Packing vs. Buying: The Ultimate Lunch Cost Showdown

The Great Lunch Debate: Is Packing Your Own Really Worth It?

As a self-proclaimed foodie, my go-to lunches often feature high-end ingredients like quinoa and avocados. But let’s be real, these luxuries come at a cost. I decided to crunch the numbers and compare the expenses of three different lunch options to see if packing my own lunch is truly worth the effort.

Option 1: Buying Out Every Weekday

My usual lunch spot, Pret a Manger, offers a convenient but pricey option. A half tuna sandwich and chips set me back around $5.90 per meal, adding up to a whopping $118 per month.

Option 2: Making Bougie Quinoa Bowls + 1 Day of Eating Out

To make my signature quinoa bowls, I need seven ingredients: quinoa, edamame, avocados, eggs, grape tomatoes, arugula, and chicken nuggets. While buying these ingredients from Trader Joe’s seems reasonable, the time investment is significant – around two hours on the weekend. The total weekly cost comes out to $16.12, with a monthly total of $64.48.

Option 3: Salad Kits + 1 Day of Eating Out

Recently, I discovered pre-made salad kits from Trader Joe’s, which have become a game-changer. Each bag costs $3.29, and I buy one of each for variety, making up four meals. Adding chicken nuggets and pita chips for extra flavor and crunch, my total monthly cost comes out to $65.92.

The Verdict

After analyzing the costs, I was surprised to find that the avocado in my quinoa bowls accounts for a whopping 40% of the cost! Buying salad kits is only a few dollars more than making quinoa bowls from scratch. By not eating out every day, I’m saving around $50 a month. However, that one day I do buy out really adds up.

Lessons Learned

For now, I’ll stick with the salad kits, which offer a great compromise between saving money, valuing my time, and eating healthy. But I’m still on the hunt for more cost-effective lunch recipes that don’t involve crockpots, lentils, rice, or pasta. If you have any healthy, tasty, and easy recipes to share, I’m all ears!

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