Bringing your lunch to work every day is one of the easiest ways to save money and control your diet (trust me, you don’t want Sal at the local deli making your hero sandwich). So, when the Canadian, frugal living, blogger SaverQueen asked me to do a guest blog post for SaverQueen.com, a make your own lunch entry came immediately to mind!
Here’s an excerpt from the guest post (make sure to click through to Saverqueen.com to read the rest of the article):
I’ve been “bringing my lunch to work” since I was 5. The habit started in Kindergarten when my mother used to pack my chicken cutlet sandwiches for me; now, 27 years later, I’m still packing my own lunch and bringing it to work – the only difference is that I have to do it myself (Mom, if you’re reading, please feel free to whip up a few sandwiches)!
Packing your own lunch has many benefits and not just the obvious money saving advantages, consider the following before purchasing your lunch at your corporate cafeteria or local pizzeria:
1. You can control calories, fat, salt (nutritional content) if you bring your lunch.
2. You can choose the quality of ingredients by making lunch at home.
3. You can control portion size, if you pack your own lunch.
4. You can control the flavor and spices of your lunch (in other words, you can make it just like you want it).
5. You’re helping the environment by not eating off paper plates, plastic forks/spoons, Styrofoam cups, etc. (if you use re-usable containers and lunch bags).
Great post! I became a SAHM 1 1/2 years ago, but before that I always took my lunch from home. Now I pack my husband’s lunch every evening. It usually consists of dinner leftovers, and it’s so easy to throw together as I’m cleaning up the kitchen. He tells me his co-workers are often envious of his lunches.
As a back-up, I always have containers of homemade soup in the freezer that I can pull out, and put together with a sandwich or salad in a pinch.
He leaves for work really early, so I include breakfast as well. Usually yogurt, a few pieces of fruit, a granola or cereal bar, hard boiled eggs, or a homemade breakfast sandwich or burrito.
He works in health care, and there are so many people who purchase 2 meals per day at the hospital, for the cost of $5-$10 per meal. That’s insane to me, and not so healthy either.
Save money and lose weight + good for the environment. Seems like a win-win situation.
Hi Jen,
My co-workers tease me (read: are envious) as well! On the frozen soup front, I think French Onion and Lentil soups store well.
Your husband is lucky to have you!!
Vince
Hi Jim
Yes! I suppose the only reason to buy lunch out is for convenience and for change of pace every once in a while.
Best,
Vince
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