Here’s everything you need for a waste-free less expensive school lunch for the entire school year…

A lunch box or bag:

1. ACME Bags – Recycled PET Medium Thermal “6 Pack” Lunch Bag – $9.95
2. L.L Bean Flip Top Lunch Bag in tons of solid colors and print – $19.95
3. Built Tasty Lunch Tote – other colors available – about $20.00
4. Laptop Lunch kit – this is a little more money, at $37.99, but comes with almost everything you need (insulated carrying case, water bottle, the Laptop Lunch Bento Box with all inner containers and utensils, and one copy of The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide) so you won’t need extra snack containers or sandwich wraps. Comes in a rainbow of color choices too.

Something to hold sandwiches and snacks:

1. LunchSkins Reusable Sandwich Bags – $8.25
2. Small Sidekick – PACK OF 3 – $12.95
3. Aladdin – 10 oz Recycled Snack Container – 6.95
4. Fresh Snack Pack – Reusable Sandwich Bags – $5.45

The finishing touch; napkins, drinks, and utensils:

1. Sunflowers Bottle – $9.95
2. RePEaT Bamboo Utensil Set & Holder – Holds an eco-friendly To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set which includes a fork, spoon, knife and a set of chopsticks.- $10.99
3. Four Corners Cloth Napkin, Red and White – $2.69 each
4. Kids Grip-N-Gulp Bottle – $7.95
5. 16 Oz. Stainless Steel Bottle – $12.99

So it’ll cost about $40 per kid to gather up everything they need for a reusable, waste-free lunch for the entire year. That’s a big savings over disposable items. It can be even cheaper if you check thrift stores and discount department stores first – especially for items like cloth napkins and food containers.

Are you packing your kids lunches this year? AND are you choosing disposables or reusable gear?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Now that we’ve moved and I’m working from home again, I’m packing her lunch every day. One reason is because I want to monitor what she’s getting and how much she’s eating. The main reason though is the price. School lunch for elementary students is $2.30!!! Of course, rates are higher for older children and adults.

If you’re thrifty, you can pack your child a healthy lunch for less than $1 per day. Yesterday’s lunch for my daughter was a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread, sliced peaches, and a cup of milk. I pack her a Munchkin straw cup that has a valve in it, so that the milk doesn’t leak.  Of course, there is a large ice pack inside to keep everything fresh.

I’ve done the math and figured that if I bought school lunch for her everyday, it would cost about $46 per month! Ouch! That’s a good part of my grocery bill.

Please vote in our poll to the right and let us know if you buy school lunch.  We’d also like your thoughts below in the comments.  Thanks!

image by me

Post from: Thrifty Mommy