How to cut costs on lunch at work
When you work a typical job, such as a 9-5 job, you have to eat a meal while you are at work. Most people have a lunch break during their day, to eat and relax before returning to work. This lunch break can be expensive, or not.
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To cut the costs on lunch at work, try the following:
- Pack a lunch. This is the number one way to save money on lunch at work.
Most people work five days a week. If you were to eat out at a fast food place every day for lunch, that would cost you anywhere from $25-$50 a week on average. This is for a typical combo meal. However, to pack yourself a lunch, whether it consists of leftovers you heat in the work microwave, or a sandwich, chips, drink, etc. usually costs less than $10 a week. Even if you put good stuff in your lunch, you can eat for under $15 a week. In addition to that, you do not need to drive anywhere, so you save money on gas, and wear and tear on your car. So, just by packing your own lunch and taking it into the office with you, you can save an average of $60-$100+ a month, which can be put into your cash reserve without hampering your lifestyle too much.
If you really love to eat your lunch out, you can plan to eat out on Fridays, so that you are not depriving yourself of something you really enjoy. You will still be able to save $40 or more a month. In the long run, is that hamburger from McDonald's going to be that much better than reheating the lasagna you had the night before? Is the satisfaction of eating out going to outweigh the satisfaction of having a cash reserve?
- Have a plan. Knowing your plan for lunch at work will save you money.
If you are in a rush in the morning, and get to work without a lunch plan, then when someone says, "Hey we are heading here for lunch, does anyone want anything?" You are more likely to respond with a "yes." This usually results in spending far more than you typically would have on lunch. So, always have a plan for lunch, and stick to it. A plan keeps you from impulsive spending on lunch. For example, let's say you usually go home for lunch because you live close to your office. In order to make sure you do that, rather than go to a restaurant, have something else planned that you have to do at home during the same time. Maybe feed your cat, or walk your dog, or change over some laundry, etc. A definitive idea of what you are going to do for lunch helps you to not spend.
- Keep some snacks at the office. This is a great way to avoid the urge to order delivery, or have a co-worker pick something up for you.
In every office, at lunch hour, there is someone who is willing to go out and pick up food, and if you want to avoid the impulse to "just buy lunch." Do not allow yourself to get so hungry that you can't say "no." Keeping a bag of trail mix, a few things of popcorn, some nuts, dried fruit, etc. on hand for when you get a little hungry will keep you from hitting up the vending machines, or the "lunch mule." It allows you to be satisfied with the lunch you brought from home, and saves you money that can then be put in your cash reserve.
