School lunches are becoming so expensive that you almost have to sacrifice your first born to afford to let your kids eat school food every day. Besides that, you can’t regulate what your kids eat while they are at school if they buy from the cafeteria and a lot of the time, it’s not healthy stuff. So I’ve decided to launch a week long series to help you guys save money on school lunches! Be sure you leave your tips and ideas in the comments to share with others how you save money yourself!
If you are having a problem with your kids not eating the things you pack for them, make a menu! They can’t complain about the food they have to eat if they are the ones picking!
- My son has packed his lunch since kindergarten (he is now entering 6th grade). When he first started school, I made up a little menu with main items (pasta with sauce, peanut butter and jelly, ham/cheese/crackers) fruit or veggie (apple, fruit cup, apple sauce, carrot/celery sticks, pepper strips) and a sweet treat (pudding, rice krispie treat). – Kelly
- I don’t have children of my own, but I work with them in a school, and the kids who eat the healthy things and don’t waste at lunch are the ones who proudly state, “I packed my lunch today!” – Sarah
Also, instead of your kids throwing things away at school, have them bring everything home. You can see what your kids are and aren’t eating and plan accordingly.
- I work in a school, and let me tell you the amont of food thrown away could feed a small country. It breaks my heart to see kids dumping out tupperware full of fresh strawberries, as I know how expensive they are! Practically entire sandwiches, unopened individual snacks, juice boxes that are still full. I hear a cha-ching with each drop, lol! I am willing to bet their parents assume they are eating everything…. My tip is having them bring everything home so I can tell what things they are actually eating. I hate wasting food!! – Cathy
Learn how to save even more money with these Money Saving Tips.
I always have my kids bring home uneaten items, (unless it’s something disposable that can’t be resealed.) They will usually then eat the leftovers after school for a snack.