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Money-Saving Tips for Your Lunch Break

How to save money and stretch your budget on your midday meals.

Nashville, Ark. – As inflation continues to stretch household budgets, the cost of dining out-even just for lunch-can quietly chip away at your finances. A $12 sandwich here, a $5 coffee there, and suddenly, you’re spending hundreds each month just on midday meals.

The good news? With a little planning and creativity, you can significantly cut costs without sacrificing flavor. Here are some practical, wallet-friendly tips to help you save money on lunch:

  1. Meal Prep Like a Pro

Dedicate a few hours each weekend to preparing lunches for the week. Cook staples like rice, pasta, roasted veggies, and proteins in bulk. Mix and match to create variety throughout the week. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce food waste and avoid last-minute takeout temptations.

  1. Repurpose Leftovers

I’m amazed when I hear about people who do not take advantage of leftovers either from a restaurant meal or one cooked at home. Last night’s dinner can be today’s lunch. Grilled chicken can top a salad or be stuffed into a wrap. Roasted vegetables can be tossed with quinoa or turned into a hearty sandwich. Get creative with what’s already in your fridge before reaching for your wallet.

  1. DIY Snacks & Sides

Prepackaged snacks may be convenient, but they come at a premium. Buy in bulk and portion your own snacks—think carrot sticks, hummus, trail mix, or popcorn. It’s cheaper, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.

  1. Invest in Reusables

A small upfront investment in reusable containers, utensils, and an insulated lunch bag can save you money (and reduce plastic waste) over time. You can easily find containers at thrift or discount stores. Plus, it makes bringing lunch from home feel a little more stylish and less like a school cafeteria throwback.

  1. Go Plant-Based a Few Days a Week

Meat tends to be one of the most expensive grocery items. Try incorporating more plant-based meals like beans, rice, or veggies. They’re filling, nutritious, and easy on your wallet.

  1. Set a “Lunch Out” Limit

Instead of cutting out lunch dates entirely, set a budget or limit—perhaps only eating out once a week. That way, it becomes a treat rather than a routine expense.

Bottom Line:

Saving money on lunch doesn’t have to mean sad desk salads or endless peanut butter sandwiches. With a bit of foresight, you can eat well and stick to your budget—no sacrifice required.

 

Recipe of the Week

 This recipe is so versatile – you can add, substitute, or eliminate the veggies, cheese, and meat according to your taste. I would likely substitute the ham with bacon or kidney beans.

Bow-Tie Pasta Salad

  • ½ tsp. salt

  • 1 lb. bow-tie pasta

  • 1 ½ cups frozen peas

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • ¼ cup parsley

  • 3 Tbsp mustard

  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tsp. honey

  • ½ tsp. pepper

  • ½ lb. deli ham - cubed

  • ½ lb. Cheddar cheese - cubed

  • 1 red bell pepper – chopped

  • 4 green onions – sliced thin

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute longer than package directions. In the last minute of cooking, add the peas to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, oil, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Fold in the pasta, peas, ham, cheese, bell pepper, and green onion.
  3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

By Angie Freel
County Extension Agent - FCS
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Angie Freel
County Extension Agent - FCS
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
afreel@uada.edu

 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

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