Money Saving Tip #4: Trash-Free Lunch

During the school year I pack my daughter's lunch (nearly) everyday. I, too, take my lunch to work everyday. Rather than utilizing a new set of ziplock bags for each meal, I pack our portions in re-usable plastic containers (with lids). Everything from the sandwich to pretzels go into a small tupperware-like container.

Bonus Tip: Avoid buying fruit cups and individually packaged food items. For my homemade fruit cups I pack her sliced-up fruit, grapes, mandarin oranges from a large can, or frozen fruit (like blueberries) that can defrost by lunchtime. I buy animal crackers and pretzels in bulk and put them into re-usable 4oz. containers.