Grabbing a meal deal for lunch is a common practice among UK office workers, and you may well have done it yourself from time to time. After all, it’s quick, convenient and seems affordable at first glance. However, when you tally up the daily expenses over a year, the numbers might surprise you, so read on to find out more.
Breaking Down the Numbers
According to recent data, the average cost of a meal deal in the UK is approximately £3.79. If you purchase one every working day, that’s about £18.94 per week. Over the course of a standard 48-week working year, this amounts to £909. Shocking, isn’t it?
Of course, different supermarkets offer varying prices for their meal deals. For example, The Co-Op meal deal is priced at £4.00, leading to an annual cost of £960. Tesco’s meal deal stands at £3.90, totalling £936 annually. Sainsbury’s offers theirs at £3.75, equating to £900 per year, while Morrisons provides the most economical option at £3.50, resulting in £840 annually.
The Alternative: Home-made Lunches
Opting to prepare your own lunch can lead to significant savings, and by purchasing ingredients to make a simple sandwich, a packet of crisps and a drink, the weekly cost can be reduced to approximately £9.33. This translates to an annual expense of £448, saving you £472 compared to buying meal deals daily.
The Rise of Home-made Office Lunches
The cost-of-living crisis has prompted many workers to reconsider their lunchtime habits, and there’s a growing trend of employees bringing home-made meals to work, not only to save money but also to have better control over their dietary choices. This shift has led to a decline in the popularity of traditional meal deals, as workers seek healthier and more cost-effective alternatives for their office lunches, including delivery from places like crumbsdelivered.co.uk/shop/office-lunch-delivery/.
Conclusion
While meal deals offer convenience, the annual costs can add up significantly, and by preparing lunches at home or having them delivered, you can make substantial savings and potentially enjoy healthier meals.
