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5 Tips for Packing Cheap (And Healthy) School Lunches

By U.S. News & World Report

An elementary school lunch costs an average $2.18 per day or about $43 per month, according to the School Nutrition Association. Although it doesn’t seem costly for just one student, it quickly adds up if you have a larger family. Fortunately, you can majorly cut costs by packing lunch. But to really save big you must shop and pack smart. Read on for a few simple tips that will help you save.

Preserve Like a Pro

When groceries go to waste it’s like flushing dollars down the toilet. Fruits and vegetables can be expensive and spoil fairly quickly, so you shouldn’t buy more than you need. If you find a bargain in bulk make sure you have a game plan to preserve the food with methods like canning or freezing. Otherwise, stick with a portion your family can eat within just a few weeks.

Also try to stick to fruits and veggies that stay fresh for a long time to get your money’s worth. For instance, apples, oranges, celery and carrots are economical. If you keep them in the fridge they can last several weeks. On the other hand, grapes, peaches, pears and plums don’t stay fresh as long. Other lunch staples, such as bread and granola, can be bought in bulk and stored in the freezer. Just don’t keep them frozen for too long, or they’ll get freezer burn.

Ditch Prepackaged Snacks

Prepackaged snacks and pre-made lunch products can be budget busters. In fact, buying prepackaged foods for lunches may cost more money than buying lunch from the school each month. Many packaged foods also contain mystery preservatives that aren’t so healthy.

Pass on the store snacks and get crafty. Experiment with homemade granola bars and other baked goods. There are tons of unique and healthy DIY recipes on Pinterest that you can make in bulk. Or check out these snack ideas from U.S. News Health. If you’re low on time, you can also go the simple route and make easy snacks like apples with peanut butter or carrots with dip. Of course, your children may enjoy a special treat like pretzels or chips once in a while, and that’s OK, too. Just buy the entire bag instead of the snack size, and portion it yourself to make the snack last longer.

Invest in Quality Carriers

Look for a sturdy lunch carrier with snack compartments to avoid spending cash on bags or disposable Tupperware. If you can’t find an affordable bag with compartments you can also buy durable plastic containers to fit inside.

Versatile bags that can hold both hot and cold items are the best bang for your buck and will add more variety to your menu. Not every child is a fan of cold sandwiches, and the same lunch every day can get boring. An insulated container can carry hot meals like hot dogs and macaroni to switch it up.

Lastly, skip plastic water bottles and expensive juice boxes. Get a thermos or bottle for drinks that you can refill each day. You may have to spend a little extra money upfront on quality lunch carriers, but they’ll last you a long time.

Plan for Your Leftovers

A container for hot food is also perfect for packing leftovers, which is easy and affordable. Choose dinner recipes during the week that can double as a lunch for the next day. You may even be able to repurpose meals into entirely new dishes. Most meats can easily transition into a sandwich with some bread, spread and added veggies. Get creative and the options are endless.

Make It a Habit

Sure, you may want to save money packing lunch, but sometimes finding the motivation is half the battle. This is especially true if you’re accustomed to falling back on school lunches. We all know weekday mornings are hectic, and sending your kids off with cash is convenient. Still, cutting costs with homemade lunches can be easy if you prepare in advance.

Plan and prep meals for the entire week during the weekend. Ask your kids for input on the menu, and devote a few hours on Sunday to preparing it. Then each weekday morning (or even the night before) portion out what you’ve already made to toss in a lunch bag. Do it consistently, and packing will become habitual in no time.

Most kids will agree there’s nothing better than a meal from home to look forward to when they’re hungry in the afternoon. So a packed lunch is a win for your wallet and a win for your budding scholar this school year.

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5 Tips for Packing Cheap (And Healthy) School Lunches originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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