Money Talks Monday (2/26/18)

Does anyone remember the days of the Flintstones, Barbie, Spiderman, or Hot Wheels lunch boxes?

In this modern world, those lunch boxes are not such a bad idea. According to statistical data from the United States Treasury, the average employee working five days a week spends $91.53 a week on lunch alone when dining out. Whether picking up a combo from a fast food establishment or ordering from the lunch menus at casual dining restaurants, or even eating in the employer’s cafeteria, the cost of eating out adds up quickly.

The average fast food combo meal is $7.29 and the average casual dining lunch menu, before gratuity, is $9.12. While employee cafeterias only average $5.93 a meal, this is still much more than those who pack a lunch box. In comparison, the average lunch-boxer spends $11.94 per week on lunch. The difference is staggering. Eating out nationally averages almost $400 a month while bringing lunch averages just over $40 a month. Seeing these statistics validates the smart choice of packing a lunch.

Additionally, there are tremendous health benefits too. The Center for Disease Control reports statistics that those who pack lunch average 60 points lower on their cholesterol level than those who routinely eat out for lunch. For this Money Talks Monday I am encouraging all people to dust off those old lunch boxes and start on a path of financial and physical health! Your heart and wallet will thank you! #MissAmericaServes #NC #MoneyTalksMonday #MissMetrolina