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Original poster

I need to stop eating at Pret

264 replies

CherryBlossomPie · 12/04/2025 20:06

I cannot afford it. I'm living like its the 00s and its not. Its 2025 and I need to just save the money.

If I invested the £7 a day I spend there do you know how much I'd have in 16 years when I turn 60?

£53,000.

Anyone else up for a starting from scratch to stop eating lunch out thread?

OP posts:
notatinydancer · 14/04/2025 13:12

despairdespair · 12/04/2025 23:43

I work in a care home that has stopped providing food for the staff,these people work 12 hour shifts,some work 3-4 shifts in a row get to work at 7 am and leave at 730 pm !! Can you imagine trying to think about breakfast,lunch and supper for these kind ,caring individuals.
They are so bloody exhausted at 8pm ,how can they then start thinking about the next meal for next day !
They just live on sandwiches,doughnuts,sausage rolls that they grab from local supermarket …if they have the time to buy it ..fresh food is not on their menu apart from fruit..
These lovely people cannot afford what they are paying for, but they need to exist !

Edited

I work 12 hour shifts. You have to think about it , I take in breakfast, lunch and dinner too.
Always sort it out the night before.

Tgan · 14/04/2025 13:19

I need this thread! Pret on one side of the office, Greggs on the other and a cafe inside 🙈 and nearly a fiver for a coffee now 🤯

it costs a fortune and I need to stop, bought my own lunch today (chicken and rice) and it was much nicer and filling as well as loads cheaper (£2.68). I’m working from home for next 2 days so should be loads cheaper!

Definitely joining in :)

rookiemere · 14/04/2025 13:24

Lascivious · 14/04/2025 11:36

Pret soups are the only reason I go into the office! I love them.

As others have said, Too Good to Go bags are totally worth doing if you can be bothered.

But aren’t the Too Good to Go bags only available near/after closing time , so wouldn’t be any use for lunch? Sorry I haven’t done it myself so don’t know how it works.

RedFatball · 14/04/2025 13:25

I have done much better since working on an industrial estate with no easy access to shops. Nearest place to get food is 1.2km walk each way and you don't dare give up your parking space to drive...

We have just had a freezer with heathy microwave meals installed, I am resorting to these more often but they are £3.50 so not too hideous

i do need to do better though, prep breakfast would be good

BurntBroccoli · 14/04/2025 13:46

I used to love Pret sandwiches but the last one I had was tasteless and dry. M & S egg and tomato used to be my favourite too but that was horrible the last time I had it with rock hard bland tomatoes.

Just make my own nowadays .

latetothefisting · 14/04/2025 13:52

despairdespair · 12/04/2025 23:43

I work in a care home that has stopped providing food for the staff,these people work 12 hour shifts,some work 3-4 shifts in a row get to work at 7 am and leave at 730 pm !! Can you imagine trying to think about breakfast,lunch and supper for these kind ,caring individuals.
They are so bloody exhausted at 8pm ,how can they then start thinking about the next meal for next day !
They just live on sandwiches,doughnuts,sausage rolls that they grab from local supermarket …if they have the time to buy it ..fresh food is not on their menu apart from fruit..
These lovely people cannot afford what they are paying for, but they need to exist !

Edited

what a weird post
nobody is debating the important job care workers do, but they
a) aren't ALL lovely caring angels
b) aren't automatically MORE exhausted than doctors or police officers or warehouse workers or anyone else that does 12hr shifts

Presuming they work normal hours weekly and not loads of overtime, they are only working the same 36hrs in total as anyone else working 9-5, 5 days a week, which means they have two full extra days to do what they like. Spending half an hour once a week organising their meals for the next 3 days shouldn't be beyond them.

It's actually easier and quicker, let alone cheaper, to heat a can of soup (or buy a thermos and bring it in pre heated) or pre-make cheese sandwiches and then store in freezer, (can even use toastie bag to heat in a toaster), or eat yesterdays dinner leftovers or even a pot noodle, and have snacks like crisps, nuts, granola with greek yoghurt, home made flapjacks, than go to greggs or the supermarket on a 30 minute lunch break.

