Brown bag it! Save money, bring your lunch to work.

You've heard it before, that you save money by preparing and bringing your own homemade lunch rather than driving to the deli, or even local fast-food joint on your lunchbreak. The five or six bucks (or more!) may not see like a big deal, but c'mon guys that adds up. Even if you spent only five dollars a day, that would add up to $25.00 for the whole work week! Save by brown-bagging it, and you'll reap both health and financial benefits. 

The breakdown (all prices are before taxes)

Meal from local sandwidh place                                                                                                                               

6 inch turkey sub sandwich, on wheat. - $3.49

Add cheese - $0.30

Cup of soup, small serving - $1.50

Refillable fountain drink- $1.69

TOTAL $6.98

Feeds you for: 1 day

COST PER DAY: $6.98          

Meal made from home

Loaf of wheat bread, store brand ($1.00)

Package oven-roasted turkey, store brand ($3.50)

1 package cheese, store brand ($2.50)

3 cans tomato soup, store brand($3.00)

12 pack name-brand soda ($4.00)

TOTAL   $14.00

Feeds you for: 5 workdays, plus some left over

COST PER DAY:  Just under $3

In the second chart, the cost per day was less than half of eating out, and you'd have plenty of leftover items, like 7 sodas for the fridge! The homemade meal was cheaper to the one found at the deli, but it was very similar (Turkey and cheese on wheat, soup, and a soda.) Just imagine how fast your savings could build up just by bringing your food to work.

Some cheap meal ideas

1. Prepare pasta at home the day before, and simply zap in in the breakroom.
2. Leftovers, whether they are from home or the restaurant.
3. Microwave dinners! Believe it or not, some pretty tasty. These are typically priced between one and three dollars.
4. Soup from a deli costs you around 5 dollars for a large serving. Buy a quality store-bought soup for only two to three dollars for the same taste.
5. Talk your co-workers into a weekly pot-luck lunch. You'll get a little variety, but won't spend much more than your daily lunch.

Other Tips

1. When preparing meals, portion it out so you will have enough left for work the next day.
2. Always ask for a to-go box at restaurants.
3. Invest in some reusable, plastic containers. Bonus for being earth-friendly
4. Prepare your lunch the night before to avoiding "forgetting"
5. Pack a simple, healthy snack like an apple to avoid eating all your lunch at your desk before breaktime.
6. Encourage others in your household to do the same. Share tips and tricks with each other.
7. To keep from getting bored, allow yourself one "splurge" day a week. Be sure to keep the price small, though. Try places with daily lunch specials.

Also check out this nifty Lunch Savings Calculator.