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Working outside of the home has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is the cost of eating out. If you spend $6 a day on eating out, that means you’ll spend $30 or more each week. You could also pack your own lunch and save money.

One of the simplest ways to pack your own lunch is to take leftovers from the night before. You’ve already paid for the meal; it’s already packed and ready when you leave. By packing up your leftovers and eating those instead of eating out, you can save around $1,500 a year.

Perhaps you didn’t have leftovers because the meal was so good. You can still fix a lunch the night before and pack it so all you have to do is grab it and go. Again, the potential for saving money is amazing.

What are some other ideas for packing your own lunch?

* Variety is important. No one wants to eat the same boring lunch day in and day out. Plan out your lunches in advance so you can enjoy something different each day.

* Place items in microwaveable containers which you can freeze or refrigerate. Most soups, chili, or casseroles often taste better the second day. Add some fresh veggie sticks or crackers and you’ve got a great lunch for less money.

* Think of new combinations for sandwiches. You don’t have to buy processed luncheon meat. Use leftover meatloaf to make a hearty sandwich. Be sure to add condiments just before you eat so your sandwich doesn’t become soggy and inedible.

* Try spreading cream cheese over a flour tortilla and then adding grated or chopped vegetables. Wrap the tortilla up and you have a healthy alternative to hamburgers.

* Salads are another option when you pack your own lunch. You can choose a tossed salad, but you could also pack pasta salads, tuna salads, or potato salads to enjoy.

Another great thing about packing your own lunch is that you’re in control of what and how much you’re eating. You know the ingredients in what you’ve packed, and you can choose to include more healthful items.

Plan ahead what you would like for the week. Make a shopping list to include ingredients for each meal, then with shopping list in hand, go to the store. If there’s a store that offers bulk items, you can save quite a bit of money buying in bulk. If you plan your meals right, you could purchase some items for your lunch once a month rather than spending money each day at a restaurant.

You can save more than money when you take a lunch from home. Depending on how much planning you do, you can prepare lunches for a whole week and place them in the refrigerator. Take out the bag for each day and your morning activities prior to leaving are reduced.

When you pack your own lunch and save money, you’re doing more than improving your financial standing. You will also have the ability to improve your health. It’s a win-win situation and you have control over it.

Cosmopolitan Insulated Lunch Tote

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