Easy Brown Bag Lunches

Monday: Hard boiled eggs take 10 minutes and can be made the night before and stored in the fridge for several days. Add rice cakes, which comes in various flavors such as chocolate, caramel, apple cinnamon, etc. It's a healthy choice the kids will like.
Approximate monthly cost: $6

Tuesday: Yogurt is great, and Greek yogurt is an even better option. There are lots of fun flavors, but it's important to look at the sugar content on the nutrition label. Add a little bag of a healthy cereal, such as Cheerios, Mini-Wheats, Kix, Raisin Bran, etc. to make their lunch complete. 
Approximate monthly cost: $7

Wednesday: Smucker's natural creamy peanut butter contains just peanuts and a pinch of salt, and can cost about $3 a jar, but there are more economical peanut butters available. Nuts provide your child with lots of energy for the day. While picking a jelly, it's important to look at the sugar content. Squeezable jelly saves time, but the fastest and cheapest PB&J can be made with a Smucker's PB&J Stripes where both ingredients are combined in one jar. Slap it on whole wheat bread and you've got yourself a sandwich! Toss in a piece of fruit to finish it off.
Approximate monthly cost: $9-13

Thursday: Using some whole wheat bread, add a couple slices of cheese. To take this sandwich up a notch, include some deli meat. Turkey is one of the best cold cuts to use, but meat can get pricey. Look for the cold cuts on sale that week or replace the meat with some vegetables, which can also be a great side. Pack some veggies on the side like carrots or celery 
Approximate monthly cost: $9-14

Friday:Throw in a yogurt and a couple of rice cakes and call it a week!
Approximate monthly cost: $7

String cheese or another variety of cheese can be added to any of these lunches or as an additional snack during the day.

Don't forget the drink! Fill up a reusable bottle with water at the beginning of the day. This will help save cost and the environment, while keeping your child hydrated.

1 month comparison:

Packing lunches: $38

Cafeteria lunches: $66