Today, I just checked, there are coupons for ziplock bags and the little containers over HERE. I used 77477 and looked under “household”. I use these for all the little things I send to lunch for them. I buy larger sizes and break them into smaller instead of buying “snack size” which usually costs more per ounce.
I like to send, raisins, mini pickles, cubed cheese and ham, shredded carrots (I have no idea why my kids like this!) chunks of fruit, sunflower seeds and tons more.
To help save on school lunches I make a lot of my own pudding, jello and treats. If I can get a killer deal on fruit roll ups and granola bars of course I buy them but for things like jello and pudding it is just too cheap to make! Plus, it tastes better then the pre-packaged stuff.
The night before, after the kids are in bed OR new for me this year, my 11 and 9 year old daughters make pudding and jello for the next day. They pour them into the little ziplock containers and toss them in the fridge overnight.
I also use the little containers for small fruit, chunks of cheese, ham, mini pickles, chunks of fruit and dry cereal.
I also make sandwiches in bulk by using a 6 pack of rolls.
Next, comes the ham and cheese.
Then I flip it over and cut 6 sandwiches.
I try and stay under $4-5 dollars a day for all lunches. So about $20 – $25 a week on lunches. I buy bread and rolls on sale and freeze them. Earlier this summer at Randalls I bought 13 packages of string cheese for under $.75 a bag, then I freeze and pull out every few days. I also freeze lunch meat and load up when I get it on sale. The snacks are always very cheap at Kroger mega events. We go through an enormous amount of fruit, I always try and price match it at Wal-Mart.
What do you make for school lunches? Do you have any time savings tips?!
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My problem is the kids don’t like the same things and i have a vegetarian in the mix as well!
thanks for the tips .. i have a large family and i never thought of all that ..
wasnt aware you can freeze lunch meat
awesome idea, thank you!
wow is all i can say girl…i love the sandwich idea! my 5 yr old started kindergarten this year…not sure she would bring back the containers or not…lol…she barely eats anything from her lunch…mainly the sandwich…
Tiffany,
I have gotten my 2 older grils (12,10) to start planning the lunches for the week based on what we have in the house. They also help me plan our shopping for the week so have a better idea what things cost. They pick one item from a list, sand. type, fruit, chips/pretzels, treat(granola bar, fruit bar) then assemble the lunch the night before. We also use the little ziplock containers, but mostly for ranch dressing to dip the carrots in.
I never thought about using those containers for individual pudding. My kids will love that! Thanks for sharing! I laughed when I read about your kids loving shredded carrots too. I was just prepping veggies for a salad tonight and of course, homemade pizza on Friday. I love shredded carrots on salads and have to make lots of extra because my kids inhale them. They love them for snacks and as a side with meals.
Hi Tiffany. My son loves waffle sandwiches for lunch. Mayo, musturd, ham & cheese or peanut butter jelly! It’s pretty good!
Love your ideas!!! 🙂
Paty
Those sized containers are my favorite! Since my kids don’t like sandwiches, I use them for everything from pasta to cut up tomatoes. I also like to make pudding and jello in those plastic containers that baby food comes in. Great for snacks at home, though not good for school lunches because the tops come off too easy.
I also LOVE the ziploc containers:) I use the ziploc divided containers and
I make “homemade” lunchables I use cookie cutters if I’m feeling fancy to cut the lunchmeat/cheeses with if not just a knife to cut it in squares, crackers a cookie/bite size candy, and of course fruit/veg on the side.
Time savers-I freeze the capri sun or bottle water the night before…I pack all the “dry/non perishible” items in thesnack containers or lunch box the night before then all I do is add the cold drink and sandwich/main course in the morning as I fix breakfast.
I bought some of these same containers on sale a while back. I thought the same thing, homemade lunchables! Although I have yet to do it because I keep finding actual lunchables on sale.
My kids like cheese and crackers but always complain that the crackers get crushed. So, we started using croutons instead. It works great because they never crumble and they are bite size.
Tiffany,
Really…i read this site for good deals but mostly to just hear how you raise this amazingly large family on such a small budget. WOW – it’s unbeleivable and I know it’s a job in itself so good job Tiffany. You are an inspiration to so many!
Another tip that I use is to not even use Ziploc bags, and just use reuseable, ecofriendly, ripstop nylon-lined fabric snack and sandwich bags. They have a TON on Etsy, and in adorable fabric choises. They last for years, and can be thrown in the dishwasher in the top rack, and wrung out to dry on the counter, ready to go in the morning.
My kindergartener didn’t use a single Ziploc bag last year, and our landfill thanks her. 🙂
Here I thought I was doing good making my daughter’s lunch the afternoon before:) The pudding…the sandwiches…you’re my hero!
great ideas