my frugal meal at work

**sinopa27** · 07-28-2011, 12:33 AM

I waste so much money buying food to eat while at work. Working nights in the Emergency Room, we rarely get a lunch. So, we order all this food and then we don't get to eat it when we want, its cold and I am tired of this being the norm. So, the new me brought lunch. 2 PB&J sandwiches and broccoli (from the garden.) I am drinking water....free from our ice/water machine. My coworkers ordered food and we are so busy that their food is sitting on the table.....cold. I have really saved myself some $$$$$
Thank you FV family!!

**jas** · 07-28-2011, 12:38 AM

You will for sure be saving money over the long term. You should stash it away for a special treat or a nice dinner out that you can enjoy while you are relaxed and you can enjoy it while it is hot!

**sinopa27** · 07-28-2011, 01:51 AM

Thats a good idea. I know I would have spent at least $10 for that dinner. $10 to be saved. I have some changes to make and may not be able to save that right now separately, but I will write it down so I can have a visual of my savings!

**MaryCarney** · 07-28-2011, 05:09 AM

I hear you - I work nights in a PICU and the cafeteria is Deep Fried Paradise from 11p-3a AND it's a ten minute walk to get there. I measured my locker so I could find a lunchbox to fit inside - found a great one in the camping section at WalMArt.
I have lost 14# on Weight Watchers, and my motivation is to stay far, far away from the deep fryer, but the $$ savings is also a plus!

**Nada.Leona** · 07-28-2011, 07:24 AM

Start watching at yard sales for a decent thermos. Then you can take hot soups with you! A tomato soup and cheese sandwich is a great easy meal! Burritos, stuffed pitas, etc. are great and easy to eat cold as well.

How about popcorn, already popped? Homemade trail mix? Fruit too! There are so many creative things you can take in a cold paper lunch that cost almost nothing.

**MTS04** · 07-28-2011, 08:12 AM

A quick take along, especially if you work overnights: 1/2 cup of whole oats (place it in a zippy bag or container) in a wide mouth thermos, put a 1/2 cup of milk. When you start getting hungry, add the oats to the milk, stir and let it sit. In about 10 minutes, the oats will have absorbed some of the milk and start to become chewy.
The oats retain their chewyness for about 1-2 hours, so if you have to stop and start eating, this becomes the perfect meal.

If you use steel cut oats, combine both milk and oats in a thermos before you leave for work. Steel cut take a few hours to get to the chewy stage.

Add in ideas for your no cook oatmeal:
a handful or raisins or craisins and cinnamon
chopped almonds and flax
brown sugar and cinnamon
chopped dates
dried fruit
a teaspoon or so of fruit jam
for a protein boost - a 1/2 to full scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
Sliced banana or chopped apple

**tervsforme** · 07-28-2011, 08:31 AM

Great job! I love PB&J! One of my co-workers and I bring our lunches 4 days a week, we both have noticed a huge difference in our budget, waistlines and health in general. We do go out to eat once a week, but someplace fairly healthy and inexpensive. There is a middle eastern restaurant that is our favorite. A pita sandwich there is $4.75 and it is 2 meals for me, so I don't feel too bad when we do go out.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-28-2011, 09:13 AM

Good for you! So much healthier and save a ton of money!

**vigilant20** · 07-28-2011, 09:29 AM

That is awesome! This is one of my downfalls as well. It's hard working in places that have cafeterias.

**Spirit Deer** · 07-28-2011, 01:09 PM

My husband takes planned-overs to work. It's just the two of us, so I make enough for three for our suppers. We eat two meals, and he takes the third portion to work the next day for lunch.

I also 'bank' foods in the freezer for his lunches. He's eating better than when he was taking processed foods. I don't know that we're saving a lot of money. He never has bought lunches. But it's nice to know he's eating healthy food.

**wanderlusting** · 07-28-2011, 01:22 PM

WTG! I bet it's nice to have food just ready whenever you are able to get a few minutes to eat.

BTW- Thank you for the work you do. I can only imagine how hard you work each shift. I remember how busy the NICU nurses were when my boys were there- they ate the same way as you described. They ordered food and ate it cold whenever they got a few minutes.

**Ramona** · 07-28-2011, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Nada.Leona

Start watching at yard sales for a decent thermos. Then you can take hot soups with you! A tomato soup and cheese sandwich is a great easy meal! Burritos, stuffed pitas, etc. are great and easy to eat cold as well.

How about popcorn, already popped? Homemade trail mix? Fruit too! There are so many creative things you can take in a cold paper lunch that cost almost nothing.

You took the words right out of my mouth about a thermos

. If you have two of them, soup in one and homemade fruit salad in the other.

Nurses are angels on earth ♥

**MaryCarney** · 07-28-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by jennybethg

WTG! I bet it's nice to have food just ready whenever you are able to get a few minutes to eat.

BTW- Thank you for the work you do. I can only imagine how hard you work each shift. I remember how busy the NICU nurses were when my boys were there- they ate the same way as you described. They ordered food and ate it cold whenever they got a few minutes.

We actually have a theory - if you eat it cold, standing up and with a tongue depressor instead of a fork, it has fewer calories!!

**shoiji** · 07-29-2011, 08:22 PM

Great way to save money. I make a mix of peanuts and raisins and any other dried fruit I have. Then put in a small container and carry it with me. This way I always have a healthy snack.

**sinopa27** · 07-29-2011, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by jennybethg

WTG! I bet it's nice to have food just ready whenever you are able to get a few minutes to eat.

BTW- Thank you for the work you do. I can only imagine how hard you work each shift. I remember how busy the NICU nurses were when my boys were there- they ate the same way as you described. They ordered food and ate it cold whenever they got a few minutes.

thank you for saying thank you to me. That means the world to me!! Nurses have it rough and the Dr's get all the respect and attention.