When it comes to lunch, do you brown bag it, or get take out?
Tonight, join a live chat from 8-9:30PM ET to discuss the benefits of both.
Tell us…
- Do you brown bag or buy a lunch for your kids?
- Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them?
- What types of food do you make?
- Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy?
- Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?)
- How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out?
- What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1?
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Comments: 277
Do you brown bag or buy a lunch for your kids? I used to pack their lunches.. but then found out they qualified for free lunch..that just happened a few weeks back
Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? I don't work
What types of food do you make? I make lunch meat sandwiches..
Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy? brown bag.. because you can choose granola bars, healthy sandwiches..fruit
Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?) bought lunch
How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out? like 2.00 for brown bag
What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1? buy stuff that has more in the package..store brands
# Do you brown bag or buy a lunch for your kids? Always brown bag
# Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? Typically, I made them at home.
# What types of food do you make? Sandwiches, roll-ups or a cold salad w/ meat
# Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy?
I do think brown bagging is healthier if you put thought into it and that would be by adding a healthy snack of fruit or veggie sticks.
# Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?) I think homemade would be healthier and more satisfying, especially if you plan a little snack that can be used immediately or later on when temptation strikes.
# How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out? I can put together a nice lunch for about $3. and I don't think you can find too much that would cost less than that.
# What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1 Deli meat & Cheese on a flatbread or pita or roll up and maybe a few carrot sticks or baby carrots and a small container of dressing or a fruit cup can be done for $3. or less if you're a really good shopper.
Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? Technically, I make them ( but I do buy prebuy them...LOL....sorry had to, one of those days)
What types of food do you make?
I prefer simple food, tuna, cheese,crackers, fruit, yogurt, but I do use leftovers or make salads. I have slowly learned to reduce portions and eat a bit more frequently...so that sorta blows the snack thing...that is about what I do untill supper. During the summer months I also make up medium freezable containers of tea and lemonaide that serve as a very refreshing cold drink and also act as refridgeration. I believe it has helped me drop and control my weight( somewhat I am still a big girl just not as big) I DO however enjoy chocolate and such so I often buy bags of candy when they go on sale after holidays and treat myself.
Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy?
Most of the time I would say brown bag, I can control the portions and what is in the food I eat...but I have been known to pack a pretty heavy lunch full of goodies...HA... I do ocassionally treat myself to a day off from packing and buy lunch...but usually I am rushed and often disappointed with what I buy...
Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?)
I am one who does not see the harm in snacking...depending on what you snack on...my lunches usually satisfy me more when I pack them....when I buy Iusually end up pulling the bread off something or the excessive cheese...
How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out?
This is my big thing...it is nearly impossible to satisfy my hunger nutritiously at work without spending at least 4 dollars a day. I see many people grab a bag of chips a candy bar and a pop and call it lunch...I cannot do that..
what I brown bag...the cost totally depends on what I have purchased and how I portion it out...I think I have figured it out a couple of times at an average of 2.50.
What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1?
Buying bulk of course...when I do...I figure it out over 2 weeks instead of 1 so I dont get bored with my lunches...
Using leftovers helps, cause then your lunch figures into your gorcery bill and stretches your lunch budget...
LESS than a DOLLAR...I DONT KNOW...everything better be on sale ...I dont think I have ever made a lunch under a dollar....and definately never bought one that cheap( I think I would be scaed to eat it...LOL)
I will be back later for the chat....but I had to think about this....good topic...well for me
Hubby always takes his lunch to work, I always make it for him. Usually just leftovers from the night before, or a hot pocket or something like that. He has been trying to lose weight though so lately it has just been a slimfast shake.
I almost always "brown bag" it. Mostly I bring one of my veggie dishes, some oatmeal, milk, and fruit. All of these cost me only pennies, pretty much. I am pretty strict with my diet and no restaurant near where I work carries the exact type of food I need for the right price.
