Brown Bag It

In a down economy, you might be looking to reduce debt by cutting home expenses or curbing entertainment and travel spending. There’s an easier way, though few people take advantage of it, according to the New York Times.

Today, with dual-income families and little free time for cooking, eating out has become the norm. A restaurant meal costs at least three times as much as a home-cooked one. You know you often step out of the office with co-workers for a $12 salad or a $4 cup of coffee. Spending upwards of $20 per day on meals is not uncommon. Try bringing your lunch for a week, or stocking up and prepping meals during the weekend for quick and tasty dinners at home. Leave the credit card at home if that will help you avoid spending money on food while you're out and about. You'll have eaten a healthier meal, and saved money to put toward paying off your debts as well. [New York Times]