Most workers prefer to eat lunch outside the office as a way to treat themselves for all the hard work that they have done. But for some, brown bagging it to work is the only way to go as it saves money in the long run, and this habit also makes one in control of what he or she eats during the day.

Many people would find lots of excuses not to bring a packed lunch to work every day, as some may say that they don’t have the time to do it in the morning, or they don’t have the skill to cook a great-tasting meal. However, given all the good reasons why you should tote your lunch to the office, it just makes sense to make the extra effort to do it every day.

Bringing your lunch to work can save you a lot of money, and workers can save as much as $200 a month or more if one skipped purchasing lunch in delis, fast-food chains, or restaurants. Moreover, having a packed lunch saves you a lot of time, as you don’t need to line up with the rest of the lunch crowd to get your food. This means that you have more time to enjoy your food, and the extra time can be devoted to having a quick nap or maybe going for a short walk around the block before continuing your work day.

Having a packed lunch with you also ensures that your food doesn’t go to waste, as you can pack last night’s leftovers and dress it up to make your lunch. You can also control the food that goes into your body, and you can make healthy choices for your lunch every day.

Here are a few tips on how to pack your lunch for work.

Prepare your lunch the day before your work day

If you don’t feel like waking up early every morning to prepare your lunch, then you can always make some extra dinner and pack up the leftovers to enjoy the next day. You can also prepare your lunch the day before and store it in a plastic microwaveable container in the refrigerator so you can just grab it and go.

Bring your lunch in a great container

You can use plastic or glass Tupperware, or for a fun twist, consider using bento boxes for your lunch. Opt to bring your lunch in an insulated lunch bag so food stays fresh until lunch time.

Learn how to reuse last night’s leftovers

If you had rotisserie chicken last night and have plenty left over for lunch the next day, you can slice the chicken and have it in a sandwich or add some shredded pieces to a salad. Or stuff the chicken into a pita pocket, add vegetables and a dollop of any salad dressing that you like, and you’ve got a healthy meal.

Go for a picnic lunch and bring fuss-free food to work

Instead of eating at your desk, why not have a picnic outdoors? Bring an old blanket, and pack a baguette, some cheese, olives, cherry tomatoes, and some sliced chicken or ham. Pasta salads that don’t need to be reheated will also be very satisfying for a picnic lunch. Don’t forget to bring bottled water and a dessert, such as a piece of fruit or some brownies to make your lunch time even more special.

For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s tips on how to look good for work while on a budget.