McPrior / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
You’re in the office and your tummy starts grumbling. You have many options for lunch but which one is best for your wallet? Options include eating out, brown bagging and re-heating a frozen entree.
Eating Out
Pros: This option is convenient and depending on where you work, you have an array of foods at your fingertips. There is no need to pack a lunch the night before or wake up extra early to prepare something. Eating out with coworkers can be a bonding experience and if you can chose the eatery, you can make sure you have an Entertainment Book coupon. Cons: This can quickly become an expensive habit if you don’t find deals for eating out. If you stick to dollar menus to minimize the cost, your waistline and health may take a toll. Cost: $10 per meal x 5 days a week = $50 per week
Brown Bagging
Pros: Keep an eye on your wallet and your waistline with this option. Brown Bagging can be more environmental if you use a reusable lunch bag, bring utensils from home instead of using disposables and pack a reusable water bottle. Being your own chef allows creative meal planning, especially if you use a multi-compartment easy lunch box. Re-heat dinner leftovers for a tasty meal. You can eat quickly at your desk or find a nearby park. Brown Bagging is nearly as fun as eating out with a favorite co-worker. Cons: It gets boring fast if you stick to the same meals and requires advance planning. Cost: $2.60 for a sandwich + .40 for baby carrots or fruit slices = $3 x 5 days a week = $15
Frozen Entrees
Pros: Prepackaged foods are very convenient and easy to grab on your way out the door in the morning when you’re in a hurry. You can stock up when they go on sale and keep them for weeks in the freezer. You can eat quickly at your desk. TV dinners used to have a bad rap for being unhealthy but there are now healthy options. Cons: Many TV dinner are loaded with salt and lack fiber and vitamins, taking a toll on your health over time. Portions are often so small you head to the candy machine for an afternoon snack. Cost: The entrees cost around $5 and sometimes cheaper when you can find coupons. $5 x 5 days a week = $25
Eating out costs significantly more than brown bagging or relying on frozen meals, but also takes a lot more time. What’s your frugal lunchtime option?
jpellgen/Flickr
This is a guest post from Marie, a long time reader of BargainBabe.com.
Most restaurants today offer great cost-conscious meals for those willing to search for them. Getting super deals when eating out is as simple as clicking keys.
The best way to get great deals is simply to visit their Internet sites, join their online member clubs, and take advantage of the great deals most restaurants offer on their sites and email regularly to their members.
It’s not just grownups that can benefit. You can fill in membership applications online for your children to get great free or low-priced offers. Here are a few examples, but you can find your own at almost any restaurant, simply by exploring their web sites.
Claim Jumpers Restaurants
Join the Claim Jumpers E-Club. Members receive a complimentary Small Bite Dessert for joining. Club members also receive monthly emails with exclusive offers, in-store promotions, etc.
Children 12 years of age and under can join the Little Jumpers Club to receive a FREE Build Your Own Sundae for joining and a FREE Little Jumpers meal on their birthday. You will also receive emails about children’s promotions and events at Claim Jumpers.
Benihana Restaurants
Benihana, the Japanese-style restaurants where food is cooked fresh on your table, have great online offers. Join the Benihana Chef’s Table club at www.benihana.com to get a Benihana Birthday Dinner certificate for a FREE meal of $30 or less during your birthday month. They will also take an instant birthday photo for you to keep as a souvenir.
Benihana is now launching Kabuki Kids for children 12 and under. Go to the site and fill out the form with the child’s name, birthday and address. Benihana will send the child a special postcard to bring into any participating Benihana during their birthday month for a FREE souvenir mug of their choice with the purchase of any Children’s meal.
Baja Fresh Restaurants
Join Club Baja to get email offers. Recent offers include a $5 coupon off any purchase of $15 or more (two can eat for this offer); a coupon for $2 off any $6 or more entree; and if you buy a Primo Taco Combo (which includes your choice of Langostino Lobster, Spicy Marinated Fire-Grilled Steak, and Blackened Mahi Mahi), you get the second Primo Taco Combo for $2.99.
Tip: Your Baja Fresh receipt often offers $2 off your next meal if you complete a survey.
I have not seen this big of a discount at Restaurant.com for a looooooong time. Get 90 percent off their gift certificates with code NINETY. At full price a $25 cert is $10, so with this coupon code a $25 cert is just $1. Yowza!
Perhaps it is time to stock up for yourself or get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Expires Sept. 13, 2009.
The certificates last for a year, but check the fine print because some have unusual redemption rules.
