If you’re feeling overwhelmed by rising costs and wondering how to make your paycheck stretch further, bringing your lunch to work could be the easiest step you can take today to save hundreds of dollars. We often feel pressured to keep up with work colleagues who go out to lunch, but did you know that skipping those meals out could save you over $2,100 a year?
Cost Comparison: Eating Out vs. Bringing Your Lunch
Eating Out:
On average, lunch costs $12/day when eating out.
5 days a week = $60/week
48 weeks in a year (after accounting for vacation and stat holidays) = $2,880/year
Bringing Your Lunch:
Bringing your lunch costs $3/day on average.
5 days a week = $15/week
48 weeks in a year = $720/year
Savings:
By bringing your lunch to work instead of eating out, you could save $2,160 a year. That’s a 75% savings!
My Journey to Saving Money on Lunch
When I got my first job in Toronto, I was excited to be part of the office culture. I quickly fell into the habit of eating lunch out with my coworkers every day. It felt like a way to bond, and it was a break from work. But I had no idea how much it was really costing me. Every day, I’d spend about $12 on lunch, and before I knew it, that habit added up to over $2,000 a year.
One day, like my mother always told me to do, I sat down and created a budget. That’s when I realized how much money I was wasting on eating out. While I loved my coworkers, I didn’t like them enough to spend that much just to eat lunch with them. So, I decided to make a change.
I started bringing my lunch and eating with them in the food court instead. Soon, we were all eating in the lunchroom more often, sharing recipes, and swapping dinner ideas that made for great leftovers. Not only did this save me a significant amount of money, but it also brought us closer as a team. By bringing my lunch, I felt healthier, more in control of my finances, and even got to share some delicious meals with my coworkers.
Make It Easy: Tips for Bringing Lunch to Work
Of course, it’s easy to say, “Just take your lunch to work,” but it can be much harder in practice. Eating out with your co-workers is often a part of social life, and meal prep can seem like a hassle. However, with the right approach, bringing lunch can be simple and stress-free.
Co-workers
If you often eat with your co-workers, try encouraging them to eat in a place where you can bring your own food. Some options include:
- The lunchroom at work
- A nearby park
- A food court
If they prefer to go out, you can still join them once a week as a special treat while saving the rest of the week.
Meal Prep for Success:
Planning your lunches ahead of time is key to success. Choose meals you’re excited about so you’re not tempted to buy lunch instead. Here are a few meal prep ideas:
- Leftovers: Leftovers from dinner or the previous day’s meals are an easy go-to. For example, pulled pork or grilled chicken can be used in sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
- Cook in Bulk: Make a large batch of meals on the weekend, such as chicken pot pie or pasta salads, that can last throughout the week.
- Repurpose Leftovers: Transform one meal into something completely new, like turning leftover chicken into chicken tacos, chicken Caesar salad, or even chicken pot pie.
The more you plan, the easier it will be to stick to your goal of saving money. Plus, when your co-workers see what awesome food you have, they may just join you in bringing their own lunch!
Overcoming Meal Prep Obstacles
Many people feel that meal prepping takes too much time or effort. The key is to start small and build habits over time. Try prepping just 2-3 meals for the week instead of planning for all 5 days. Once you get comfortable, you can gradually increase the number of meals. You can also invest in time-saving tools, such as a slow cooker or instant pot, to help prepare meals quickly and efficiently.
Look up some influencers for meal prepping to get some ideas, look around for someone who makes the types of meals that you like. There are a lot of different influencers so you’ll be able to find someone who can help.
Conclusion: Start Saving Today
Bringing your lunch to work is an easy way to save over $2,100 a year. With a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy new, exciting meals every day without the high cost of eating out. Ready to start saving? Make a plan, get organized, and take your lunch to work today!
Join the Conversation!
Have you made the switch to packing lunch instead of eating out? Share your favorite lunch ideas or tips for meal prepping in the comments below! Or, tag us on social media and show us what delicious meals you’re bringing to work. Let’s inspire each other to save and eat healthier together!
Looking for More Ways to Save?
Saving money doesn’t have to be hard! Check out our post on the Top 10 Ways to Cut Expenses for more practical tips on how to make the most of your budget.
Good article, I liked it
Not a bad surprise
Well written.