The Clever Dudette (found via Lifehacker) calculated you can save $988 per year by packing a lunch instead of going out to eat for lunch during the work week. They are absolutely right – you can save a fortune by packing your lunch. When I actually went to work, I brought my own lunch – and every true “Wealth Junkie” will think I’m a “Master of the Obvious” by posting this.
There can be quite a spread in those numbers they mentioned so by bringing your lunch to work you could actually save even more. For example, when I was in Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, I knew guys that went out to eat pretty much every day – and they usually went to restaurants like TGI Fridays since they were all just down the road from where we were. It is hard to not spend at least $10-15 on a lunch if you go to a restaurant, unless you drink water and keep your entree price under about $7.
If you don’t feel like making a sandwich for yourself every day, you can always stock your freezer with frozen entrees like those made by Health Choice, etc. They are usually in the $3-$4 range per meal and you can usually find one brand on sale for less.
You can also go the “El Cheapo Xtreme” route and buy frozen burritos for about 33 cents each at most grocery stores. It will boost your savings even more. Instead of spending $11 per week on your lunch you could spend less than $2!
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February 28th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Ah, but does that burrito provide as many nutrients as a sandwich, fruit, and veggie would? See, the dietitian in me comes out (it’s not only about cost for me, I’m afraid!).
Thanks for the positive reference!
February 28th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Haha, you’re right, dudette – no 33 cent burrito could provide the nutritional value of a meal that costs a dollar or more.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I’ve been telling myself this for years!!! I’ve finally got some authority to back it up, and it’s actually more money than I thought. Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be saving yourself the extra pounds you’d pack on by eating out all the time instead of making yourself a tasty turkey sandwich. By the way, those little burritos are amazing. Please don’t hate on them. Great post, keep up the good practical advice.
April 18th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I either bring my lunch or get lunch from WORK (no cost)
June 21st, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I believe it. The cost of eating out has risen like the price of gas. Now that I home office I save a ton on eating out and fuel. That’s the ticket.