Do you bring packed lunches to work?

whadabouchasir

Neamhshuntasach wrote: »

Nah but i bring work to packed lunches. I pay people to make sandwiches for me.

Do you have any idea how middle class that makes you sound?!

Gummy Panda

Sometimes but there is a marks and spencers near me. I do like their bangers and mash for €2

Neamhshuntasach

whadabouchasir wrote: »

Do you have any idea how middle class that makes you sound?!

Upper middle class, thank you very much.

Looking for work?

donkey balls

being making my own sambos the last three years also bring crisps chocolate bars etc and two 2litre bottles of water depending on how long my day will be.

yoshytoshy

My favourite is chopped tomatoes ,sweetcorn ,onion and tuna in a wrap.

8 large wraps are a little over a euro in tesco.

OneArt

Hah. I work in a restaurant so I can eat whatever I want for free. Well except steak. Gorgeous food, too. Mmm.

i didn't do it

normally finished work by lunch time. i start REAL early so just get the large breaky roll at work €3 for 2 sas 2 ras 2 egg 2 pudd 1 hash. i coudn't make that for any cheaper

Sofiztikated

Packed lunches are always my complete poverty option.

Only ever worked a job where I had to pay for lunch for about 6 months. I think I brought a packed lunch twice. And usually, what I make for lunch, I don't want at lunch time, pernickitty ****er, I am.

Gordon

Packed lunch +1, plus bring ground coffee to work to filter and apple/banana smoothie for lunch drinkie.

To save time I slice tomatoes (and make chicken mayonnaise for sandwiches or other sandwich fillers) and tupperware them, and make my smoothie for the next day while I am making my dinner for that night.

Blush_01

I walk to work, so the idea of spending my entire lunchbreak walking to the shop and back to have no time for actual eating doesn't make sense, and we have no canteen as such in work, although bread, butter (well, an imitation), milk, tea, coffee and sugar are provided FOC.

I've brought lunch every day since I started working where I am. One day I didn't like what I had, and one of the guys was going to the chipper, so I got a bag of chips. Another day a new girl started and didn't know where the shop was, so I showed her - she drove - and I got a portion of wedges. Other than that, I haven't bought "lunch" in a year and a half.

I go through phases of putting lots of effort in, and then doing nothing and just buying a carton of soup or some yogurts to bring in. For the past few weeks I've been great at bringing in lunch, but I had scrambled eggs, feta cheese, broccoli and green pepper for dinner this evening (nicer than it sounds!) and so I'll probably bring in some oats and raisins and make porridge in the microwave. Yummy!

Ya can't beat a good flap sandwich.

whatdoicare

I follow the website "just bento" and her sister site "just hungry"- best lunches and money saving ideas ever!!! I started making my own lunches about two months ago- I save at least 20 euros a week, my skin cleared up, my hair is shinier, brimming with energy and I've lost a stone I'm never buying my lunch again!:cool:
The recession finally did something good for me :P:P

Greyfox

I tried a few times but buying a lunch always tastes miles better, it's pricey but making you own lunch is also far too much hassle!

chocgirl

I compromise bring lunch 3 days and buy out the other 2. Agree that it's always tastes better if you buy it. Got into a really bad habit of buying a couple of coffees every day again though after being good for a long time.

Gummy Panda

whatdoicare wrote: »

I follow the website "just bento" and her sister site "just hungry"- best lunches and money saving ideas ever!!! I started making my own lunches about two months ago- I save at least 20 euros a week, my skin cleared up, my hair is shinier, brimming with energy and I've lost a stone I'm never buying my lunch again!:cool:
The recession finally did something good for me :P:P

looks like a lot of hassle making a bento.

flanum

aligator_am wrote: »

Howdy,

Just wondering how many of you now bring packed lunches to work since the aul recession kicked in?

Has your wages decreased because of a recession?? mine havent.. same as they have been for a few years, only difference is now some shops are cheaper than they were a year ago with all this pricing competition, so its win win!! No i dont make packed lunches for work... i go across the road to the petrol station for a big dinner for about 5.5oeur. dont need a big feed when i get home then, just a light snack.

whatdoicare

Gummy Panda wrote: »

looks like a lot of hassle making a bento.

The first week is hard alright but the site shows you how to have stores of little tid bits to just throw together last minute all made from leftover dinners - takes me all of two minutes in the morning now to throw together one for me, the hubby, two kiddies and a grandad. If I'm feeling creative I take time the night before but mostly it's slap boom bash- lunch boxes thrown in general directions! lus it's pretty healthy and is 100% yum!:P Quicker and nicer than a soggy sandwhich anyday

aligator_am

flanum wrote: »

Has your wages decreased because of a recession?? mine havent.. same as they have been for a few years, only difference is now some shops are cheaper than they were a year ago with all this pricing competition, so its win win!! No i dont make packed lunches for work... i go across the road to the petrol station for a big dinner for about 5.5oeur. dont need a big feed when i get home then, just a light snack.

As a matter of fact, yeah, my wages have decreased because of the recession, also, haven't you been hit with the Govt levy?

