Let's Eat In

Are you guilty of eating out for lunch every day of the work week?  Think about it…. If lunch costs an average of $9, that is $45 per week.  Annualize that number, and you are spending $2,340 per year on eating out for lunch.  Ouch, that number hurts a little bit when it is put in that perspective, huh?  This number might even be on the low end of the spectrum.  With a lot of meals, once you add chips and a drink, you will be closer to $12 per meal!! And that doesn’t include the Starbucks coffee and pastry you picked up this morning either. Then think about taking the family out to dinner, even more expensive!

At Financial Fitness are dedicated to cooking quality meals for both lunch and dinner.  Below are some of our favorites along with extra info about the dish as well as approximate average cost per meal.  You will notice that several of these are crock pot meals.  We love the crock pot because prep is relatively short and the food cooks while you sleep or while you are at work!

Crock Pot Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork [via Simply Scratch]

This is hands down one of our favorites!  We discovered this recipe after starting the Paleo diet at the beginning of 2013 (therefore, we excluded the cornbread).  But it has been one of our staples for lunches as well as entertaining purposes.

Total recipe cost: $44.43 from Wal-Mart

Cost per meal (assuming 6 meals): $7.41

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos [via Two Healthy Kitchens]

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Crock pot and three ingredients.  Set it and forget it! The chicken shreds perfectly at the end of the cooking time and is delicious.  You can eat in taco shells, tortillas, in a salad or over quinoa.  So many options!

Total recipe cost: $12.16 from Wal-Mart

Cost per meal (assuming 6 meals): $2.03

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili [via Skinny Taste]

Do we love the crockpot or what?  But really, it is amazing.  This is a very hearty dish that is great to have at lunch.  You will be looking forward to lunch around 9:30 in the morning!

Total recipe cost: $22.19 from Wal-Mart

Cost per meal (assuming 6 meals): $3.70

One Pot Wonder Chicken Lo Mein [via The Wholesome Dish]

Craving Chinese food?  Well make this one for your lunch tomorrow!  Easily makes four large servings.

Total recipe cost: $34.34 from Wal-Mart

Cost per meal (assuming 4 meals): $8.59

Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette [via Damn Delicious]

Wanting to be super healthy?  Instead of going to the super trendy salad restaurant, try this kale salad with homemade dressing.  Quinoa, kale, pomegranate and avocado are listed as superfoods.  Could you be any healthier?

Total recipe cost: $29.17 from Wal-Mart

Cost per meal (assuming 4 meals): $7.29

All recipe costs factor in purchasing spices/pantry staples (think olive oil, sugar, salt, pepper, etc.) that you may have already in your pantry or refrigerator. Compare your grocery lists to what you have in stock at home to potentially save even more money!

For more budget friendly recipe options and restaurant copycat recipes, follow our Pinterest boards!