Sign me up! Who wouldn’t want to save money while eating? For realz though, let talk about about the fact that the average american spends 1k on eating lunch out during the work week every year (Forbes). Let me also tell you that that number is if you only eat out twice a week and spend $10! 10 dollars here, 10 dollars there. I know that a lot of my happiness stems from eating, and I find no shame in that. Eating is my happy place and when working, I look forward to my lunch break. But, if you are wanting to save, cut back and get your debt paid off, you HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM DINING OUT FOR LUNCH! The average person goes out to lunch twice a week spending $10 per lunch visit, that is 20 dollars a week and right around 1k a year. If you ask me, I know many people that go out everyday and spend much more than $10. Think back, how many times did you get lunch out this week? Add it up and you will be shocked! Or, you can check your MINT app and it will tell you!

How to fight the urge of eating out and pack a lunch each day? I have the perfect tips and motivation!

Get a cute lunch box

My sisters always made fun of me for obsessing over my lunch box. I just love cute boxes to bring my healthy lunches in because it made me fee better that I was eating healthy boring food. It spices up the vibes and you will want to reach into the fridge to pull it out instead of remembering which brown sack is yours. Trust me, it helps to have a cute sack and you won’t feel like you are back in school with that boring ole brown paper lunch sack. * funny side story…. I had packed my lunch box for work one day and was out and about doing venue tours. Well, I stuck my credit card in my lunch pale for some reason and ended up misplacing my lunch box. No transactions were made and therefore, I just knew my lunch box was trying to prove a point. Hide that credit card and enjoy your healthy meal brought from home! Now looking for new cute lunch box…and my credit card.  Click here for my all time favorite 

Get excited about your lunch by adding a special treat

1. Because I am also a fan of eating healthy, I think it is important to treat yourself everyday. I found that putting a small special sugary treat in my lunch was motivation to get me exacted about my home packed lunch. I told myself I couldn’t eat the treat until I finished my lunch and I can promise you it helped me not want to forget my lunch in the fridge. Some of my favorite go to treats? Smarties, chocolate kiss, weight watchers chocolate, chocolate covered raisins, and every once in awhile I would throw in a fruit snack.

Pack it the night before

Don’t waste food and pack your lunch the night before with leftover dinner.

Write yourself an encouraging note

So our mom used to put cute little notes in our lunchbox growing up. I don’t know if we should brag or be embarrassed, but our mom packed our lunch for us until we graduated high school. THANKS MOM!  anyway, I loved when I got a cute little note from her because it was encouraging to read something fun. I’m all about self motivation. Here are some of my favorite cards you can put in your lunch. Close your eyes, pick from the stack and throw it in! Surprise and delight yourself and be proud of yourself for saving you and your household $10.

Find your favorite lunch spot outside of the office

 

When I lived in Italy, I had my go to places to eat, grab coffee (a cappuccino was only 1 euro… I know not even fair!), hang out, and just enjoy my time people watching. Find YOUR spot near your office. I feel like it is extremely important to get out of the office during your lunch break so you can refresh, let go, focus on something outside office work and interact with other individuals outside your coworkers. Find your spot and get excited to enjoy your space. Maybe it be a special table!