FlutterinBantam

I brought in egg sandwiches last week, four rounds of the fcukers.

Unloaded a faaaarttttt you could bring a knife and fork to, and caused consternation in the executive staff room.

Fcuking stink evacuated the kip.


Never again.

feb09

The Perfect Drug wrote: »

So no, I don't bring my own lunch. Haven't yet got bored of the selection around me.

its not about getting bored, its about saving money

i didn't do it wrote: »

normally finished work by lunch time. i start REAL early so just get the large breaky roll at work €3 for 2 sas 2 ras 2 egg 2 pudd 1 hash. i coudn't make that for any cheaper

of course you could.
they are making a profit selling it for that price, so it can be made cheaper

In All Fairness

J.Ball wrote: »

I generally try. I make the sambo the night before and put it in the fridge but once the morning comes i'll 9/10 times forget it so end up buying lunch.

Heh mate. You left your keys in my place.

In All Fairness

Huggles wrote: »

Work food For the Week:

3 pk of tuna in sunflower oil x2 - €4.28
Mccambridges brown bread - €1.69
2 Litres Supermilk - €2.49
Box Shreadded Wheat - €2.69

Total € work food - €11.15 or €44.60 a month!

HUGE DIFFERENCE in spending a tenner a day!

And really healthy too...means you can savage the odd Indian! Mmmm!

Have to say though, brine instead of sunflower oil Ftw.

feb09

no way, sunflower oil is much nicer

In All Fairness

Deleted User wrote: »

I try to bring lunch with me but soup is €1 in my canteen and every day there is a meal for €2.85, could be chicken and rice one day, chilli and a baked potato the next. Most days there is a type of fish and lots of choices of veg (this is a bit dearer). Rolls are 3.10 with a cup of tea for 10cent so although it would be cheaper to bring lunch every day it just seems more hassle than it's worth most of the time.

Ah jaysus man, at those prices, if you're working you'd be mad not to take advantage. Soup and a hot meal for under €4. Enjoy your lie-in. It's all about priorities. Make yourself a nice fry-up at the weekend. Read the whole of the Sunday Times. If you eat enough bacon and good mushrooms, and drink quality coffee 'til it's washing against the back of your teeth, you'd be surprised how quickly you can save €20 in one good hedonistic sitting.

angel01

I really should do, I used to but I used to get so bored of my own packed lunches I reckon I will start again as it will save me spending it on crap lol.

JayeL

I've worked near Grafton St for over 5 years and never once brought in lunch. Not when I was living at home, not when I was renting in town, not when I'm now paying a mortgage. Not when there's a boom, not when there's a recession.

And my reason for doing this has always been the same; sanity. Sitting at my desk with a limp little sandwich I made the night before is my idea of hell. We have a 'canteen' but it's tiny, it's only a room with two vending machines and they always have something awful on the telly. And from what I've heard, it's boring.

Buying your lunch every day costs less than a 20-a-day habit. But it's possible to get a good sandwich, drink and crisps in town for 4 - and I can't imagine anywhere in Ireland more expensive than the Dublin 2 area. If you want to splash out, you can get a 6in sub, drink and crisps in Subway for 4.99. Or you can go upmarket once a week (as I do on a Friday) and get a good two course meal for 8.50 (and it's not Kylemore, it's a proper place with waiters - one of whom is the guy from the Guinness ad that says "to Arthur" so you know it's classy).

I'm not saying it's for everyone and sure, if you'd rather spend the same amount (130 or so a month) on DVDs or alcohol or cigarettes (that's not a dig, I drink as well), knock yourself out.

But I brought in enough lunches in school and it'll be a sad day if I have to stop!

RxQueen

I have started bringing in paked lunches with the past few weeks, but this morning being grumpy decided to have that extra ten mins in bed..

centra smabo ftw today

Snoopy1

I work 12 hour shifts, so was paying for breakfast and lunch, and even though the canteen is meant to be subsidised, it was still costing a fortune. Plus the stuff that would sometimes be served, wasnt even describable. Now i bring in my own cereal and lunch, usually pasta or a wrap.
Now my food looks edible and i know whats gone in it!!!!

IvyTheTerrible

I used to all the time, I'd just make twice as much as I needed for dinner the night before and bring the rest in to work the next day for lunch.

Now where I work, I get lunch (main dish, and three other things, from salads, desserts, fruit, yoghurt and cheese) for 2.59 which saves me money cos then I don't need to eat a dinner when I go home.

az2wp0sye65487

I'm spoiled for choice at lunchtime...

All contained within a 500m radius of where i work is:

Eddie Rockets
McDonalds
Subway
4 Star Pizza
Centra
Spar
Tesco
2 Chippers
about 8 pubs, some of which do lovely lunchtime menus
Chinese buffet

But I still usually always bring my own lunch. When I started working where I am i was eating out a lot at lunch... and piled on the pounds. I like the idea that you know what you're eating when you make it yourself. The difference in price is also a major factor. That mortgage isn't gonna pay itself!

