Hi All,
One way I save money each week is by packing my lunch and putting the 5.00 I would spend in a jar each day.  At the end of the week I have $20.00 for gas which I put in on Sunday and $5.00 to get myself something at Brew Ha Ha..as a treat.
 
  
  
  
  Nice! I started packing my lunch as well.  This helps not only with saving money, but with saving my waistline as well.  I find I eat healthier when I take the time to pack one than when I get hungry at work and grab whatever.
 
  
  
  
  Same! I definitely eat healthier when I'm bringing food from home. And when I have my own snacks at work as well vs whatever is provided by my work in terms of candy or treats that coworkers bring in.
 
  
  
  
  Yes! I can't believe how much some of my coworkers spent. One guy used to buy breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria every day, which cost almost $20!  And then he complained that he had no money.
 
  
  
  
  Haven’t eaten lunch out this whole year
 
  
  
  
  Since I work from one I don't all that extra money going to the lobby to eat.
 
  
  
  
  I always bring food from home!
 
  
  
  
  I need to learn how to make soup. I'm not sure where to start.
 
  
  
  
  I bring a lunch every day
 
  
  
  
  Trishyra A: At its most basic, soup is a good broth (usually either water flavored with meat [bone/marrow] and/or boiled vegetables) with thrown in chunks/cubes of ingredients people like together.
I find the easiest soups to make are:
  - egg-drop soup. I use water and bouyon powder/paste to make the broth, bring to a boil, then pour scrambled eggs in while stirring. Instantly cooked.
 
  - Potato soup [basically mashed potatoes with a lot more milk and some water [for those who are like me and want to save some milk], a bit of parsley, and salt/pepper to taste.) Most chowders that I have  had are based on potato soup.  Fish chowder is potato soup with [insert fish] corn chowder has corn.
 
Soups that are easy that require preparation are:
  - vegetable soup [most popular I know is called "minestrone"]
 
  - Gazpacho
 
  - Chicken soup [vegetable soup with shredded or cubed chicken]
 
  - Beef stew [vegetable soup with cubed beef. I usually use left-over roast, though canned beef can work, too.]
 
CAUTION: Canned chicken broth usually has an undertone that only canned broth does. You can make the broth better by adding thyme.
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Certain vegetables cook around the same time: onion, carrots, bell pepper, and celery. Other vegetables such as broccoli, corn, and peas [if you are like me and don't like mush] should be added at a later time.
   
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Most soups are better after they've had time to let their flavours marry. For most vegetable soups [or variation]: simmering for an hour or so will let the spices/herbs used to flavor seep into the broth [and perhaps some of the "chunck" ingredients.
   
Bay leaf is good to use for broth, but REMOVE after. Do NOT eat.
 
  
  
  
  Thanks for the soup advice!
 
  
  
  
  I try to bring lunch too, because there aren't that many food options near my workplace.
 
  
  
  
  Definitely a good way to save. I was super surprised when I stopped to look at just how much I spend getting drive thru.
 
  
  
  
  I know that I have to work in the office tomorrow. I need some food to pack my lunch for two days.
 
  
  
  
  Tishyra A.:  I take leftovers for lunch most of the time my son's consider meals made yesterday or two days as ancient so they are Mom's lunch meals 🤣
 
  
  
  
  You cook though. I'm a not a cook. I'm have gotten better since working from home most days. I have a long way to go.
 
  
  
  
  Tishyra A.
Awwww…you'll get there :)  I always try to make theses meals during the week spaghetti, hot dogs & beans or I just put a chicken breast in the crockpot and make sides so then have a homemade frozen entrée for work.
 
  
  
  
  I pack a lunch everyday that I must go into the office for work.
 
  
  
  
  If I may ask, how does one pack their leftovers? I've been bringing PB&J sandwiches with apple slices in a two compartment container.
But for things with either a gravy/sauce (ex: sauteed veggies, stir fry, beans) how does one keep the sauce from leaking/spilling out?