After the 1st quarter we get a 3 week Fall Break. I began to get irritated at all the plastic bags in his lunch box after 2 weeks. So my research began on containers to pack his lunch in that I can wash and reuse. I decided to get the ziploc 3 compartment containers... those are now my "EMERGENCY" or "FIELD TRIP" go to. They gave up, where the line divider is on the width part, it gets and odd shape after you pull it off. Mine were done after a week, It couldn't latch on at all. So I began to look at what people call "Bento".
I found Laptop Lunches due to their price $23.99 for their Bento Box!!!. I got my bento set the last day of school before break. I was super excited to see it in the mail box (fast fast shipping). I got up 3 weeks later and packed my son an awesome lunch in his new lunch container. I loved it and it paid itself off in 1 month compared to plastic bags. I was super sad to lose the container month later. So back to plastic bags for me and griping about the costs.
I decided to try a Planet box bento system next. This was an expense I wrestled with for a few months actually. I wanted the Rover Complete which is $59.95. I had to do the math to justify the cost associated with it. The container came with a 5 year warranty which I was super excited to have
Here is my break down.
Let's go off a 4 week month of 20 days of school. I bought the Target brand sandwich ziploc bags and 100 came to a box which were $2.64. I packed 4 bags a lunch (sandwich, fruit, veggie, and a small treat or snack) So I got 25 lunches a box and at 9 months a year (just lunches not anything extra and breakfasts it was getting costly) I kept losing track so then I just starting writing the dates on the boxes when I got them. I was getting a box every 1.5 weeks! So 2 a month, it was costing me $47.52 a school year ( 9 months and that doesn't include summer).
So now that the boring stuff is over, I broke down and ordered the Rover from Planet Box. I am super happy with the container again like the Laptop Bento. I love each container for their own individual reasons, it really depends on the meal and the purpose I need it for. I can say financially, there is major major advantages to using containers over plastic bags. If you follow me on Instagram with what I post for my son's lunches you can see sandwiches are there but not often. My son loves getting meals from home that he loves. Stir Fry is his favorite, macaroni and cheese, and Turkey Meatballs. His lunches are famous with a few of the teachers they have to see what he has. For me, I know what he is eating and he eats it all.
There are a TON of lunch containers. Ziploc, Laptop Lunches, Planet Box, Yumbox, Easy Lunch Containers, Lunch Bots I haven't used all of these, but I have read reviews. I know tons of bloggers who use different containers. I am building my collection, it depends on your needs and wants. it also depends on your child's age. Some coordination is needed to open some of the containers, keep in mind if your school will help. (Yes, some won't help open a lunch container... shocking to me)
If you are on the fence on ordering containers, take into account your costs and number of kids. I only have 1 whom I pack lunch and breakfast for. Keep track in your own way for your budget. I am not a couponer so I can't get all the bags on sale. I don't have the patience with potty training of my toddler. Keep in mind what works for you and if you don't like it... there is Ebay or a friend who you can give it to.
If you have any questions please feel free to comment here or use the email me link.
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