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You’re in the office and your tummy starts grumbling. You have many options for lunch but which one is best for your wallet? Options include eating out, brown bagging and re-heating a frozen entree.
Eating Out
Pros: This option is convenient and depending on where you work, you have an array of foods at your fingertips. There is no need to pack a lunch the night before or wake up extra early to prepare something. Eating out with coworkers can be a bonding experience and if you can chose the eatery, you can make sure you have an Entertainment Book coupon. Cons: This can quickly become an expensive habit if you don’t find deals for eating out. If you stick to dollar menus to minimize the cost, your waistline and health may take a toll. Cost: $10 per meal x 5 days a week = $50 per week
Brown Bagging
Pros: Keep an eye on your wallet and your waistline with this option. Brown Bagging can be more environmental if you use a reusable lunch bag, bring utensils from home instead of using disposables and pack a reusable water bottle. Being your own chef allows creative meal planning, especially if you use a multi-compartment easy lunch box. Re-heat dinner leftovers for a tasty meal. You can eat quickly at your desk or find a nearby park. Brown Bagging is nearly as fun as eating out with a favorite co-worker. Cons: It gets boring fast if you stick to the same meals and requires advance planning. Cost: $2.60 for a sandwich + .40 for baby carrots or fruit slices = $3 x 5 days a week = $15
Frozen Entrees
Pros: Prepackaged foods are very convenient and easy to grab on your way out the door in the morning when you’re in a hurry. You can stock up when they go on sale and keep them for weeks in the freezer. You can eat quickly at your desk. TV dinners used to have a bad rap for being unhealthy but there are now healthy options. Cons: Many TV dinner are loaded with salt and lack fiber and vitamins, taking a toll on your health over time. Portions are often so small you head to the candy machine for an afternoon snack. Cost: The entrees cost around $5 and sometimes cheaper when you can find coupons. $5 x 5 days a week = $25
Eating out costs significantly more than brown bagging or relying on frozen meals, but also takes a lot more time. What’s your frugal lunchtime option?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
On the frozen meals, let’s go for $5 x 5 days = $25 (not $15). Just a thought.
I eat meals out only occasionally, as that makes them seem more special, plus it saves money. During the summer when there are so many lucious fruits available, I like to prepare a couple that I can easily transport in a reusable container, along with string cheese or one of the Laughing Cow choices, and Wheat Thins or Triscuits, for a quick, easy, tasty nutritious lunch. Water from a reusable bottle, kept in the fridge with a squeeze of fresh lemon, completes the meal.
Frozen entrees: $5 X 5days per week = $25.
Brown bagging lunch gives me the most options… eat in the office, eat out at a park, eat at my desk or eat with a friend, It really isn’t too hard to plan ahead for a yummy lunch.
I know a lady who used to hunt out “Lincoln” lunches. They were very adequate, good lunches for no more than $5.00.
Unfortunately, she stopped that activity.
@Margaret Those were the days! I loved hunting down “Lincoln Lunches” at the LA Daily News. Unfortunately, when I left the paper to work for myself that part of the job got cut. I’d love to revive the task. 🙂
EllieD, that sounds tasty! I’ll have to remember that idea when I go back to work and start brown bagging it again.
Yazmin, the frozen entree total for the week should be $25 ($5 x 5 days = $25). Sorry, but I can’t help but notice these things – I’m such a nerd!
@EllieD You always have really great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Oops… typo. Thanks ladies for catching the mistake. Glad to know you guys are closely reading the post.
Thanks, Yazmin. That’s ’cause I spent a lot of years having to watch expenses closely. As a teacher, married with 3 sons, costs can climb rapidly! And thanks to N. Davis for the kind compliment. I’ll try to remember to share more ideas in the future.
As for the Lincoln Lunches… If we all keep our eyes and ears open and come across any bargains like that, we can share with everyone… kind of like being stringers for BB!
My typical lunch at work is a frozen low-cal entree (Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice for example). There are quite a few varieties, so boredom isn’t a problem, and lately they have been on sale for under $2, even without coupons! With coupons, what a great double-play! We check the sodium content and don’t buy selections with an overload of that or calories. However, the quantity of food may be wanting, so I always have a plain water bagel, kept frozen at home, which I nuke at work. I really enjoy that as if it were a tasty dessert! Go figure! I buy the bagels by the dozen (and usually get two extra freebies) at a bagel store and freeze them, taking one out each day.
When I read EllieD’s first comment, I thought that wouldn’t work for me because I have a pretty good appetite (work out a lot), and that didn’t sound filling enough. Also, I don’t know how many calories are in the two types of cheese she mentioned and also wondered about the salt content in both the cheese(s) and the crackers.
@Diane: I, too, have a good appetite, and must watch both my sodium and fat intake. String cheese is mozzarella, which is made with skim milk, and is low in sodium. Ditto for the Laughing Cow cheeses, if you buy the ‘light’ ones. The latter cheeses were recommended by a cardiologist. The crackers now come in reduced sodium varieties, are low in sugars, and have good fiber content compared to other crackers. When you eat slowly, drink water with your lunch, and have fruit for dessert, it’s surprising how full you fill. I also include sliced tomatoes from my garden when they’re in season, which adds more bulk as well as nutrition. Hope that answers your concerns, which I totally understand.