You probably know the scenario. The office clock says noon and the guys and gals decide where to go for lunch. In many towns, the drive time to a restaurant eats up most of the lunch hour, not to mention the gas.
It's hard to find lunch for less than ten bucks plus tip. You gobble down your food, share a few laughs with your co-workers and rush back to the office wishing you had time for a nap.
As you walk to your desk, you notice this guy putting away his brown bag. He appears calm, happy and ready to get back to work, some of which he did while eating his lunch. He's thinking how delicious it was, how much money he saved and the hassle avoided.
Is it worth it to prepare and bring your lunch to work each day? Well, looking at some basic examples let's say the cost to fix your own lunch costs about $3 a day. It's probably much cheaper.
That's $15 for a five day week. Eating out at approximately $10 a day comes to $50 for the week. You saved at least $35 not including drive time and gas. That's more than $1,800 a year saved. Interested?
Here are some brown bag tips. Prepare it the night before so you're not rushed in the morning. Keep it simple but be creative and think healthy. Sandwiches on wholesome bread are fine but include nuts, fruit or yogurt. Also, put in a little treat for yourself that you can look forward to, perhaps a health bar or your favorite cookie.
Plan ahead and buy in bulk with lunches in mind. Buy large chips and put them in smaller plastic bags instead of buying small individual bags. Don't pay more for convenience.
Cook a big dinner and save some for lunch the next day or the entire week. If it's home cooked you know it's good, healthy and cleaner. Put it in individual containers that night so you can grab and go in the morning.
If you're running late there's nothing wrong with occasionally taking a can of soup or vegetable chili. Most offices have ovens or microwaves you can use for heating.
Bring your drink too. You can probably get a 12-pack of soda for $2.99 and that comes to about 25 cents a can. Compare that with expensive vending machine drinks or coffee and you've saved even more.
It's up to you of course, but you can continue to work while you eat, catch up on your emails or other relaxing reading. It just might impress the boss and if you have to take off early, you don't feel as guilty. Don't be surprised if others ask you for tips on brown bagging.
There's a lot to be said for brown bagging your lunch. You eat better, save time, money and you're more productive. Now all you have to do is figure out where to invest all that money you saved.
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To Save Big, Nix the Lunch Breaks with Co-Workers
Ford Fusion Sales Put it in the Top Ten and No. 1 Selling Domestic Car
The 2010 Ford Fusion has been quite the success for Ford. It's been a while since Ford has been competitive in the mid-size sedan market. The days of the best-selling Taurus are a distant memory, but after five years on the market and a successful redesign, the Fusion is picking up pace.
Sales of the 2010 Ford Fusion have already reached 151,137 units, which already eclipses the previous full-year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. In the first 10 months of 2009, Fusion sales have improved 15 percent.
"It's extraordinary that a car could set a sales record in an environment where overall industry sales are down 26 percent from a year ago," Ford sales analyst George Pipas said.
Of course Fusion sales are still way off from the Camry and Accord, but the Fusion is now the best selling domestic car.
Read more...Toyota Planning Larger Prius with a Lithium-Ion Battery
A new report is claiming that Toyota is planning a new larger Prius, that will be powered by a lithium-ion battery. The new larger version of the Prius will either be a wagon or SUV and it will supposedly launch by the end of next year.
According to the Japanese Yomiuri newspaper, the new version of the Prius will be Toyota's first hybrid with a lithium-ion battery. Toyota of course has declined to comment on the report.
Toyota is also reportedly working on a Prius coupe to go head to head with the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid.
Read more...Ford Announces New Police Interceptor for 2011, Goodbye Crown Vic
Ford has announced that the automaker is working on a new Police Interceptor that will replace the aged Crown Victoria in 2011.
The new Police Interceptor will be offered in 2011, when the Crown Victoria is finally discontinued.
"We have heard the repeated requests from the law enforcement community to continue uninterrupted support of the law enforcement community," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Ford is answering the call with the new Police Interceptor - engineered and built in America."
Ford currently holds 75 percent of the police pursuit vehicle business in the U.S. This announcement also follows GM's announcement to release a new Chevy Caprice sedan for police duty.
Each year Ford sells about 45,000 police vehicles.
Read more...2010 Lotus Evora to Start at $73,500
Lotus has announced the pricing for the 2010 Lotus Evora that will arrive in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2010. The 2010 Evora will start at $73,500.
The Evora features a 2+2 setup with a mid engine. The 3.5L V6 puts out 276 horsepower and 256 lb-ft. of torque. Thanks to its light weight It reaches 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed over 162 mph. It also manages to get over 30 mpg on the highway.
Lotus has announced a 44 dealer Open House Tour of the US of the Evora for people that haven't seen the car in person.
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