Lascivious · 14/04/2025 14:05

rookiemere · 14/04/2025 13:24

But aren’t the Too Good to Go bags only available near/after closing time , so wouldn’t be any use for lunch? Sorry I haven’t done it myself so don’t know how it works.

Show quote history

Yes, but you can pick it up at 3 and have 3 lunches for the next day or 2.

hairyunicorn · 14/04/2025 14:06

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 14/04/2025 12:58

The £12 per day is a benefit in kind btw so you'll be taxed on it. I've worked somewhere where they paid for parking and lunches.

Show quote history

Yes, we are taxed on the £12:00, but i don't mind. It's still an amazing benefit...

Magnificentbeast · 14/04/2025 14:42

You're so right. Pret, in particular, is very expensive for what it is. Even the barista did a double take when he asked for £4.05 for a piddly mocha. Presumably they had only just put the prices up (again!). He then offered me a free pastry to compensate!

I work from home these days so I don't spend the same money on meal deals etc. Imagine if I put that money and the money I save on travel to one side. That would be a tidy sum in a few years.

LGBirmingham · 14/04/2025 16:26

hairyunicorn · 14/04/2025 14:06

Yes, we are taxed on the £12:00, but i don't mind. It's still an amazing benefit...

Show quote history

That does sound good, but wouldn't you rather have the extra £60 a week? I know I would rather than be forced to buy a very expensive lunch.

AelitaQueenofMars · 14/04/2025 16:38

rookiemere · 14/04/2025 13:24

But aren’t the Too Good to Go bags only available near/after closing time , so wouldn’t be any use for lunch? Sorry I haven’t done it myself so don’t know how it works.

Show quote history

You can get some around lunchtime, and mornings too. The last time I had to buy a lunch at work (we sometimes get told last-minute that we won’t be fed that day) I held out until 2.30 & bought a big naked burrito from Tortilla via Too Good to Go for a fiver, had about a third of it and took the rest home to feed my DS for dinner.

Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:38

hairyunicorn · 14/04/2025 12:10

I started a new job this year, and they give all employees £12 per day to spend on Deliveroo for lunch. They also have a fully stocked kitchen with drinks, chocolate, yoghurt, toast, etc.

I can't tell you how much money I have saved on lunch/drinks and snacks, it honestly is the best working perk I have ever had, it probably saves me at least £150 pm

Bloody hell can I come and work there.

OP posts:
Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:40

VexedOfKin · 14/04/2025 12:43

Go you, OP.

I take a hard boiled egg, an apple and sunflower seeds in a tupperware pot. It's such an easy, quick grab in the morning and is equally easy to eat at work.

I would die on this little food but I admire the consistent approach.

OP posts:
Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:42

RedFatball · 14/04/2025 13:25

I have done much better since working on an industrial estate with no easy access to shops. Nearest place to get food is 1.2km walk each way and you don't dare give up your parking space to drive...

We have just had a freezer with heathy microwave meals installed, I am resorting to these more often but they are £3.50 so not too hideous

i do need to do better though, prep breakfast would be good

From where?

OP posts:
Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:44

latetothefisting · 14/04/2025 13:52

what a weird post
nobody is debating the important job care workers do, but they
a) aren't ALL lovely caring angels
b) aren't automatically MORE exhausted than doctors or police officers or warehouse workers or anyone else that does 12hr shifts

Presuming they work normal hours weekly and not loads of overtime, they are only working the same 36hrs in total as anyone else working 9-5, 5 days a week, which means they have two full extra days to do what they like. Spending half an hour once a week organising their meals for the next 3 days shouldn't be beyond them.

