Lunch Hack: Grow Your Savings

u/WorkBee · Joined Oct 2024

Discover how packing lunch just a few days a month could grow your savings—and even boost your investment potential. Small choices, big returns!

Last update Oct 2024
  • Scenario 1: 15 Bagged Lunches per Month
  • Scenario 2: 10 Bagged Lunches per Month
  • Scenario 3: 5 Bagged Lunches per Month

See how small changes add up over time. This chart shows the growth potential of bagging lunch 5, 10, or 15 days a month, highlighting how each choice affects long-term investment gains from the savings generated each month.

# Years from Now

Try your numbers:


Enter the average cost per lunch when you bring it from home. This cost will help calculate your monthly savings compared to dining out.

A =

Enter the typical cost per lunch when eating out. This amount, compared to your bagged lunch, shows potential savings to invest each month.

B =
Confirm Delete

Are you sure you want to delete ": "?

  • Amount
    Any single amount ($).
  • Cash Flow
    Rent, insurance premium, salary, ...
  • Current Asset
    Real estate, commodity, bonds, ...
  • Installment Loan
    Mortgage, car loan, ...
  • Percentage
    Any percentage value (%).
  • Years / Months
    Any time horizon.
  • Age
    Show "Age" instead of "# Years from Now."
  • Retirement Age (requires Age)
    Enable "Investment Return After Retirement."

Time Value Assumptions

Heads Up!

If you're using Cost Basis (cb) for calculating capital gains:

Please be aware that very few countries currently use inflation-indexed cost basis. Double-check your local tax rules before publishing.

Scroll up to view updated chart.

Not exactly what you want?

How is Cash Value calculated?

Calculates monthly savings by swapping lunch out for bagged lunch 15 days a month, then projects potential investment growth over time.

Decisions / Expectations

(Expressions are evaluated at Year 0 only.)

=
Now
Follow Inflation
=
Now
Follow Inflation

Calculations

(Expressions are evaluated at every year.)

=
Confirm Delete

Are you sure you want to delete ": "?

Add Decision or Expectation
  • Buy Asset
    Buy an asset growing at its own rate.
  • Take Installment Loan
    Take a mortgage, loan, etc.
  • Invest
    Receive/Spend a lump sum.
  • Expect to Invest
    Expect to receive/spend a lump sum.
  • Expect Monthly Cash Flow
    Expect to receive/spend cash monthly.
  • Expect Yearly Cash Flow
    Expect to receive/spend cash yearly.
  • Define Variable (Numerical)
    Calculate an intermediate value.
Add Intermediate Calculation
  • Define Variable (Numerical)
    Calculate an intermediate value.
  • Define Variable (Cash Flow)
    Calculate a combined cash flow.