Looking for a simple way to trim your budget? Start with Breakfast & Lunch!

We can often easily underestimate the cumulative amount of money that we spend on a daily basis for take- out. When craving that bagel with egg and cheese for breakfast we might not blink at the $4.00 price tag. For lunch, whether we choose a healthy salad or a burger combo it rarely cost less than $7.00 with tax. Add it all together for 5 days a week and your tab can easily total over $2800.00 for a year. With a little preparation, bringing your own food from home can almost cut that amount in half. Here are a few of my brownbag favorites to help stay on budget and keep you from falling into the PB&J rut.

• For breakfasts buy yourself a bag of bagels or a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, jam, or your favorite toast topping and store it at the office. If your workplace has a fridge & microwave, also consider purchasing a carton of eggs that can easily be beaten and nuked for a minute with a low-fat cheese slice for a more substantial morning protein kick.
• For snacks, buy yourself an assortment of fruit that can be kept in a bowl at your desk. Buy a couple of boxes of healthy granola bars or low fat microwave popcorn when they go on sale to satisfy your salty/sweet cravings. Or try a handful of almonds to munch on for your afternoon energy lulls.
• For lunches, try making an extra portion at dinner time to pack in a microwave safe container. Now that winter is upon us it is a perfect time to break out your crock pot and make large batches of chili, soups, and stews that can be easily frozen in individual portions.
• If you love sandwiches, try mixing it up with a variety of wraps, pitas, and whole grain breads. Choose healthy filling options such as tuna, lean meats, eggs, or cheese. To keep your bread from getting mushy, pack a baggie of extras like sprouts, lettuces, tomatoes, cucumber, or onions to be added before eating.
• Not a star in the kitchen? Frozen entrees, and canned soups can often cost considerably less than what you would spend for take out, and often have choices that are lower in fat and sodium.

LEMONS: FLAVOR, CLEAN, AND DECORATE ALL FOR UNDER A BUCK.

My kitchen drawers are filled with gizmos, many of which are seldom touched since they serve only one obvious purpose: garlic peeler, milk frother, and sushi rolling mat to name just a few. I also have single-purpose cleaners designated specifically for the bathroom, my kitchen sink, and my hardwood floors.

When I find something that can not only flavor my favorite dishes, but decorate my house, and clean my kitchen and bathroom all for less than a buck, I get excited! Here are some of my favorite and lesser-known uses for the lemon, the fruit that more often than not is seen only as a drink garnish.

- Decorate on the cheap by piling a bowl with lemons to add a prosperous looking touch to any counter or table.

- Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle it with baking soda. Clean your counters, sink, stovetop, and copper pots with this abrasive, antibacterial cleaner.

- Lemon juice mixed with vinegar is an effective cleaning solution for any surface including counters, glass, and tile.

- Liberal amounts of juice as well as the rind added to hot boozy tea help relieve a sore throat.

-Refresh your cutting boards with a squeeze of juice. Odors like garlic and onion disappear after being rubbed all over with a half lemon.

- Clean your microwave without scrubbing or chemicals by nuking a bowl filled with the juice of a lemon and a cup of water for about 5-10 minutes. The steam will loosen all the dirt which can then be easily wiped away.

- Soften and exfoliate your hands, feet, and elbows by mixing lemon pulp with sugar (brown or white) or sea salt and scrubbing. Follow up with a good moisturizer.

- Add lemon juice to any cut fruit (apples, pears, avocados) to help prevent browning.

Like an ideal roommate, lemons bake, cook, garnish and clean your life without trashing your budget or the environment. Check back in October for further ways to stretch your dollar and enhance your lifestyle.