I'd do a combo. I bring food from home, sometimes leftovers, sometimes a sandwich, sometimes soup etc. I try to bring the extras with me, so fruit and snacks, so that when I buy lunch, it's a small lunch (like a sandwich, no sides).

Aim to bring or go very cheap 4 days a week, then eat out somewhere you like once a week. That should give you a good balance.

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm guess i am in the minority here. I go out for lunch every day and spend $10-$18 every time. I packed my lunch for a bit but didnt seem worth the extra effort or thought for us. DH now works mostly from home so maybe has lunch out about 1-2x and spends about the same.

NP, are you able to maintain your weight by eating out everyday? I mostly pack because if I go out for lunch, even if I get a salad, it's too many calories.

I usually make salads for the week:

large box of mixed greens: $6.00
cucumber: $1.50
carrots: $2
cherry tomatoes: $2.50
red onion: $1.00
chickpeas: $.75
avocado: $2.00
dressing: $2.00

= $27.75 for 8 salads (4 days, 2 people) = $3.47 per salad. Plus some fruit or a granola bar = around $5 per lunch.

For all the people saying, pack your lunch and put your money into your 401k -- I'm sorry but why are you working? I work hard. I am not going to eat PBJ or frozen dinners or last night leftovers - I work hard to be able to afford things, like going out to lunch. And I don't find that it hinders my ability to max out retirement, HSAs etc.

Hmmm guess i am in the minority here. I go out for lunch every day and spend $10-$18 every time. I packed my lunch for a bit but didnt seem worth the extra effort or thought for us. DH now works mostly from home so maybe has lunch out about 1-2x and spends about the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10. If you're single and no kids, enjoy these splurges. When you've got a kid and a mortgage, you can do PBJ.

Don't do this! Do PBJs now too and bank that extra money in your Roth!

I agree with both of these PPs. Get your budget together and make sure you are saving money. Decide on a small weekly amount for lunches out and stick to it. Bring your lunch 2-3 days a week.

I bring leftovers 3 days a week and go out twice a week ($10-15 each). The days I go out are the ones where I made a non-leftover friendly dinner like steak or fish; things I don't want to eat reheated.

I bring leftovers like most posters. If I do go out, I spend between $2 - $15 and that happens about once a week.

I bring leftovers or something frozen (TJ's or Amy's meal). I keep the freezer stocked to avoid having to buy lunch. I also bring my own coffee, a late breakfast (homemade frittata, baked eggs in ramekins, yogurt and berries), and keep a snack stash. I splurge on occasion, but BYO has really helped me save money and avoid waste.

I make a large batch of lunches on Sunday that lasts me through the week. My lunch is a mix of chicken, rice, beans, celery, onions and peppers with various spices and seasonings. It's a really delicious and filling lunch and I estimate that it costs about $4 per day.

I spend between $7-$12 also and occasionally take lunch leftovers home for dinner that night.

I think if you're single and not cooking dinner there's more of a case to be made for eating lunch out and taking leftovers home or dinner. I would try to bring lunch a couple times a week, or bring a yogurt or something and supplement.

If I eat out, I spend between $10-13. But I usually bring leftovers from the night before. I do generally buy a coffee and snack around 3:30 and that's about $5.

I average about $8/day and eat out everyday but always get water

$7-12/day. Been doing it since I graduated 12 yrs/ago. Sorry but I work hard -- not going to eat PBJ and an apple as I've I'm in 6th grade. And despite what people here say, yes you can buy lunch daily and still be a responsible adult maxing out your savings and every retirement acct.