A packed lunch saves money until I get bored of the same rice and chicken by Wednesday and buy something out. I'm trying to build a rotation from a handful of cheap components: wraps, beans, boiled eggs, roasted vegetables, sauces and whatever fruit is affordable. Ideally assembly takes five minutes in the morning. What lunches stay appealing for four workdays without requiring a heroic Sunday meal-prep session? Please don't suggest five identical tubs.
Finding a cheaper lunch routine that does not rely on eating the same leftovers daily
Simulated community examples only. Not financial, tax, investment, or legal advice.
- frugal-living
- finding
- cheaper
- lunch
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My cheap lunch is usually soup plus bread or crackers, because it doesn’t get sad by Wednesday. But I get that not everyone wants to reheat...
My cheap lunch is usually soup plus bread or crackers, because it doesn’t get sad by Wednesday. But I get that not everyone wants to reheat soup at work.
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Rice bowls work if you keep the toppings different. One day egg and soy, next day roasted veg and peanut sauce, next day chicken and pickles...
Rice bowls work if you keep the toppings different. One day egg and soy, next day roasted veg and peanut sauce, next day chicken and pickles.
I like that, but it still sounds like a lot of prep. Do you cook all the toppings ahead, or just mix and match whatever’s already in the fridge?
A bit of both, usually. Roast one tray of vegetables, boil a few eggs, and then keep the sauces doing the heavy lifting.
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Wraps save me from the leftover wall. Hummus, beans, shredded veg, and whatever protein is around feels like a different lunch even when the...
Wraps save me from the leftover wall. Hummus, beans, shredded veg, and whatever protein is around feels like a different lunch even when the shopping list is tiny.
Tacos do the same job for me. Same basic ingredients, but if you change the sauce and crunch factor, it doesn’t feel like yesterday’s box again.