TANSTAAFL (but coupons make it cheaper)

That’s right, there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. But I’ve narrowed it down to $5 or less. Plus, there are lots of strategies you can use to lower your costs of eating out.

So, you’ve heard me preach about the importance of taking your lunch to work or school. But let’s be honest, we can’t always be prepared. There are those days when you forget your lunch or leave it on the streetcar (I have done both of these things) or days when you just feel like having a break. So here are some tips of where to eat when you just want a quick, cheap lunch.

1. Subway. Your best buy: A 6” cold cut sub for $2.09

Subway just lowered their prices, which means that their subs are even more affordable now! Their footlong cold cut sub now comes to – including taxes in Ontario – to $5.18. If you split this with a friend and eat just a footlong, your entire lunch comes to $2.09, including tax. Simply fill up your reusable water bottle at the water cooler. My suggestion is to bring some pop and snacks, like fruit, and keep it at your desk. These drinks and snacks mean you can avoid buying the over-priced chips and fountain drinks.

If you live in the States, go to Subway’s website and you can get updates on promotions sent straight to your cell phone.

2. Wendy’s. Your best buy: Chicken nugget meal for $4.14

At Wendy’s you can get a chicken nugget meal, that comes with 5 nuggets, a side (I suggest the chili as it is one of your more filling and healthy options) and a drink. Plus, if you sign up for Wendy’s survey, you get a coupon! I just got a coupon in my email today for $1 off flavour dipped chicken sandwiches.

3. Pizza Pizza. Your best buy: Use a coupon for a 2-for-1 pepperoni slice! This coupon is only available to “members” but it only takes a second to sign up and you can print the coupon instantly. And lately, Pizza Pizza has been selling slices for $1 for the United Way in Toronto subway stations.

4. Quiznos. Not necessarily your cheapest option but they are currently offering a coupon for free chips and a fountain drink when you buy a footlong sub. Just sign up and they will email you a printable coupon.

5. Any Vietnamese Pho place will offer a delicious, steaming hot bowl of Pho for about $4.50 including tax. Prices will depend on where you go, but you most typically fall under the $5 range.

Other tips:

6. Sit at the bar: If you go to a restaurant during a busy hour, save by sitting at the bar. Some restaurants, such as New Generation Sushi, offer you 15% off for sitting at the bar during peak hours.

7. Go early in the week: Many pubs will have deals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Seek out these deals and you can treat yourself to beer and wings at half the normal cost.

8. Eat Family Style. If you eat at a Chinese restaurant, for example, order fewer dishes and split them with your colleagues. You waste less, enjoy more variety, and pay less.

9. Order simple items. For example, you can order toast or a bagel at an all-day-breakfast place, with peanut butter and jam. It might not be a very filling lunch, but if you bring your own snacks to supplement your hunger, it just might get you through the day on under $1.