Eating out every day at lunch with your co-workers can be – seriously – the highlight of the work week. But if you’re eating out five days a week, at any restaurant that doesn’t have a dollar menu, you’re probably spending upwards of $40 per week. Taking your lunch every day might not sound very glamorous, but it’s a great way to commit to sticking to your budget and saving money. Once in a while, you can still go out with a friend or colleagues for lunch… but you can save some serious money by getting in the habit of bringing a brown bag to work, or at least cutting down on the number of times you go out each week.
The Basics
Some people might like to get fancy with their lunches. But don’t be ashamed if you have an affinity for something easy, such as ham and cheese sandwiches or Ramen in a cup. All it takes is a few minutes each night to make a sandwich, or to set out a Cup-o-Noodles to grab on your way out the door in the morning. The amount it costs to eat these basics for lunch for the entire week is close to the equivalent to one day of going out to lunch.
You can also begin buying deli meat and cheese at the grocery store to make simple sandwiches. You don’t have to bring the same thing each day; mix it up a bit. Maybe you’re craving peanut butter and jam one day, but the next day you bring a ham and cheese sandwich. BLTs are also an easy and yummy sandwich to make for lunch. Plus, you can customize your sandwiches. Maybe you prefer pita over regular bread, or lots of mustard instead of mayo. Make it something you’ll look forward to!
Gourmet Lunch
If there is a particular sandwich, sub, or salad you love to get for lunch from a nearby restaurant or sandwich shop, get a little creative. The internet is a great source for looking up recipes or simply getting ideas to make your own. Here are a few ideas for easy yet delicious lunches you can make:
- Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap – Salad wraps are delicious, healthful, and easy to make. Plus, you can always add your own twist. For a chicken Caesar wrap, you can keep it simple. Buy your favorite Caesar dressing and frozen chicken. You can also opt for fresh chicken then cut it into cutlets, season it with a little salt and pepper, and cook it in olive oil. Either way, after you cook the chicken, cut it into strips. Toss the chicken, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and anything else you desire in a bowl with the dressing. Then scoop it into a pita or roll it up in a wrap, or just bring it as a salad. Easy and delicious!
- Tuna or Egg Salad Sandwich – Tuna or egg salad has to be the easiest thing to make for lunch. Add mayonnaise and pickle relish to the tuna or chopped hard boiled egg, and voila! You’ve got a high-protein mix to add to bread… or save the carbs and eat it on a bed of lettuce.
- Pasta Salad – For a pasta salad, cook up your favorite style of pasta and mix it with balsamic or Italian. Add in veggies, pre-cooked meat or deli meat, and salt/pepper/herbs to taste. Feta cheese is also delicious on pasta salad – maybe a few bacon bits, too.
Leftovers
Don’t forget about leftovers from dinner the night before. They always make for an easy lunch, especially pasta or pizza. Also, you’ll be saving food from going to waste and saving money.
Packing your own brown-bag lunch more often than not each week can really cut down on your spending. It might even help you save up more money to go out to dinner on a weekend night and enjoy a night out. If you’re looking to scale down your spending habits, this is a great way to do so. Don’t forget to pack healthy morning and afternoon snacks to keep you energized, such as roasted almonds, granola bars, or yogurt and fresh fruit.
