Take that per diem to the bank! Or at least make your food budget stretch further

So you have to travel for work? Maybe you're a truck driver or construction worker, or maybe you just have to drive a lot for work. Fast food or gas station food can get spends and while $5 or $10 a meal might not seem like much when you're buying food, it can add up fast. If you eat out every day just for lunch you could be saving close to $2000 a year by bringing your own lunch. That could be a nice getaway or part of a kitchen remodel. Now add in that if you're on the road a lot you are probably buying more than just lunch and the amount you can save keeps climbing.

Let's now also assume you get paid per diem. You know, that extra money they give you to buy food. Why not spend a lot less and take the rest of that money to the bank?? Now you are saving hot original $2000 plus an extra $20-$50 a day depending on where you're working and what per diem is. With that kind of money, you could afford a total kitchen remodel or a week at sandals. What are your dreams worth??

Let's look at a few meal ideas for eating on the go. If you have a cooler, your options are almost limitless. Why not pack a salad or tuna sandwich or leftovers from last night? Even pizza can be good cold. Yogurt and string cheese make great snacks too and when you buy them at a grocery store or in bulk you will save big time.

No cooler? No problem. Bring canned food. Ravioli or spaghetti and meat balls can be heated in the can on your truck or equipment engine. Just be sure to open the can before heating and use a hr pad (or sweatshirt) to remove from engine once warm. Please use caution if using this method not to burn yourself. 

Don't want warm food? Bring a can of tuna to eat with bread. Fresh fruit and veggies also makes great additions and many times can last a few days without refrigeration, but again this depends on the produce and hot warm it is. Don't eat anything that seems like it has gone bad. I usually pack an apple and some cherry tomatoes for snacks when I go out. Granola bars, dried fruit, or peanuts also make great easy to pack snacks that are healthy and fairly cheap. Try shopping at a club store for extra saving by buying in bulk. 

Finally, if you're still having problems you can always fall back on a good old peanut butter sandwich. Peanut butter and bread last well for days in a vehicle and provide a good source of protein to keep you going. Are your dreams worth a couple peanut butter sandwiches?? I know mine are. 

Do you have good on the go food ideas?? We'd love to hear them.

 

A few cost breakdowns:

 

This is assuming you are trying to eat cheaply when you go to fast food or the gas station. It also assumes a $30/day per diem. The first table shows the savings by shopping at a wholesale club vs grocery store. The second table compares the per diem you are keeping depending on your meal choices. This doesn't include a nutrition comparison, which would likely show lower calorie and sodium intake on the meals brought from home.

 

Hornbachers used store brand ravioli and Sams used Chef Boyardee.