5 effortless B.Y.O lunches to save you money in 2019

Is buying lunch every day breaking your bank account? Even if you’re spending just $10 a day on lunch, that could add up to well over $2000 a year. By bringing your lunch to work you could be saving yourself some serious coin, and the New Year is the perfect time to set your finances straight.

Feeling uninspired for work lunch ideas? Here’s five simple lunches you can get creative with and help you save thousands:  

1. Falafel Pita Sandwich

Prep time - 15 minutes

Originating from the Middle East, the humble chickpea falafel can be found in food trucks, halal carts, often accompanied by tabouli. The Spruce Eats builds the pita bread with stuffed with falafel, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and a tahini sauce, making it an on-the-go lunch you can easily whip up before you head out the door.

2. Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Prep time - 30 minutes

Pasta lovers unite! You can’t go past this lunch idea from Good Dinner Mom, which is an earthy take on a simple pasta dish. With just six easy ingredients you can make it in no time - just cook the pasta, throw the other ingredients into a food processor and voila!

3. Sushi Rolls

Prep time - 50 minutes

Need a substantial lunch idea? Why not try your hand at making your Japanese favourites from Jamie Oliver? You can switch up the fillings from loads of variations such as chicken and avocado or salmon and cucumber, depending on your tastebuds. Assembling the rolls can be time consuming, so prep them the night before and sleep a bit longer in the morning!

4. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Prep time - 30 minutes

For a healthier alternative to a regular burrito, why not give a burrito bowl by The Recipe Critic a go? A great meal prep option, you can pick whatever veggies and protein your heart desires.

5. Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

Prep time - 25 minutes

This spicy peanut salad from Pinch of Yum is a great work lunch option as you can toss in any vegetables that you have left over in the fridge, as well as add in meat such as chicken or beef to it for a non-vego option!

Looking for a better return on the lunch savings you're storing away? Compare our list of high interest savings accounts to find an account to help grow your savings in 2019, as well as a range of other savings tips and articles.

Savings Accounts 2019 - rates updated daily

• Promoted

  UBank

  UBank

  USaver with Ultra Transaction Account

  Maximum rate

  2.10% p.a. (for $0 to $200,000)

  standard interest rate

  1.04% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)

  account fee per month

  $0.00

  Go to site

  *Bonus interest only applies on funds held in linked USaver account if $200 deposited into either account in the previous month from an external source and the combined balance is less than $200,000.

• Promoted

  IMB Bank

  IMB Bank

  Reward Saver Account

  Maximum rate

  2.00% p.a. (for $5,000 and over)

  standard interest rate

  0% p.a.(for $0 and over)

  account fee per month

  $0.00

  Go to site

  *Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Reverts to bonus rate of 0.90% after the first 4 months.

• Promoted

  Suncorp

  Suncorp

  Growth Saver Account

  Maximum rate

  1.95% p.a. (for $0 and over)

  standard interest rate

  0.20% p.a.(for $0 and over)

  account fee per month

  $0.00

  Go to site

  *Grow your balance by $200 or more and make no more than one withdrawal in the month.

• Promoted

  Bankwest

  Bankwest

  Hero Saver

  Maximum rate

  1.85% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

  standard interest rate

  0.01% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)

  account fee per month

  $0.00

  Go to site

  *Minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month.

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  Promoted

  HSBC

  HSBC

  Serious Saver

  Maximum rate

  2.35% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)

  standard interest rate

  0% p.a.(for $0 and over)

  account fee per month

  $0.00

  Go to site

  *No withdrawals in the month. Bonus rate for first 4 months, reverting to 0.45% bonus rate after*