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Saving on School Lunches
by Kimberly Danger
The average school lunch costs in America costs
only $1.80 -- a challenge for today’s mom to
beat in both price and convenience. However, a
little organization is all you’ll need to send
your kids to school with nutritious lunches
while saving money at the same time. By using
some of these ideas you can get the average
price per lunch under $.75 which means with more
than one child in school, you could save
hundreds each year.
Divvy it Up
Pre-packaged items can take a big bite out of
your budget. Instead, buy a box of 100-count
sandwich bags and divide big bags of pretzels,
popcorn, chips or other snacks into individual
sized portions yourself – or better yet: have
the kids do it. Separate individually sized
servings of applesauce, pudding, carrot sticks,
or other healthy foods your child will eat into
reusable containers. Taking just a few minutes
at the start of each week on a regular basis can
add up to big savings over the course of the
year.
Consider the Packaging
Today’s toss-away containers can be expensive –
not to mention bad for the environment. Use
reusable containers and utensils instead: from
cloth napkins to “real” forks and spoons right
down to the lunchbox itself, which will pay for
itself over time over brown paper sacks. You
don’t have to purchase special containers:
leftover yogurt containers with lids and
margarine tubs serve the purpose well. Don’t
forget to invest in a good thermos, too. It’s
not just for milk: use it to keep soups, pasta
dishes or last nights’ leftovers warm. Keep
drinks cold by freezing a small portion
overnight. Fill your container with the
remaining portion in the morning.
You don’t have to pay full price for your
child’s lunchbox, either. Choose an insulated
box or bag to help keep hot foods hot and cold
foods cold. Great deals can be found if you
wait until late September to buy -- when back to
school gear hits the clearance rack. Or, buy a
used one at a thrift store and garage sale.
Don’t worry about the artwork; take it off with
fingernail polish remover and use stickers to
embellish it with your child’s favorite
characters.
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