Easy Financial Tips and Tools: Lost Cost Lunches: Eat at Work!

One of the main tips I see all the time about saving money is to bring your lunch and eat it at work. I couldn't agree more. Low cost lunches are easy to eat at work. But, I also know how hard it is to be disciplined enough to actually do it. So here is an idea that might help you out: Rotating Work Lunch Menu!

Here's how it works:

Find 4 other friends at work to join in your lunch crew.
Make a pact that each of you is going to provide lunch for the rest of the crew one day during the week.
On the Friday before, determine who brings lunch on which day and plan the menu. That way, everyone can have a say in the food choices.
Enjoy a different lunch each day while only having to prepare food for one.

This is a really simple concept, one that can be a lot of fun, and ultimately one that saves you money. Let's think about the potential cost savings here. On average, depending on where you live, I think it is safe to say that spending $8-$10 dollars each day on lunch is typical, which translates into $40-$50 per week. This, of course, does not include the cost of gas, time, and effort to leave work and go to the deli or restaurant for lunch. I can guarantee you, it will not cost you $40-$50 to prepare a lunch for 5 with a little thought and preparation.

Oh, so you don't think you can cook? Well, some of my favorite recipes are the simplest ones and work very well for lunches. And, if you do it right, you will impress the heck out of your coworkers and may even score some points with a coworker you might like to get to know a little better outside of work, if you get my drift. I have included a couple of very easy recipes and some ideas to get you started.

Deli Style Sandwiches. Buy at least two types of deli meats, i.e., turkey, ham, salami, chicken, and have it cut for sandwich slices. Cut any thinner and people will use more meat than they need to just because they can "pile it on." Buy a loaf of bread, some lettuce, tomatoes (salmonella free of course) and a bag of chips. For a healthier menu, buy some carrots and celery and cut them up yourself. Bring some mustard, mayo, and Ranch dressing. If you buy generic stuff and cut up all of the vegetables yourself for portion control, I bet you don't spend more than $25 and that is being liberal.
Pancetta and Turkey Meatloaf Sandwiches. What the heck? Yes, this will blow the socks off your coworkers, and it is really easy to make. You can find the recipe by Giada De Laurentiis by clicking here. Again, I bet you don't pay more than $25 for everything. I would add a bag of salad and throw in a bottle of your favorite dressing (or make your own balsamic vinaigrette -- again, very easy to do).
Anything you can throw in a crock pot. Things like beef stew, goulash, or some sort of noddle dish are easy and inexpensive. There are a lot of good, healthy, and simple recipes in Bill Phillips' Eating for Life book.
Bring your favorite restaurant food without the cost. A friend of mine insisted on bringing some Macaroni Grill pasta dish. I tell you, he had bought this book and tried out the "restaurant" recipe, and it was terrific. And he did it all for less than $30.