Work lunches can get expensive quickly, but there are some easy ways to slash your lunch budget. From Save, here are some cheap lunch ideas for work!
It's pretty amazing how easily you can spend a whole lot of money on lunch at work. Fortunately, there are some practical (and EASY) ways to save money on work lunches. Sure, you could pack a turkey sandwich every day, but where’s the fun in that? Here are a few cheap lunch ideas for work that won’t make you feel like you’re sacrificing.
Workweek lunches can be a snap if you do some meal planning and cooking on the weekend. Think of a few versatile items that you can use several different ways for lunches (and maybe dinners too!) and buy them all in one shopping trip. These might include things like cheese, eggs, fresh veggies, and canned meat such as tuna. When you get home, go ahead and prepare a week’s worth of items—wash and cut up the vegetables, hard boil the eggs, etc.
Every night, decide what you want for lunch the next day, and go ahead and pack it up. You’ll be more likely to actually take (and eat) a tasty meal that’s already bagged and ready to go out the door.
If you like the ritual of going out to lunch, consider packing part of your meal and buying the rest. For example, you might take a bagged lunch to the park and then stop for ice cream on your way back to the office. Or if there’s a gourmet store nearby, pick out a fresh baguette or a small container of hummus and take it to the park with your packed lunch.
Even if you don’t want to bring any components of your lunch, you can still save money by making sure you don’t arrive at a restaurant starving. Keep some proteins and carbs at your desk, such as cheese and crackers, nuts, or trail mix. Eat a bit mid-morning, and you’ll be less likely to over-order at lunchtime. Also make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, as our bodies sometimes mistake dehydration for hunger.
It’s pretty easy to find special discounts for all sorts of restaurants, from fast food to fine dining. If there are a few places you regularly go, visit their websites. You might get a loyalty card or a few coupons if you sign up with your email address. Also look for special discount hours…you might get 10% or 15% off just for dining at a less popular time.
Cutting your work lunch budget doesn’t mean your meals have to be boring. With the Save mailer, you’ll receive weekly coupons for restaurants and groceries, as well as all the other everyday essentials you love. Be sure to check your weekly Save mailer for savings on some of the best work lunch ideas!
