Packing your lunch is the ultimate low-hanging fruit of frugality, right? It's easy, it saves a ton, and you can do it with stuff you already have laying around. Au contraire! NYT to the rescue with 5 not particularly cheap things you can buy to HELP YOU with your transition to this obvious money saving habit.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/30/smarter-living/5-cheap-ish-things-to-help-you-start-packing-your-lunch.html?fallback=0&recId=1AygPb23tesr5ii0MSMt7yXreac&locked=0&geoContinent=NA&geoRegion=OH&recAlloc=control&geoCountry=US&blockId=home-living-vi&imp_id=596554594&action=click&module=Smarter%20Living&pgtype=Homepage1) Lunchbox - NYT recommends L.L. Bean insulated lunchbox $20
"While there’s no shame in your collection of reused plastic takeout and deli containers," (right, so just use those) "There is nothing like a new container or two to bring back the fun and excitement of packing a lunch." Fun and exciting? Does packing your lunch have to be fun and exciting? I think the point is that it's practical and routine.
2) Utensils - NYT recommends 4 N 1 Utensil Set $6
"While there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a fork or spoon from the drawer and tucking it into your lunch bag," AGAIN, you've already identified the most reasonable solution. "If you don’t want to risk losing a piece of your grandma’s flatware to the office kitchen, invest in a travel set." Or maybe don't pick that particular fork? Or, like, be careful not to lose it?
3) Thermos - NYT recommends Zojiroshi Stainless Steel Food Jar $25
"For days when you want a hot lunch but you don’t have time to wait for a turn with the office microwave, nothing beats an insulated food jar." Now I feel like NYT is trolling me. You can't either just pack a sandwich on a really busy day or, I dunno, JUST WAIT IN LINE FOR 5 MINUTES?
4) Water Bottle - NYT recommends several $12-$35
An insulated water bottle will remind you to stay hydrated" because your biological thirst apparently won't do the job.
5) Lunch Bag - NYT recommends Baggu Duck Bag $32
"Early in my working days, I used and reused a small handled shopping bag to carry my lunch back and forth to work, until one memorable commute, when the paper gave way and my lunch hit the floor." Let me introduce to my good friend, the plastic grocery bag, conveyer of mountains of food since time immemorial.
So, you can spend around $100 to start packing your lunch and saving money. Or, like, just start packing your lunch.