My tips are to buy frozen veggies and grains in bulk. And, to keep everything crisp and fresh and work, I use reusable containers.
* Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? Since I work from home, I get to have a homecooked lunch every day.
* What types of food do you make? I like sandwiches with soup or chips.
* Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? Brown bagging, no question.
How do you make it healthy? whole grains, fruits and veggies, juice to drink, whole grain crackers, baked chips
* Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?) a brown bag lunch is much more filling than any fast food
* How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? less than $5
How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out? around 10 plus a tip
* What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1? Make everything yourself!
I make my own bread and even my own potato chips. Next up, homemade crackers.
My biggest thought is that buying lunch out is like paying to work, and I don't want to work to buy lunch out. It is the same to me as costing me money to work. So I try very hard not to let this happen.
My meals at work are always going to be healthy. No candy, cookies, chips, or soft drinks. On occasion a cup of coffee yes.
I always have left over chicken or ham, so I make a little salad which is so much healthier and inexpensive, too. Can't wait for the garden to be planted in my area. Then I will always have fresh veggies to eat.
I love packing a salad, with dressing separate. I also pack string cheese, a banana, sometimes crackers with cream chesse and I like the milk I can take that doesn't need to be refrigerated.
My husband comes home for lunch an our lunches vary.
I think brown bagging it is healthier and less expensive.
I let Chandler choose day to day. We have the monthly school lunch list posted on the fridge. If it's something he doesn't like or something I don't think he should have, then we pack a lunch at home and send it on those days.
Stephy and I have a lunch date once a week, on that day we eat out. Every other day of the week, we make lunch at home!
Depends on what the school cafeteria is having. If Haley (my daughter) likes it, then she eats school food; if it's something she won't eat then she takes her lunchbox. I personally prefer when she eats school food. Eating a hot meal just makes me feel like she's getting something healthier and better than a sandwich and fruit from home.
**Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them?
Make them, except the occasional treat to McDonald's for my son who is still home with me.
**What types of food do you make?
Mac & cheese. Soups. Sandwiches.
**Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy?
I guess it would depend on where you eat if you're buying it. I imagine you could probably do better by packing your own lunch with healthy breads and cheese and fruit and water.
**Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?)
I would say eating out as opposed to brown bagging it would leave me more full.
**How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out?
I would have no clue. I would guess that an average bag lunch for my daughter to take to school costs maybe a dollar or two, if that. If I took her out it would cost closer to $5
**What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1?
We buy those little plastic cups of fruit and applesauce for my daughter's lunch at Aldi's. You get like 6 cups for I think $1.38 and she takes one a day. She also gets a free milk at school, so we don't even buy a drink for her lunch.
It varies, we like variety. Soups and sandwiches. Tortilla wraps are a huge favorite. Lots of times it's left overs, YUM!
# Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them?
# What types of food do you make?
# Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy?
I NEVER buy lunch... but then, I work only five minutes from home and it's easy for me to come home.
I usually eat leftovers, and if not, I make a sandwich with a good whole grain bread (usually homemade.) I have an intense dislike for white bread, mostly because it seems I need to eat twice as much to fill me up.
I don't ever spend money on lunch, and since I'm eating leftovers, I don't calculate the cost.
Sometimes, on weekends, my husband and I will dine out at lunch, sharing an appetizer and conversation, but not really a "meal."
Personally, I think they both can be healthy - it's all about choice and options!
I think making them at home is more satisfying because you can make it EXACLTY how you want it. Not having to worry about it makes it that much easier!
Eating out is SPENDY! It's hard to get a sandwich and drink or even a salad and a drink for less than $6. It's insane how much meals on the go cost, but that's the price you pay for convenience!
When I make a lunch at home, I buy in large quantity and it really cuts down on the cost!
DON'T BUY the small pre-packaged portions - you are paying for packaging and convenince and it's not worth it! Instead by snack size ziploc bags and seperate the larger bags on your own!
Use coupons in conjuction with sales to really save big!
• Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? I used to buy out a lot, but just can’t afford it.
• What types of food do you make? I love sandwiches because they are so portable, I keep a stock of soups on hand because even though they cost more than a year ago, they are still a filling, low cost option, sometimes I’ll make a large salad at dinner and use the leftover for an entrée sized portion for lunch.
• Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy? I think they can both be healthy as long as you avoid deep fried foods. I like the variety of sandwiches I can buy, especially when my husband keeps complaining that we can’t have all the ingredients that the deli does. It’s hard to have the same thing several days in a row, but we make what we can find on sale.
• Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?) I have found both sandwiches from home and ones that I buy that stave off hunger. The trick is making sure to load them up with filling veggies.
• How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out? Yikes! I’m not sure, but I’d say that a homemade sandwich would be in the $1 to $3 range whereas a sandwich out starts at about $5
• What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1?I think the best thing we do on the cheap is leaving a portion of our dinner meal as a lunch for the next day, followed by using “manager special” meat from the supermarket (pork tenderloin, roast beef, chicken breast) that we cook up and slice thinly ahead so it’s ready to make sandwiches.
My daughter has never liked school lunches, so she has always brought her own lunch to school.
I do go to the local coffee house, when I need to concentrate on paperwork or writing though.
Do you brown bag or buy a lunch for your kids? No Kids
Do you make lunches for yourself, or buy them? This depends on the situation. As a consultant, my time is more flexible for cooking and eating at home. I am also more likely to be onsite longer, or later than expected. I bring lunches if timing is planned and I know I won't have to entertain a client. If I may have to entertain a client, or timing means I really need a break, I may go out to eat.
We do have to spend the full $50 in one visit. But with 4 people it's not that hard to do. And by getting it for $25, we can actually "splurge" and order something we normally wouldn't!
What types of food do you make? I am vegetarian (lacto-ovo), and enjoy many ethnic foods, so my cooking is varied. I bake my own bread about 50% of the time.
Which do you think is healthier (brown bag or buying)? How do you make it healthy? I think both brown bag and buying can be healthy if we pay attention to content. Buying is more likely to have high calories than the way I cook -- but subsequent meals in a day can be adjusted accordingly. The most important consideration is "how much do I need to eat?" (rather than, "how much do I want to eat?").
Which one is more satisfying? (i.e., which leaves you full enough so that you don't snack later on?) I don't snack based on the content of meals -- I snack if I am at an event or doing an activity which is predisposed to that.
How much money do you spend on the average brown bag lunch? How much do you spend on the average lunch you buy out? About $3 and $6 respectively.
What are your frugal tips for creating or buying a lunch less than $5? Less than $3? Less than $1? Less than $5 -- Its hard, but there are some places that have actual food under $5. It would be easier if I ate meat (meat burgers can come out under $5). Less than $3 -- That gets really hard unless I get a small salad. Less than $1 -- Buy a yoghurt at a grocery store.
As long as you keep the processed foods to a minimum, brown bagging is healthier. You can find healthy alternatives when eating out, but it is difficult. Mainly because of the larger portions and the greater amounts of processed foods.
I think my kids can eat as much as an adult on most days!
fortunately, my children have access to a microwave and refrigeration so they are able to enjoy hot meals or leftovers all winter. they brown bag it during the week and are allowed to purchase lunch on fridays.
`usually leftovers. sometimes i pack a sandwich, and i almost always garnish.
`I think brown-bagging is almost always healthier. Most places where people buy lunch serve food laden with calories and without much nutrients because it's cheaper. With a packed lunch, you control what goes in, and it's almost always healthier than other things.
`Homemade food is more satisfying because you can control what goes in so you can anticipate what foods satisfy you and pack accordingly.
`I generally spend maybe $ 2 dollars packing my lunch. Very cost-effective.
`leftovers always are good. if not, deli-meat sandwiches or packaged foods are quite inexpensive
His friends are always jealous! LOL!