Why it works
Buying lunch every working day adds up fast. At $12 a day, that is $240 over 20 working days; a lunch made at home often costs a fraction of that. Use the meal cost calculator to price yours.
The rules
- Bring lunch from home every working day.
- Coffee and snacks count too if you want the full effect.
- One planned lunch out with colleagues is fine; put it in the plan.
The plan
- SundayCook a big batch: grain, protein and roast vegetables for three lunches.
- MidweekCook a second batch, or plan leftovers from dinner.
- Each dayTick the day and note what you would have spent.
Your tracker
Tick off each day
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Tips
- Cook extra at dinner and pack it straight away.
- A good container and a small bottle of dressing make lunch feel less like a sacrifice.
- Keep a few emergency lunches at work: oats, a tin of soup, noodles.
If you slip
Forgot your lunch? Buy the cheapest decent option and carry on.
When you finish
Work out your monthly difference and decide what to do with it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does packing lunch save?
It depends on what you would have bought. At $12 a day bought versus $3 a day home-made, it is $180 over 20 working days.
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