Cheap Eats for the Lunch Box

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

29 Jul 2008 11:53 AM

Whether you pack lunches to take to work or are gearing up for the back to school crush, you'll want to take a look at this blog. In it, I offer some tried and true cheap eats for the lunchbox. Not all snacks are created equal when it come to the monetary cost of them. And, you can have anything from standard to gourmet on a budget when you pack it yourself.

These are the following sometimes unconventional things I put in lunch boxes that help me save money.

Muffins. Make them home made and in any size that is convenient.

Carrots. Don't buy the convenient baby carrots that are already peeled. Instead buy a bunch that you can peel and cut yourself.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This is a cheap and nutritious meal, especially when it is made on homemade grain bread. Try using pancakes or english muffins instead of bread or making your own butter spreads.

Homemade bread. This can be used for sandwiches as above or for snacks. Spread some some raisin bread with cream cheese.

Leftovers. Leftovers are such a great lunchbox edition, and many of them don't even need to be heated. Cold pizza has always been a favorite of my kids. Breaded chicken can be part of a green salad, etc. Use them or lose them. Consider it a free lunch when you use leftovers.

Cheese. Cut snack size strips from a hunk of mozzarella or cheddar cheese instead of buying individually wrapped cheese sticks. You'll save money and add some calcium in the diet.

Rice. Rice is a great lunch box edition either hot or cold depending on what you do with it. it is cheap and easy to prepare.

Breakfast cereal. Buy your cereal on sale of course. I find that cereal can make a nice substitute for snacks and desert.

Ants on a log. Add some peanut butter and raisins to a stick of celery for a great economical snack.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

More Great Articles:

School Lunch Strategies

Lunch Money for Education

End of Loaf Meat and Cheese Deals

How to Save Money on Bread

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Eileen123 (40) 29 Jul 2008 12:18 PM

I'm a big fan of carrots as well. My favorite is peanut butter and banana sandwiches... sometimes with honey too :)

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Mary Ann Romans (26876) 29 Jul 2008 03:15 PM

Mm, peanut butter and banana sounds great. I bet you could use slightly overripe bananas, too!