Eating lunch out can cost you in more ways than one. Save money and calories by taking your lunch to work, and still eat well!
Just dropping $20 at lunch everyday will set you back at least $5,000 a year. Is that enough incentive to start brown bagging?
Ways to Take Your Lunch, Still Eat Well and Save Money:
- Prepare your lunch the night before. Trying to cram in just one more task before work is enough to put any sane person over the edge. Instead, fix your meal the night before when you’re clear-headed and not hungry! Include tasty, yet healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grain breads with some fancy cheeses you can buy in bulk at a warehouse club. Put a bottle of water in the freezer before you go to bed. By the time you’re ready for lunch at the office, the water will be the perfect temperature.
- Make a picnic out of it. Bringing your lunch doesn’t mean you can’t socialize. Invite your colleagues to join you in the building’s outdoor commons area or at a nearby park you can walk to. You’ll eat a healthy meal, save money and get your exercise at the same time! You might even set an example for others in your office. When they see how much money you’re saving, they might even get in on the act!
- Save money on paper bags by buying an insulated lunch box. Lunch boxes aren’t just for kids. You can choose between an array of colors, and they look professional. These will keep your cold lunches from getting warm, but really won’t prevent a hot lunch from getting cold. You’re better off using the microwave in the break room. And forget the soda machine! Buy a thermos and bring your favorite beverage from home. You’ll save at least a dollar a day by staying away from the vending machines. If you do decide to stick with paper bags, be sure to recycle at the office!
- Bring your dinner leftovers from the night before. Tired of throwing out leftover food from family meals? Be sure to separate the entrée from the vegetables into different containers and simply microwave them at work. The only time of year this may not work is in the heat of the summer, when meat could spoil. Even during the winter, freeze an ice pack the night before and drop it in the bag next to your meat.
Forgot to prepare your lunch the night before? Just make a quick stop at the grocery store on your way to work. The deli section offers a variety of pre-made sandwiches and salads. Not as cheap as making them yourself; but much less expensive than eating at a restaurant.
The copyright of the article Brown Bagging to Save Money in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Brown Bagging to Save Money in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
