Adjusting to In-Person Work & Saving on Lunches

The transition from working from home to in-person work has been an adjustment to say the least. After years of rolling out of bed and logging in within minutes to now waking up at least two hours before start time, dress up, and the whole commute thing takes some getting used to. And let’s not even talk about the cost of daily lunches.

Everyone I know is going through some kind of change right now, whether small shifts or major life shake-ups. And one of my biggest adjustments? Saving to include on work lunches.

Listen, I’m all for treating myself, and buying lunch once or twice a week. But doing it daily? That’s bad financial behavior. We save coins on this side of town.

And that’s where my love for cooking dinner every night comes in clutch. Not only does it mean homemade, delicious meals, but it also means built-in lunch for the next day. Two for one? Yes, please.

Here’s my not-so-secret strategy:

• Cook with lunch in mind – If I’m making dinner, I intentionally make a little extra. Boom, next day’s lunch is handled.

• Repurpose like a pro – Some meals get boring fast, so I switch it up. That roasted chicken from Monday? It’s getting tossed into a salad on Wednesday.

The result? More savings, less stress, and fewer last-minute "ugh, what do I eat?" moments. No sad desk lunches over here. Just good, homemade food that didn’t break the budget.

Creamy Bowtie Pasta, Steak Bites and Asparagus

Beef Mushroom and Zucchini Stir fry served with rice

The shift back to in-person work has been an adjustment, but learning to be intentional with meals has helped. It’s a simple hack, but a powerful one: make dinner, plan for lunch, save money. And let’s be real, with everything changing around us, it feels good to have one thing under control.

How are you adjusting to being back in the office? Drop your best budget-friendly lunch tips in the comments!