It's actually easier and quicker, let alone cheaper, to heat a can of soup (or buy a thermos and bring it in pre heated) or pre-make cheese sandwiches and then store in freezer, (can even use toastie bag to heat in a toaster), or eat yesterdays dinner leftovers or even a pot noodle, and have snacks like crisps, nuts, granola with greek yoghurt, home made flapjacks, than go to greggs or the supermarket on a 30 minute lunch break.

Show quote history

Omg freezing cheese toasties and using a toastie bag. I LOVE this idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:52

Hello money savers how did the days go?

I had a beef frozen meal and a homemade chickpea bite from the freezer (chickpeas, honey, chocolate, peanut butter).

I did however spend money on chocolate after work. I talked myself into it as its Easter and this week is a cracker for work deadlines, also TOTM, but in reality I think I just didn't eat enough in calories. Each day is a learning day.

I need to do this as I want to be financially independent and retire early. Then I can spend my days in Pret drinking coffee.

I had a look at the Good To Go app and am very impressed. Definitely will consider it if I'm going to eat out anyway.

Day 2 tomorrow. Not feeling very lunch inspired. I just want to eat crap as its TOTM. May raid the freezer and find some soup.

OP posts:
VexedOfKin · 14/04/2025 18:01

CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 17:40

I would die on this little food but I admire the consistent approach.

Show quote history

It's a 500g tub of seeds... 😉 Not really, but not having to plan or think about it in the morning is golden to me.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 14/04/2025 18:32

Tryingtokeepgoing · 13/04/2025 20:24

That, surely, depends on what meal deal you select? I’d never eat a sandwich from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S or any other retailer, simply because they’ll have been made days ago and contain far too many processed ingredients and preservatives. They also lead you to have a snack and a drink that you might not otherwise purchase. A jambon et beurre roll or cheese and pickle baguette from Pret will have been made on premises within the last few hours, and will have no preservatives.

Show quote history

If you read ultra processed people Chris Van Tulken disagrees.

bge · 14/04/2025 18:38

I like Jason’s bread - UPF free. The protein one is delicious - I think only sold at Tesco

DisabledDemon · 14/04/2025 19:17

latetothefisting · 12/04/2025 20:55

I've heard so many people banging on about it that I decided to try it last week - saw it was NINE POUNDS for a sandwich and changed my mind
admittedly this was at an airport so maybe slightly more expensive than their normal shops but that is insane.

I can understand paying more for something nice or different but so many sandwich/coffee chains seem to offer absolutely basic food that it is so simple and easy (and cheap) to make yourself - things like porridge, a basic cheese sandwich, tomato soup, or coffee!

Show quote history

Nine pounds! What on earth was in it - platinum?

Original poster
CherryBlossomPie · 14/04/2025 22:35

So in the spirit of accountability, I went out this evening and bought some salted crisps and houmous.

I think I'd just not eaten enough (no excuse for spending money!) so this weekend when I have more time I'm going to plan this out much better.

Lots of helpful replies and suggestions on the thread.

Tomorrow is going to be another not spending money on lunch day. What gets monitored gets improved and all that!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 14/04/2025 22:49

I thought of you at lunchtime @CherryBlossomPie as I ate my home made salad this lunchtime. Did my halo almost blind you? I have tomorrow’s all prepped too. You’ve started a trend.

BigDahliaFan · 15/04/2025 07:46

@Tryingtokeepgoingi don’t like supermarket sandwiches as they are a bit soggy and have been kept roo cold.but an M&S cheese and onion sandwich is pretty much what you’d make at home unless you make your own mayonnaise and bake your own bread..

I need to stop eating at Pret
PinkPonyPugClub · 16/04/2025 08:09

Lunch from Pret is prohibitively expensive every day. A coffee, falafel and a pot of fruit would set me back well over 10 quid and I can’t justify that.

The only time I do treat myself when I’m in hospital, and I can’t face whatever is on the menu there.

I tried to make lunch for the whole family, as it saves us all money. I buy fancy seedy baguettes from Waitrose and batch up some nice fillings. It probably equates to £10-£15pw for all of us.