by Joshua Smith

Created on: April 16, 2009   Last Updated: April 21, 2009

You can carve a great deal of spending out of your weekly budget by simply packing lunch everyday. Even at that, with rising food prices, this can be very difficult. The best place to start is taking a look at daily expenses. The average American spends $20/day on food and beverages. That's incredible! In our fast-paced society, we have become all about the convenience of fast food. I guess it's hard to argue with how convenient it actually is. To get a salad, burrito, or 1/2 lb cheeseburger shoved through your window right before you speed off in your car to work is pretty darn convenient! Healthy, no. Easy and expensive, yes!

There is an answer to saving money at lunch time everyday. It starts by thinking ahead, thinking frugal, and staying away from fast food! Here's a few helpful hints to get the most bang for your buck!

Go to your local Dollar Store and buy those individual serving size resealable cups. They are not that expensive and worth every cent. They can be used for several things: pudding cups, fruit cups, servings of jello, etc. They can also be used as dipping cups. Ranch or Blue Cheese for vegetables and maybe peanut butter for pretzels or crackers.

While you're at the Dollar Store, pick up a few of those "blue ice packs.". They will keep everything safe and cool. Sandwiches like egg or tuna salad need to be kept cold. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will not need an ice pack.

Muffins stay fresh for days in a Zip-LOCK bag, as do most breads or pastries.

When the winter months roll around, a small thermos is great for hot soups or chili. I have seen lots of these at yard sales for a quarter.

The thermos is also handy for holding whatever your child likes to drink.

Put some FUN in the lunchbox: buy cheap toys from Big Lots or Dollar Store and keep a stash at home, cut cool shapes out the sandwich bread, write funny notes to your kids, maybe a funny comic strip. Kids LOVE surprises!

Here's a good habit to start: when cleaning up after dinner, put those left-overs in those little storage containers, or make sandwiches ahead of time and place them next to lunchbox items in the fridge. Get the kids involved! The more help the better!

Make sure napkins, utensils, or any other lunchbox items are together in the same area so it is accessible to everyone. No more scrambling or running late in the morning. Now you can be out the door and gone in just minutes!

These practices won't solve all your financial needs, but it is a great start. Saving money is one of the most important tasks that we will ever embark on. There are thousands of tips and techniques but none are worth a thing until put into action.

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