Pete4779

I do, and it's not for financial reasons but instead because of quality of food. Homemade with fresh ingredients is way nicer, healthier, etc., .

Trail_Blazer

Yeah, I buy the microwavable dinners at the store, and bring 'em to work each day. I used to buy all the time, but have since stopped.

sunnyside

JayeL wrote: »

I've worked near Grafton St for over 5 years and never once brought in lunch. Not when I was living at home, not when I was renting in town, not when I'm now paying a mortgage. Not when there's a boom, not when there's a recession.

And my reason for doing this has always been the same; sanity. Sitting at my desk with a limp little sandwich I made the night before is my idea of hell. We have a 'canteen' but it's tiny, it's only a room with two vending machines and they always have something awful on the telly. And from what I've heard, it's boring.

Buying your lunch every day costs less than a 20-a-day habit. But it's possible to get a good sandwich, drink and crisps in town for 4 - and I can't imagine anywhere in Ireland more expensive than the Dublin 2 area. If you want to splash out, you can get a 6in sub, drink and crisps in Subway for 4.99. Or you can go upmarket once a week (as I do on a Friday) and get a good two course meal for 8.50 (and it's not Kylemore, it's a proper place with waiters - one of whom is the guy from the Guinness ad that says "to Arthur" so you know it's classy).

I'm not saying it's for everyone and sure, if you'd rather spend the same amount (130 or so a month) on DVDs or alcohol or cigarettes (that's not a dig, I drink as well), knock yourself out.

But I brought in enough lunches in school and it'll be a sad day if I have to stop!

I look forward to my lunch and I just wouldn't look forward to a sandwich made the night before. The cost of my lunch is included in my food/grocery budget and I don't smoke so big saving there.

Novella

I decided I'd eat in Ann's on Henry St. the other day after seeing a lot of people I work with getting lunch there. I went and got myself a carvery dinner 'cause I was working the late shift so wouldn't be home 'til ten and it'd be too late to make dinner then. That wee plate of (slightly cold) food cost me something like fourteen euro! Never again!

Whiskey Devil

Never. Sandwiches get boring....

Run_to_da_hills

I used to bring a packed lunch to work, the lunch box was much heavier going home than it was going in.

paconnors

I do most days but sometimes eat out for a treat.

January

Daniela Gorgeous Molding wrote: »

I'm spoiled for choice at lunchtime...

All contained within a 500m radius of where i work is:

Eddie Rockets
McDonalds
Subway
4 Star Pizza
Centra
Spar
Tesco
2 Chippers
about 8 pubs, some of which do lovely lunchtime menus
Chinese buffet

But I still usually always bring my own lunch. When I started working where I am i was eating out a lot at lunch... and piled on the pounds. I like the idea that you know what you're eating when you make it yourself. The difference in price is also a major factor. That mortgage isn't gonna pay itself!

You work in Phibsboro!

NatKingColeslaw

Our canteen is well kitted out. We even have black marble work tops, with in built coffee bean type coffee thing dispenser.

Story goes that was meant for the Admin section but they fuk up and fitted thier kitchen in our section

I make my own sarnies there on a daily basis but once in awhile I hark for an O'briens tikka.

Tescos crumble ham is much better and cheaper that SuperQuinns, for the record.

galwayrush

I drive a little over 700 yards home for a proper dinner.:cool:, but if i walked a direct route through the fields it's a lot closer.

SeekUp

I've almost always brought packed lunches to work. It's usually best if you have a casserole or some kind of lasagna or pasta or something for dinner, then it's easy enough to put a small bit in a container to take to work the next day. Or anything with rice and veggies is good to heat up.

Funny how everyone is mentioning sandwiches though -- sandwiches take an age to make in the morning, and are my last resort. Unless I have the makings of a fantastic sandwich. Then it's different. Same with salads.

aligator_am wrote: »

Ah, with the colder weather on the way, stews and coddles will be made regularly, great way to save a few quid on lunch and is great with some soda bread + butter

THAT is the best . . . you can make an entire pot of stew for cheap, and you have lunch/dinner for days afterward. That is what I'm looking forward to when the weather turns cool!

ger vallely

My dad used to love the sausages from the coddle the next day on his sandwiches,I love coddle but not the next day cold sausages.

galwayrush

SeekUp wrote: »

That is what I'm looking forward to when the weather turns cool!

What>?:eek::eek:You mean it's going to get worse?:eek:

rainbow kirby

I'll be bringing packed lunches when college starts again, I really can't afford to be paying for lunches every day. Usually either sandwiches or a pasta salad or something, and I'll almost always bring some fruit too.

TimTim

Work part pays for my lunch so I don't need to bring anything in.

mrsdewinter

I go through phases of being frugal and bringing in packed lunch. Hardly ever a sandwich though. Whoever said sandwiches were the biggest PITA to make in the morning, I agree.

What puts me off packed lunches in the end is that it's too easy to bring your lunch back to your desk and work through lunch. After a few days of it, I'm dying to walk to the overpriced deli across the road, purely because it means escaping from the building for 10 minutes.