Food Observation

The same plate of mee goreng (*) costs RM1.50 in the morning and RM4 at lunch. Why is that?

(*) Depends on your local stall. Can be substituted with Nasi goreng, Mihun goreng, ect.

Saving Money on Lunch Food

Sometimes the biggest savings you can make is your choices on food. Today we cover on us office workers' biggest daily spending - our lunches.

Of course I'd first and foremost suggest bringing your own food from home, but I myself is not a big fan of this. This is because I see daily lunches with my co-workers as a chance for us to really bond. What we have for lunch, recommendations and suggestions of food and restaurants, it's a big part of our conversation, no?

Therefore, here I'll focus on how to choose what/where to eat during our lunch breaks.

1) Mamak/ Nasi Campur stall/ equivalant - Of course, this is first choice because of the price, the atmostphere, our culture, and the range of foods available for everyone. Here's how you can save money at these establishments:

a) Get air kosong - free at most places. You'll slash RM1.00++ per day, at least, that's at least RM22 per month. If you want it cold ask for ais kosong.

b) Skimp on the expensive extras: fried chicken, fried fish, ect. Especially at that mamak places where each cost like RM3.

c) On average, noodles/mee hun/ kuey teow soups are cheaper than other dishes. My local store does it for RM3.50.

d) For nasi campur, get 1 main dish (vege preferably, cheaper), then flavour your rice with other dishes (curry from the fish head curry, ect). It still tastes good without looking cheap.

2) Fast food places/ restaurants

a) Again, ask for plain water. These places charge ridiculous prices just for water.

b) Get set meals if possible.

c) If go with friends, combine all your foods so you get lots more choices, a lot more satisfying.

d) If you want, factor in restaurant promotions and discounts.

-- Here are but some tips for cheaper lunches for office workers. There's probably more - in which case I'll update. If you have your own tip you can contribute as well, I'd love to know!

Cheaper McDonald's McValue Meal (12pm-3pm)

For a limited time, McDonald's are lowering their McValue meals, from just RM5.95 in 10 menus. I'm excited because this might ignite a bigger fast-food price war!

Sets comes with French Fries (M) and a Carbonated Drink (M), and is only valid from 12pm to 3pm every day, until promotion ends.

Click on picture for link to full menu items.

However, for the sake of it, the Chicken McNuggets set is the biggest markdown (down 36% from normal price, from RM9.35 to RM5.95!).