tips for frugal lunches?

**Sara Noel** · 06-26-2007, 09:56 PM

How do you save on the cost of lunches for school, work, or for home?

**Domestic Gal** · 06-26-2007, 10:36 PM

Make all that you can from scratch. Breads, meat spreads, cookies, brownies, rice crispies treats. Use reuseable containers. Use ice packs to keep stuff cold. Do not buy juice boxes send drinks in a reuseable container. Buy chips in bulk and repackage yourself.

**freyadog** · 06-26-2007, 11:03 PM

I agree with Debra. Also my dh pours about an inch of drink into a used clean drink bottle and then puts it in the freezer. Just before he leaves for work he takes it out and finishes filling it up with drink. When he has his breaks and lunch the frozen part has started to melt but the drink is still good and cold. Instead of those things you put in the freezer to freeze to keep things cold in your lunch he uses another drink bottle filled with water. That way his lunch foods stay cold and also if he runs out of the frozen drinks he has packed he always has another bottle of water.

Barbara

**joyofsix** · 06-27-2007, 07:55 AM

My dh takes his lunch every day and the kids take theirs to school. I have found pre-making sandwiches on Sunday and sticking them in the freezer lets them just pull one out when they need it. I bought rubbermaid "juiceboxes" which the kids use. I also made yogurt tubes to freeze from snack baggies. Dh uses the trick with freezing a little in the bottle. I also invested in some nice stainless lunch size themoses for winter. They keep soup or a main dish hot until lunch. They were well worth the investment.

**lottaLove** · 06-27-2007, 08:15 AM

If there are no leftovers to eat for lunch, I bring a salad or small container of soup with me. This is in no way enough to keep me full all day, so I always load my lunch box up with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whenever possible, I try to keep a bit of the previous night's dinner ready to bring to work.

**Early Bird** · 06-27-2007, 10:35 AM

I try to keep DH's lunches from being boring.

The first way I do this is for me to pack his lunch. That way, it's a surprise.

And I freeze single-servings of leftovers. That way, even if there was leftover chicken, he gets beef stew in his lunch. Makes it more interesting.

**Mom23boys** · 06-27-2007, 11:15 AM

DH and I usually take leftovers for lunch. I drink water, so I don't worry about any extra cost for drinks. DH's work provides them gatorade and water.

The boys pack their own lunches. Usually of sandwiches, leftover pizza, mac and cheese, etc. I buy family size of snacks like animal crackers, etc. and repackage them into smaller ziploc baggies. They can grab a bag and add to their lunch. They have several different types of snacks to choose from. I also make sure they have fruit available to take as well. They usually take bottled water from home or get a gatorade at school for .50 cents.

**brenda67** · 06-27-2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by freyadog

I agree with Debra. Also my dh pours about an inch of drink into a used clean drink bottle and then puts it in the freezer. Just before he leaves for work he takes it out and finishes filling it up with drink. When he has his breaks and lunch the frozen part has started to melt but the drink is still good and cold. Instead of those things you put in the freezer to freeze to keep things cold in your lunch he uses another drink bottle filled with water. That way his lunch foods stay cold and also if he runs out of the frozen drinks he has packed he always has another bottle of water.

Barbara

I must say you have a smart hubby..LOL..

**sunshine** · 06-27-2007, 06:21 PM

I buy large roasts, turkey breasts, ham and chicken when they are on sale. I cook them up and slice them myself for deli style lunch meats. I can flavor them in various ways when I cook them -- to suit our tastes.

I pack leftovers into divided plates (purchased years ago at the Dollar Store) and freeze them. That way I always have my own version of a TV dinner on hand, and I don't have to eat leftovers for a week straight.

Almost anything tastes good in a "wrap" with ranch dressing

**kittykatstrong** · 06-28-2007, 11:24 AM

I love leftovers for lunch. If I don't have any then I make a sandwich and have a veg. of some sort.

Katy

**cheriede** · 06-28-2007, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Domestic Gal

Make all that you can from scratch. Breads, meat spreads, cookies, brownies, rice crispies treats. Use reuseable containers. Use ice packs to keep stuff cold. Do not buy juice boxes send drinks in a reuseable container. Buy chips in bulk and repackage yourself.

I totally agree with you about using the reuseable containers. In May, I stopped buying juice pouches altogether. I have been making lunches for my children for the past few years and it has taken me this long to figure it out.

**MarshHen** · 06-29-2007, 01:09 PM

I always cook enough for dinner so we have enough for lunches the next day. DH and DD would rather have homecooked over take out or school food anyday. DH has a fridge at work to keep his lunch and water, and DD's school has microwave's so she can heat her lunch. DD takes bottled water to drink and she prefers to drink it room temp.. DD and I are eating a meatball subs right now using leftovers from the freezer, LOL. DH took the leftover fish from last night for his lunch. We refill water bottles to freeze for coldpacks too.