Lunch is a great meal. It's right in the middle of the day and can be just about anything that you want it to be. Many people are find out that this wonderful meal can also be one of the most costly meals of the day. As a result, family budgets are getting stretched out of proportion during this economy crisis.
Most people don't have $10 to spend for a daily lunch when their budget's are already being pulled and twisted. In this tough times, it's time to go back to basics...the infamous brown bag! Here are a few ways that you can save on lunch with the working world's long time "friend", the brown bag lunch:
Create delicious sandwiches with items that you buy for cheap from your local supermarket. Check the produce section for marked down veggies or salad mixes that you can add to a basic sandwich lunch. Select meats for your lunch that you can buy on sale or with coupons. You could even spice things up with an old favorite, PBJ sandwich. It's cheap and, after all of these years, it still tastes yummy!
Discount bread is the way to go when it comes to making a good sandwich. Always make a point of canvassing the bakery in your local supermarket for deals on those specialty breads. Get cool breads like Focaccia and baguettes for pennies on the dollar sometimes. That $5 loaf of bread may be marked all the way down to a measly 50-cents! Stores will do this to sell off their stock instead of having to bin it. Let their mark downs work for your family's saving. Cost-conscious people can really rack up!
Leftovers make fabulous lunches! You would be surprised what you can freeze and save for lunch. Just buy for cheap some of those little bowls and containers that go from freezer to microwave. Then, fill them with things that you eat for dinner and freeze. When you are ready to enjoy them, just take them out and pop them in the microwave for a great lunch treat.
Make pasta your lunchtime specialty. You can usually buy for cheap pasta by using coupons and maxing out the savings by catching a store sale. The great thing about pasta is that it can be eaten hot or cold, as a cold salad with vegetables or served hot with sauces. It's also very versatile and filling, and if you don't load it down with meat and cheese, it can be fairly healthy for you. But, above all it's inexpensive. Buy for cheap a pound of pasta for about 70-cents or get it practically free with coupons. Use it as you need it. No need to make it all at one time.
Plan your lunch over a period of time for saving, cost-cutting, and stretching your money. This is a strategy that you can't afford not to use. This is how you will save...not only will you be able to incorporate home cooked meals into your lunch plans, but if you plan to have dinner with a business associate or for an upcoming event, you can plan to save a portion of your meal. Just ask for a carry-out container and there you have it...another day's meal!
Don't let your lunch cause you a big financial problem during this economy crisis. It's supposed to be your little daily time to relax. You can enjoy fabulous brown bag lunches to keep costs down for your family. Plus, another great benefit for brown bagging your lunch is that you can get a good handle on what you're actually eating! Now, that's food for thought and a good, healthy budget.
About the Author:
As a wel-known consultant on saving money in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free copy of her Ebook '15 Top Ways to Save Money' by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com website. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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