey mustard on it to give it some kick
4. Left-overs - I love left-overs from dinner for lunch. Cook dinner thinking about bringing something for lunch.
Do this for a week or two, and I promise you’ll see the savings. Bring a book and still go sit outside of the office if going out to lunch is usually your decompress time.
But they key to bringing your lunch to work and sticking with it is to CHANGE IT UP - and feel free to go out to eat maybe once a month.. but be sure to just order water with lemon.
Good Luck!!
Want a recipe for sweet potato pie - here’s a good one at Coaching Cooking.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Over a decade ago, when I worked on a large university campus, lunch salads were $5.95. I found that by buying my own salad components at the grocery and the local farmers’ market, I could make my own far tastier, customized salads for about $1.30 per day - less if I hit sales. I cleaned/prepped everything as soon as I got home from shopping, put everything in the fridge for the week, and each morning assembled a very hefty salad in about three minutes. Well worth the effort health-wise and financially.
Making your own salad dressings is inexpensive, too.