How to cut costs on your child's school lunches!

So it's back to school time and whilst many breathe a sigh of relief, some of us endure the continuous struggle of keeping our kid's lunchboxes healthy and budget friendly. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your kids and your wallet happy.

Tip 1:
Limit a tuckshop or canteen bought lunch for your kids to one a month. It's a special treat that way! And it means you don't spend money on food you can prepare at home yourself.

Tip 2:
Buy a pack of 6 juice boxes from the supermarket and use one a day instead of giving your child money to buy a juice at school. Or, you can decant orange juice from a larger bottle into a re-usable drink bottle. Or go for good old fashion, free water.

Tip 3:
Popcorn makes for a yummy treat! Pop it at the beginning of the week and bag it up into Ziploc bags or re-usable containers (with lid). Too easy.

Tip 4:
Home made cookies are a fantastic way to give your little sweet tooth what they want, without costing the earth. Try the Lunchbox Cookie recipe below - it's cheap and oh so easy.

Tip 5:
Make your own fruit in jelly! It's easy... simply pop some homebrand jelly crystals in your trolley. After you've made it up, divide it into some small re-usable containers (with lid) and pop in some diced apple or pear, Refrigerate individually (without the lid) and when you're ready to send it off to school, replace the lid and include a spoon.

Tip 6:
Skip those expensive cheese sticks and cut cubes from the block.

Tip 7:
Re-usable is best! When you think about how much money you are THROWING away (literally) you will be gobsmacked. Buy a good quality lunch box and re-usable containers and use instead of sandwich bags! You could save $16.00 a year per child just on wrapping!

Lunchbox Cookies Recipe
Makes 24 Lunchbox Cookies

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 12 - 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup milk powder
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 cup dates, chopped
150g butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200C
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl
3. Add the butter and egg
4. Mix together with a large spoon
5. Shape spoonfuls into balls and place onto a baking paper lined oven tray
6. Flatten with a fork or the bottom of a glass
7. Bake at 200C for 12 - 15 minutes

Head over to www.bargainmums.com.au to join the discussion about how YOU cut costs on your child's lunchbox fillings!