Dreaming of a summer holiday? Become a savvy lunch maker and start saving the bucks you need for your December getaway.
Sure, your colleague’s cheeseburger and chips smell amazing. But you’ve got something better: an expertly packed, nutritious lunch that was carefully planned and budgeted for. Not convinced? That homemade lunch will help you pay for your year-end break. Now we’re talking! We all know that the little things add up to a lot on our bank statements, but it can be so difficult to break the habit of a daily latte at the corner coffee shop. Armed with your RCS Store Card and this action plan, you can stop overspending and start googling beach destinations.
STEP 1: PLAN IT
Whether you’re planning a week of meals for yourself or your whole family, a little forethought is required for a successful lunch meal plan. So, grab a notebook and pen (the ones from Typo are great), and jot down the meals you plan to make for the week. Since the aim of the game is to save money, look for ingredients you can buy in bulk such as mince, chicken and vegetables, and use them in more than one recipe. How about lasagne on Monday and chilli con carne on Thursday? Best of all, you can swipe your RCS Store Card at any Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite or Spar to get all the groceries you need.
STEP 2: PREP IT
Making a big casserole in a slow cooker (Russell Hobbs 6.5L Slow Cooker, R649, Game) can serve as dinner one night and leftovers for lunch the next day. Roast a chicken for chicken mayo sandwiches or a tasty salad. Popcorn makes the perfect healthy snack and with the Smartlife Popcorn Maker (R289, Clicks) you can make mountains of the stuff for the cost of a bag of kernels (R15.49, Pick n Pay). To keep your meals fresh, quality storage containers are a must. We love the Homemax Rectangular Glass Containers that are airtight, heat resistant and freezer friendly (from R249.95, Homemark).
STEP 3: PACK IT
Part of a successful lunch is having the right on-the-go storage to prevent spills. The Smartlife Salad Bowl (R59.99, Clicks) has compartments, a reusable fork and a dressing container. Handy hint: For a sturdier salad, swap lettuce for quinoa or barley. Layer cereal, fruit and yoghurt in the Smartlife Yoghurt Cup (R48.99, Clicks). It has a gel freezer disc to keep your food cool so you can have a fabulous 3pm snack. The Mepal Bento Lunchbox (R329, @home) is stylish, practical and great for school. Finally, reduce plastic waste by picking up a Metal Drink Bottle to keep your water cooler for longer (R299.99, Cotton On) and get that all-important leakproof, insulated coffee mug (Cape Union Travel Mug, R125, Cape Union Mart).
SAVE MONEY, EAT BETTER
Skip the takeout queues and swipe your RCS Store Card to get everything you need for a healthy, homemade lunch. With an RCS Card, you have access to a shopping network of over 26 000 retailers. You’ll also enjoy affordable monthly instalments with flexible repayment options and up to 55 days interest-free. Don’t have an RCS Store Card? Apply today.
*Prices were correct at time of publication, but are subject to changes.
