Save on lunchmeat and other items for homemade lunches. Image by Christian Cable.
I’m relieved to see that the back-to-school dust has finally seemed to settle. With new back to school clothes, school supplies and, for some families, the added cost of school tuition, this season can most certainly put a strain on your wallet! Now that we have our school routines down, you may have spent some time racking your brain for more ways to save money. Well, good news! In addition to the breakfast savings tips I shared with you before, here are some easy ways to save money each week in the lunch department.
I’m not suggesting that you never allow your kids to eat a hot lunch at school, as many schools have healthy options available. However, if you want to assure that your kids are getting the healthiest lunches, putting that little extra work to pack it yourself can help. I can’t promise they won’t trade that bag of carrots for a plate of fries, but at least you’ve done your part!
Healthy school lunches don’t take much more planning than your regular everyday meals, and you can almost always find coupons for these items. When it comes to fruits and veggies, try to buy “in season” to save the most since it’s unlikely that you will be able to find a coupon for these products. It’s unfortunate, but most stores just don’t have coupons for bananas.
Sandwich wraps are a great way to sneak in some lunchmeat using whole grain tortillas, bagels or pitas with veggies and hummus for flavor, or you could even whip up some “pizzadillas.” Also, try throwing in some hunger-busting snacks like homemade trail mix or peanut butter and celery.
Kraft foods has some really great lunch ideas to help you be creative without sacrificing flavor. I suggest putting in some string cheese or Go-gurt for dairy. Juice boxes can be very high in sugar, and staying away from extra sugar in your child’s diet is not only good for them, but their teachers will thank you, too! These are just a few of the ideas that can help you save money on everyday lunches. I hope they are helpful! I’ve also listed a couple products that often have coupons below.
Lunchmeat
Applegate Farms Organic Meats – Look for their Buy Two, Get $1 off coupon.
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh lunchmeat – Deli Fresh packages are best to buy during Kraft’s Buy 8, Get $8 off instantly deal and stack it with a $1 off two printable coupon from SS.com to make these $.50 each.
Sara Lee –Their highest dollar amount coupons are for up to $3 off on lunchmeat.
Starkist – Check for $.50 off coupon on a monthly basis; if the store doubles, get tuna pouches for free or almost free when pairing this coupon with a sale.
Cheese
Sorrento Cheese – Look for high-value cheese stick coupons for up to $3 off two; match that with the MFR’s occasional mail-in rebate promotion to get these free after coupons and rebate!
Adams Reserve Cheddar — Use $1-$2 off printable coupons at Food Lion, which prices these pounds of cheese for as low as $2; pair with sales at other stores.
Alpine Lace Deli Cheese – These are rare, but look for $1 off manufacturer’s coupons.
Kraft Cheese Singles – Look for high-priced coupons when you buy more than one package, i.e., $1 off 2. Most large grocery stores put cheese on sale at least once a month and some even offer Catalina checkout coupon deals with them. For instance Buy 3 packages, get $2 off your next purchase.
Box Lunches
Oscar Meyer Lunchables – Best to buy during Kraft’s Buy 8, Get $8 off instantly deal. Stack with a $1 off coupon from SS.com to make these $.50 each (typically $2.50).
Bread & Peanut Butter
Aunt Millie’s – Look for monthly markdowns as low as $1.50, then stack a manufacturer’s coupon for $.50 off.
Skippy – Best price I’ve have seen recently was $.88 each for the 16 oz. container by stacking a manufacturer’s coupon with a Target coupon and a sale price.
Smuckers- The best coupon I’ve have seen is for $.75 off; use it on the smaller jars (reg. $2) for the best value.
Yogurt
Dannon Activia – Meijer, Target and Kroger often release quarterly store coupons for $1 off; stack with the manufacturer’s occasional $1 off 4-pack coupon to get this product for free.
Fiber One – Get their yogurt 4-packs for as low as $.04 each using their regular coupon for a $1 off and pairing that with Target’s Buy 5, Get $5 in gift cards deal.
Prairie Farms – Use the manufacturer’s Buy Two, Get One Free coupon on single-serve yogurt cups (reg. $.50 or less) and pair with a sale for the best value.
Stonyfield – Use high-value manufacturer’s coupons (such as, $2 off three) on single-serving sizes.
Voskos Greek Yogurt – Look to pair manufacturer’s coupons such as $.75 off coupon with promotions such as Buy Two, Get One Free to get these products for free or close to free.
YoCrunch – Use the manufacturer’s $.29 off coupon on single servings; some stores will even double.
Yoplait – Buying multi-packs is more economical than buying singles because multi-pack coupons are higher priced; for example, get $.75 off a 4-pack, but only a $1 off ten individual yogurts.
Juice Boxes
Capri Sun – Often goes on sale at most retailers, but coupons are rare so look out for Buy Three, Get One Free deals for the 10-count boxes.
Minute Maid –Look for occasional manufacturer’s coupons for $1 off one or $2 off one on their website. Use on a 10-pack of juice (often regularly priced at $2.98) to get a box of juice for less than $.10!
Naked Juice – Look for $1 off manufacturer’s coupons to use on single-serving bottles (reg. $1.49 at most retailers).
Simply Orange – Use the $1 off coupons on their small one-serving size juices (reg. $.99) to get them for free!
Bottled Water
Ice Mountain – Best to buy when their BOGO coupons for one-liter size bottles are available.
Poland Spring – Stock up when the manufacturer releases their $1 off coupon. Apply to their one-liter sized containers (reg. $1) to get free bottled water.
Happy Saving!
~Kristie~
• $0.50 off 15oz Skippy peanut butter products• When you buy two or more ($0.50/2)
• Expires Oct. 31
• $1 off YoCrunch yogurt multipack purchases• When you buy two and enter a valid zip code
• Expires Aug. 1, 2013
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