How to save money on school lunches (part 1)

School lunches don’t have to cost the earth. Unless my children are one of a kind, they really aren’t as fussy as advertising and the like make them out to be. Mine would be more then happy if I let them eat vegemite sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

But besides that, it does get difficult to fill that lunch box. Some days you wake up and just want to give them money for tuckshop.

Sound familiar?

Change your habits!

Instead of having to make it every morning I try to make it at night. If you are really strapped for time during the week, spend some time on a Sunday night and freeze sandwiches etc – being prepared and planning your school lunches can save you heaps of cash!

Recess

Try to avoid the isles of overpriced muesli bars and attempt to make your own. There are some fabulous yummy recipes on the internet, so you don’t even have to go and buy expensive cook books.

Get back to basics! Carrot sticks, celery sticks, cheese sticks etc, can all be prepared on a Sunday and will keep in the fridge if stored correctly in lidded containers.

Don’t forget strawberries, apples, grapes, you name it. It is all healthy and doesn’t cost a weeks wages. Be sure to buy fruit that is in season. This usually means fruit that is on special. Strawberries and grapes can also be frozen!

Lunch

Most meats and cheeses (and vegemite) can be frozen and add extra if you need to the night before. Make sure you take it out of the freezer the night before in winter to ensure it has defrosted and in summer, by the time it is lunch time it will be lovely and fresh!

Drinks

Avoid expensive poppers (unless they are on special for a super ridiculous cheap price, that’s when I stock up) and invest in a decent solid drink bottle.

This year we have gotten some excellent aluminium flasks on special at our local camping store that seal tight and keep drinks cool. You can fill them up with anything and unlike there plastic counterparts, they don’t taste like cordial (or smell) when you have water in them.

Don’t forget the importance of water! Juices and cordial taste yummy, but water will keep them much more hydrated and on the go. The plus side is, it is basically FREE!

Especially in summer, they really need a drink bottle that they can refill with water at the bubbler!

After school Snacks

This is just as important, in my opinion, as any other meal of the day.

I remember nothing better then coming home from school and tucking into a tall glass of icy milk that contained almost a full tin of Milo.

Milo is packed full of all the good things a child needs and teamed with low fat milk is perfect for keeping your children’s bones strong and healthy. Not to mention it is also the best tasting snack!

How do you save money on school lunches?

We need some money saving mums out there to share their tips, cmon! Leave a comment below!

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