I don't see where brown bagging it costs less....
Here's my breakdown of what I spend for DH's lunches:

2 loaves of bread @ 50 c each = $1
cheese - 1/2 lb @ $5.99/lb = $3
lunchmeat - 2 lb @ $5/lb = $10
pretzels - 1 bag @ $2.00 = $2
water - (3 jugs separated into bottles for each day) = $2
fresh fruit - 1+ lbs apples @ $1.70/lb = $3
fresh fruit - bananas 2 lbs @ 50c/lb = $4
peanut butter - FREE through WIC
gatorade - 5 @ $1 each = $5
granola bars - box of 6 = $3
TOTAL: $35 for one week! That's $7 per lunch! Granted, if he went to BK, he would spend $8 on a triple whopper meal, which is not good for him at all, but I always though brown bagging it was CHEAPER. No wonder my grocery budget was blown last paycheck -- my budget is $125/pay, including all cleaning/hygiene/baby items. I spent $70 just on his lunches! Add $20 for diapers/wipes and suddenly I have $35 left for two weeks worth of groceries..

__________________

This is why I happily pay for my daughter to eat school lunches. Overall, I couldn't make them for much less and for me it's a huge time-saver.

However, I send my dh to work with a container of leftovers occasionally. For us, it's much more economical than him eating out (and usually healthier, too).

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

My sh always gets leftovers whether he liked the meal or not! MEAN WIFE

meant to say dh!!

I make the bare minimum needed to feed us for meals; if I make any excess and save it, DH usually will eat it between the time it hits the fridge and when I go to pack his lunch.

__________________

For my dd usually school lunch is cheaper (unless she is going to pick the sunbutter option). As for your dh at least it's healthier for him than artery clogging fast food. Would your dh switch to sliced cheese that's cheaper?

How much does it cost to buy lunches? Just trying to compare how much it costs per child for both bagged and bought.
Looking at your list, If I was to look for ways to save, I would not buy the lunch meat, granola bars, water or gatorade.
I would probably make some cheese sandwiches, pb&j and probably bake muffins jello or cookies. I'd use a thermos or sports bottle for Iced tea, juice, tap water. It's only one meal they can get plenty of milk or whatever at home. I'd probably send in a thermos with leftovers. I'd cut the fresh fruit in half and buy raisins or maybe baby carrots which may run cheaper. Here is a link to other lunch ideas:
Hillbilly Housewife

__________________
"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Well, I think you can buy all that stuff much cheaper. We buy lunch meat reduced for less than $1 a pound, gatorade can be bought in powder form which is cheaper, generic brands of pretzels can be bought for $1 and generic granola bars can also be bought cheaper. Cheese can be bought in packages of slices for cheaper by the pound. No way to save on the fruit that I can think of unless you buy canned fruit but I know we buy (except for gatorade) the other stuff routinely for a lot less. And water you can get out of the tap. Just some suggestions. Plus, food prices may be higher where you live than they are where I live so that's another consideration. Maybe you are buying the cheapest foods you can and still are spending that much. Is there anyway he can take a plate of leftovers for lunch - that would be cheaper too.

Dh has been taking Michelina's lean gourmets. They're $0.98 a piece and since we're dieting, it helps w/ deciding what he eats and if he's in a hurry, he doesn't have to make anything in the morning. He also takes a fat free pudding (aldi's brand) for a snack. We buy the great value crystal light mix and he takes a water bottle full every day. That's about 1.80 (pudding)+5.00(lean gourmets)+1.76(drink mix)=8.56 a week. I'd say that's pretty good.

LOL -

I am a Mean Wife Cause I Just Casually Read this as " stupid husband"


I was thinking -
OOh A new name to call mine!!:



Anyway -
i Agree with the Packing and Buying Lunch issue.
I Do a Bit of Both for My Kids and My "Dear" Husband.

Time is often a Factor I Have to Consider - and when I Do Pack I Make sure it is Cheap stuff - since they Don't Pack too much , I Dont' Care and They don't Care either.
DH can come home for lunch , Kids can Have a PB sandwich , Fruit and Pretzals , Which Is CHEAP!
I am a Big fan of Balancing - I figure about 8 times a Month I Am Saving - close to 30.00 in their lunch accounts by just quickly sending them with healthy stuff I can Find around here. quickly!
Same with Dh , If he is Low on cash , He comes home , or takes what he can Find.

Going out and Trying to Make great Healthy Meals doesn't Work Cheaply for us!

This Morning My kids Took
mandarin oranges
wheat Crackers
String cheese
A Couple homemade cookies
carrot Sticks and Ranch dressing