Why I Bring My Lunch To Work Every Day

I am a huge believer in eating healty and saving money so it only makes sense that I would bring my lunch to work every day.  Like most of us my work day is pretty hectic so the “lunch hour” is pretty rare and I find myself working through lunch most days at my desk.  This simple act allows me to control what I eat during the work day while keeping my expenses low.  The average lunch in the US is $10 per day so this can add up quickly:

• $50 per month
• $2600 per year.

By bringing your lunch each day you can easily reduce this expense by 50% or more.  The excuse I hear most often from my coworkers as to why they don’t bring lunch is because of the time it takes to make it.  I have found that by creating a routine in the morning or in the evening can help you overcome this hurdle.  I personally make my lunch in the morning each day and can pull it together in less than 5 minutes.  This is easy for me because I eat lots of fruits and vegetables which are easy to quickly clean and put in my lunch bag.  I will also usually take dinner leftovers or make a quick sandwich.

I have found that the health benefits of making my lunch far outweigh even the financial benefits.  For one I am able to bring right sized portions so I don’t have to worry about overeating and feeling lethargic once 2pm rolls around.  I also don’t bring fried food for lucnh which can just make me feel uncomfortable and gross.  I sit at a desk all day and the last thing I want is to be weighed down by a heavy fatty lunch for the rest of the afternoon.  In fact my lunch helps provide a much needed energy boost most days.

I pack snacks also for the end of the day so I can refuel before hitting the gym.

Conclusion

I am a believer in packing my lunch each day for 3 simple reasons:

1. It helps save money!
2. It’s healthier
3. Increased productivity

It really is a win/win.  Also if I do splurge at dinner and “overindulge” I can feel good knowing that I had a healthy lunch!