How to Save More from Your Paycheck: Meals at Work ~ Cheap Students

Now that you have some income from your brand spankin' new summer job, you might have the sudden urge to start spending all this new found money on breakfast, lunch and coffee everyday. The crazy thing is....your money is going to disappear really fast if you buy all of your meals etc. This is the start of a series on how to save more from your paycheck. Check out the blog throughout the summer for posts like these!

How to Save by Bringing Food to Work

When making dinner the night before make 2 times the amount you would normally eat, divide up 1 portion for dinner that night and before you start eating dinner pack the other half up in a Tupperware container.

Great options include; quinoa, rice, pasta etc. with veggies as well

If you're a fan of bean salads, quinoa, pasta salad etc. make a big batch on Sunday night, refrigerate and you will have meals for a good portion of the week.
Make sure to either eat breakfast at home before leaving to go to work OR bring breakfast to work. If you don't eat breakfast you will end up buying a lot more food then you should.
Buy snacks to store at your desk or somewhere at work. These munchies may help you get through the day and save you from buying snacks at work. Obviously if you're into that whole healthy eating thing, the healthier the snacks the better.
When buying groceries, purchase foods that are easy to bring to work ie. Sandwiches as well as portion size yogurts. Plan out what you want to eat for breakfast and lunch before the morning of.
Despite how stubborn I have been for the last 4 years of work at 9-5 jobs in the summers. My mom always had some great advice. Pack your lunch the night before! It saves you from giving up and leaving the house without a lunch and having to buy one at work if your running late etc.
Also if you are living at home this summer while working, make sure to snatch the best of the leftovers first. You know it can be a free for all sometimes, especially when the leftovers are pizza.

Great Recipes & Meal Ideas

Breakfast

Oatmeal (small pouches or quick oats)- Bring a tupperware container to work, put the oatmeal in and the appropriate amount of water, microwave or add boiling water. Add a variety of fresh or frozen fruits. Easy to make and healthy.

Oatmeal Recipes

"Egg McMuffin"

Or you could just go with cereal...