You can save up to 600%!!!
November 22 2013
That sounds incredible doesn’t it? Well, it’s true.
If you are like many folks and regularly buy your lunch instead of brown bagging it, then you are spending an amazing 600% more than if you made it at home. SIX TIMES THE COST OF MAKING IT YOURSELF!
Let’s do the math. For lunch today you went to the local Italian place and had lasagna with a side Caesar salad and a cup of coffee.
- Lasagna: $14
- Salad: $6
- Coffee: $2
- Total: $22!!!
http://www.olivegarden.com/Menu/Lunch/
And that does not include taxes or tip.
Let’s say that on Sunday evening for dinner you made lasagna and froze whatever leftovers. Then on Tuesday for lunch you bring yourself a portion of lasagna, a side salad and something to drink (how about water, it’s cheap!)
Let’s do the math on this one.
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef: $4.50
- Onions, garlic, basil, oregano, salt and pepper: about $3.00
- 1 can of diced tomatoes: $1.50
- 1 can tomato paste: $1.00
- 12 lasagna noodles (here you can buy whole wheat, which is never an option at a restaurant): $2.00
- Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Mozzarella cheese: about $8.00
- Total: $20…almost the same except you just made 8 portions!!!!
- So that works out to $2.50 per portion.
- Add your mixed greens salad and homemade dressing: about $1.50
- Grand total of $4.00!!!
Let’s compare: $22 before tip for a restaurant lunch or $4 (feel free to tip yourself) for homemade…that’s a 550% savings!!!!
Okay, maybe you don’t go out to a sit down restaurant that often, maybe only on special occasions. Instead you head to the local sandwich shop and get a chicken salad sandwich and a soda: $7.00.
What if you made that same sandwich using yesterday’s leftover chicken and brown bagged it? It would cost about $1.50. That’s a 460% savings!
Taking the time to plan your meals ahead and to make sure you have leftovers will not only save you LOTS of money but will save you time and may very well make you healthier.
