I Tracked My Spending for 7 Days – The One Habit That Freed Up $300 Fast
If you ask people about their monthly expenses, they’re probably aware of their rent/mortgage, car payments, groceries and utilities. However, small expenses quietly drain your bank account. For many, office lunch is the biggest culprit.
That daily sandwich, salad or takeout bowl may not feel expensive in the moment. But when you multiply it by five workdays a week, the cost can snowball fast. Recent estimates suggest buying lunch at work can easily cost workers $5,664 per year, especially in major cities.
MoneyLion spoke to Elisabella Ricca, consumer analyst at TopCashback USA, who tracked her spending for a week and found out that she was spending $15 to $20 a day on work lunches. Here’s one habit that helped her free up $300 a month.
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Making Work Lunches at Home
Ricca recently started to track her spending and realized that buying daily lunch at work costs her hundreds of dollars each month. During her internship in New York City, Ricca would spend $15 to $20 daily on lunch. That’s around $300 to $400 a month for a 20-workday month.
She decided to cook lunch at home, and that has helped her save money. “One habit that freed up money fast is making my work lunches at home instead of buying them out,” she said.
Homemade lunches typically cost a fraction of restaurant or delivery meals, especially if you use leftovers or meal prep in bulk. The cost of a packed lunch is around $5 to $6 per meal compared to $15 to $20 buying out, depending on where you live.
Ricca said bringing lunch to work has remained one of her most effective savings strategies because it fits easily into her routine. “Not only does it save money, but I also have more control over what I’m eating, which allows me to live a healthier lifestyle.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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