Why not try a potluck lunch celebration? Potlucks involve each willing participant bringing a different dish with them for a lunch period on a designated day. While the whole office may not be interested in participating, those of your co-workers who are also trying to watch their cash spending may be open to such a plan. Set a date to hold the potluck during a regular office lunch hour on a day everyone participating will be in the office. Have some co-workers bring a dessert item, others can supply drinks, and the rest can bring an entrée.

It may still cost you a little bit of money to provide a contribution but there is no reason you can get creative with what is already in your pantry. Look up recipes on the internet for some of the items you have available. Otherwise, if you must shop, stick to a basic dish. There is no need to bring a knockout dish that costs a fortune but you must make sure there is enough for everyone. Plus, when you consider what you would spend on a lunch out at a restaurant, you will most likely be saving yourself some cash.

Remember to keep it simple. If you are really feeling the pinch in your wallet, bring a head of lettuce and a bottle of salad dressing or a batch of instant pudding. Deviled eggs are cheap and easy to make. Fresh fruit is also a good idea. If you take a little time and think of the simple things most everyone enjoys but rarely would make for themselves, you’re sure to pick a winning idea.

If the potluck idea catches on in the office, make a habit of planning a regular event, perhaps once a month. It is a great way to break up the monotony of boring sandwiches and leftovers and makes saving money fun. You can also carry over the potluck idea amongst your friends and family. Busy moms and dads may welcome the break from cooking each night and enjoy the company of others during some downtime in an otherwise busy schedule.

Reducing Your Work Lunch Expenses was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Use Direct Deposit – Utilizing the direct deposit service to deposit your payroll will help keep you from spending the cash in your hand. It makes sense to utilize direct deposit also to help you save money. Most payroll departments can help you set up a plan to have a certain amount of money deposited directly into a savings account so you can start saving on a continual basis.

401K Contribution – If your company offers a retirement plan, make sure you are putting as much into as you can afford, especially if the company matches your contribution. The money you put in is pretax money so your salary will be hit with less taxes.

Readjust your Withholdings – if you have consistently received a income tax refund, you are not working with the correct withholding numbers. Make sure you are paying in just enough to keep you from getting hit with a tax bill at the end of the year. The money you are overpaying to the government can add up fast and help expand our budget or add to your savings. This readjustment is especially important to remember if you get a raise or have another change in your financial situation. Double check your numbers after filing for the changes to make sure they have been processed.

Reevaluate your Health Insurance – Those who have been at their jobs for a significant period of time often do not take the time or remember to check in with their health care plan. Go over the coverage you have and the amount you are paying then check with your human resource department to discuss alternative plans that may fit your needs but be less expensive. Also, make sure you have the best insurance plan for your family. Perhaps your spouse’s new job offers a better program at better rates and it may be worthwhile to switch to the new plan.

Check Out All of the Company Benefits – Depending on the size of your company and the policies they keep, many offer benefits that go unused simply because people do not know they exist. Take time to read through the company manual or your own employment contract and see what is actually available to company employees. Take advantage of employer-reimbursed tuition, group insurance plans, stock discounts, and other benefits often overlooked.

Request Reimbursements - Companies that offer allowances, especially for travel, often provide additional money to cover the cost of travel. However, this money is added to your income and is therefore taxed. Instead, opt for a reimbursement check for mileage or other travel costs that will not be subjected to additional taxes.

Use Raises/Bonuses Wisely – Whatever percentage raise you earn, increase your contribution to your savings account and your 401k account by the same amount. Since you haven’t been used to having the extra money, you won’t miss it if you direct it away immediately.

How to Get the Most Money Out of Your Paycheck was created by and is property of American Consumer News.