Here's why I won't start packing a lunch any time soon (except if I have leftovers that is). This article on lifehacker.com: "Save $988 per year by packing your lunch." $1000 saved by packing a lunch!? That's a lot lower than I thought. If you're making $50,000 gross that's only 2% of gross income. Make $100,000 and that's 1%. That seems pretty insignificant to me. I used to think about bringing a lunch to save money but I'm not so sure anymore. There are some big advantages to going out for lunch with coworkers: Networking, talking about work-related ideas but outside of work, and socializing, and if the difference is only $1000 per year I don't have any huge motivation to change. You also have to factor in the extra time spent preparing decent-tasting lunches and extra grocery shopping. As far as efficiency goes, leftovers are a smarter idea because you just have a cook a bit more than usual the night before which doesn't take any more time.