Wichita on the Cheap

Live the Good Life for Less & Never Miss a Deal

How Cheap is Brown-Bagging It Really?

Sharing is caring!

So you know that bringing lunch to work is less expensive than eating out, but have you ever wondered–maybe while browsing the lunchmeat aisle or deli counter at the grocery store–how much it really saves you?

Len Penzo’s 2nd Annual Survey of the 10 Most Economical Sandwiches is just the kind of thing I love to find. He had the same question, and he did all the work for us. Surprisingly, the most economical sandwich in his survey turned out to be salami–I would have guessed peanut butter and jelly. His calculations bring it in at 25 cents per sandwich. But Len’s idea of a salami or bologna sandwich is pretty plain. I used Len’s numbers to come up with the cost of a bologna sandwich made the way I would like to have it:

You can see that at $1.05, this is still pretty economical. If I added chips and a few carrots sticks, I’m guessing it would still be cheaper, and a lot healthier, than the typical fast-food value meal.

Of course, some of the restaurant deals that have passed through Wichita on the Cheap give brown-bag lunches a run for their money. And sometimes it’s worth spending a few extra cents, if you have it to spend, to enjoy the convenience of eating out once in a while. But lunches made at home with love are hard to beat, and are still the cheaper option.

Latest Articles from Wichita on the Cheap:

Chicken N Pickle Summer Deals in Wichita

Chicken N Pickle Summer Deals in Wichita

Chicken N Pickle has a fun summer lineup of deals and activities in Wichita. As a mom with two daughters, I'm always looking for places

Sonic Dog Days of Summer Food Deals in July

Sonic Dog Days of Summer Food Deals in July

Hot diggity dog! If you love a good deal and a tasty bite, Sonic Drive-In has something special cooking up this month. July is National

KFC Free Fried Chicken Bucket Deal

KFC Free Fried Chicken Bucket Deal

KFC is celebrating 75 years of fried chicken greatness with a comeback offer that’s hard to pass up. From July 14 through August 17, 2025,

Domino’s Summer Pizza Deal: $9.99 Any Pizza

Domino’s Summer Pizza Deal: $9.99 Any Pizza

It’s time for a Domino's pizza party and its one of the best deals we have seen this summer! Whether you're feeding a hungry crowd,

YMCA Andover Summer Bash

YMCA Andover Summer Bash

The Andover YMCA End of Summer Bash is closing out summer with a splash and your family won’t want to miss it! Mark your calendar

Goddard Fall Festival: Carnival Rides, Fireworks & More

Goddard Fall Festival: Carnival Rides, Fireworks & More

The Goddard Fall Festival is back! If you're looking for a fun, affordable fall tradition close to home, the 2025 Goddard Fall Festival is the

Scroll to the top