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Easy Tricks To Eat Cheaply During the Work Week

By Michelle 25 Comments

Easy Tricks To Eat Cheaply During the Work Week

I am a foodie. But, I am a foodie who has to go to work everyday and I hate eating the same thing day in and day out. I’m also a foodie who is in the process of paying off debt and trying to save money. So what does a frugal person do during the workweek for food?

Have a meal plan.This is a great way to eliminate the guessing game of “what’s for lunch.” I typically will do this at the end of the previous week so that I can go to the grocery store or farmers’ market to pick up any additional items that I might need. An example of a menu would be:

Breakfast:

yogurt/oatmeal/protein bar/fruit and peanut butter/ or a smoothie

Lunch:

salad with roasted chicken, chickpea masala, or the old standby peanut butter and jelly!

Snack:

almonds and dried fruit, smoothie, veggies and a low fat dip, hummus and veggies

Dinner:

a hearty soup, chicken and salad, some crockpot special

You get the picture. You might not need as much food variety as I do! Typically I will prep my lunches on Saturdays, but Sundays are just as good.  Make sure to have good quality glass food storage containers (not plastic) and a nice bag for your lunch. DO NOT pack your lunch in the morning. Do it the night before. You will be too tired to deal with it in the morning.

Buy a crockpot or ask one of your family members for one. If you have a crockpot, you have the whole cooking world in your hands! It is the easiest way to prepare a wonderful meal without slaving away over a hot stove when you’re tired. Typically what I will do is throw all the items into the pot the night before (put the removable pot into the fridge the night before). Then I will add the water the next morning, turn the crockpot on low and have my meal cooking throughout the day. The best thing is to return home to the smell of delicious food and just having to relax and eat. If you’re not into cooking this is a fantastic option for you.

If you like to eat out with your colleagues/friends at work try to limit the number of times you go out. I would say that once or twice a week is more than enough.  You may even want to figure out the average amount that you spend and then adjust your outings accordingly. For example: if you spend $10-$12 in a day ( a meal/drink/snack) and do that twice a week multiply it by 4 (4 weeks in a month) and then you have your  monthly lunch expenses. If you feel comfortable with the amount then no problem, if not-make some adjustments!

Having a good handle on daily food expenses is an easy way to minimize your expenditures. Good luck!

What are your favorite cheap work day foods?

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Easy Tricks, Eat Cheaply, food, Work Week

About Michelle

Michelle Jackson blogs at (The Shop My Closet Project) . She is a lifelong lover of Perrier water, cruiser bikes, reads obsessively, and loves to travel. She enjoys hiking, hanging out with friends and family, and meeting new people. Personal finance is an ongoing obsession and she hopes to help others succeed financially.

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  8. marty says

    October 11, 2014 at 14:53

    I Love love my crockpot I cannot cook very well but with the crockpot it doesnt matter. I saved in college from eating hot pockets and top ramen all day
    marty recently posted…418 Yummy Make Ahead Freezer Meals and OrganizerMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Ced @ FuggingDebt says

    October 10, 2014 at 09:18

    I love my oatmeal in the morning!
    It’s healthy (if you buy the raw oats kind unsweetened), cheap, and fast to make. I love adding fruit from strawberries to apples. I also keeps you full longer than most other breakfast meals. Nice post!
    Ced @ FuggingDebt recently posted…4 Fugging Benefits of Not Attending FinCon ’14My Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 08:41

      I’ve got my oatmeal bag at work and eat it with a glob of nut butter and some frozen fruit 🙂

      Reply
  10. Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter says

    October 10, 2014 at 07:12

    I eat pretty cheaply throughout the week, but it’s the weekend days that get me with eating out and everything. I went on my honeymoon for a month in South Asia, and now that I am back I am so turned off eating out that I doubt I’ll make a habit of it anymore. That should save some cash!
    Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter recently posted…What Are You Giving Up to Save Money?My Profile

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 10, 2014 at 08:05

      I want to have this problem! LOL! And a month in South Asia sounds fabulous.
      Michelle recently posted…Versatile Blogger Award-The Shop My Closet ProjectMy Profile

      Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 08:40

      That ought to tide you over for a few months, at least, before you have the desire to go to restaurants again. I hope the trip was awesome!

      Reply
  11. Allison says

    October 8, 2014 at 19:45

    Crockpot, Crockpot, Crockpot! This is my best friend in the kitchen, and when my old one dies, I will go out and buy another one that day!
    It is so versatile, and so easy to com and come home to a meal that is prepped and ready!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 10, 2014 at 08:07

      I am usually shocked when I find out that people don’t have one. It saves so much time and money.
      Michelle recently posted…Versatile Blogger Award-The Shop My Closet ProjectMy Profile

      Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 08:39

      I love the anthem!

      Reply
  12. Holly@ClubThrifty says

    October 8, 2014 at 14:36

    I am just getting ready to break my crockpot out! I made soup in it last week =)
    Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…Club Thrifty October Budget Breakdown and Blog UpdatesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 10, 2014 at 08:08

      Me too! Of course it’s snowing in the mountains so IT’S THAT TIME in CO.
      Michelle recently posted…Versatile Blogger Award-The Shop My Closet ProjectMy Profile

      Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 08:39

      I’ve busted mine out now, too.

      Reply
  13. How to Save Money says

    October 8, 2014 at 07:46

    Aside from saving money, you also get to control the oils and fats that you intake. Cheers to a healthier and sexier you!
    How to Save Money recently posted…Saving Money when Buying HoneyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 10, 2014 at 08:08

      I forgot about that part! And since I’m trying to lose weight-that’s huge.
      Michelle recently posted…Versatile Blogger Award-The Shop My Closet ProjectMy Profile

      Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 07:53

      I’ll cheers to that!

      Reply
  14. brock @cleverdude says

    October 8, 2014 at 06:46

    I like to throw extra stuff on the grill when I fire it up – regardless of what day it is. Then I have great food left over for lunches!
    brock @cleverdude recently posted…Should My Teenager Get A Debit Card?My Profile

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 19, 2014 at 11:21

      I wish I could grill. I haven’t tackled that yet!

      Reply
    • Anne says

      October 22, 2014 at 07:53

      Mmmm, BBQ!

      Reply

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