<prompt> Human: Im slowly but surely crawling my way out of that lovely college student debt I incurred over four years and gaining financial independence. Ive found out how insanely important meal prepping can be. Every Sunday, for about 2 hours, I cook and cook and cook. I make sure I make enough for my fiancé and I to have lunches for the entire week. Thats all it takes, two hours! And like 40 in groceries. When I was really struggling for money, I would still find myself going out to lunch every single day and spending 10-15 a meal. Thats 50-75 a week! Now I cook for two people for less than that. Just a little advice and personal success here - meal prep your heart out and your wallet will thank you. Edit: wow! Did not know how popular this would get. I cant keep up with replying to posts so Ill address two common comments here. 1 - a lot of people keep bringing up the point that the cost of my time is not worth the meal prep and I beg to differ. These two hours I use are two hours that I would just be playing Overwatch or something like that. And the money Im saving can work for me in paying off debts and investing, so personally its my best option. I realize this doesnt work for everyone. I also cant take the easy way out with 5 boxes at Taco Bell or something similar as my body doesnt tolerate gluten which cuts out most fast food options. 2 - every week I go to Aldi and stock up on brown rice, black beans, corn, ground turkey or tofu, a bag of chicken and some veggies. Most common meal prepped is burrito bowls. Which is 1 pound of ground turkey, 2 cans of beans, 1 can corn, 1 jar of salsa, and brown rice mixed with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and coriander. Makes 12 cups of food at 1,220 calories total. I divide this up into six 2 cup containers. Then usually make chicken with veggies or gluten free pasta for the remaining two days of meals for us. Utilizing four burners, a stove, and a microwave all at once produces a surprising amount of food very quickly. I store it all in Tupperware for the week and it stays well. Some people recommend prepping and freezing as well. Are there some days where I dread eating the same meal and eat out? Heck yes, but its not every day like it used to be. And my wallet and waistline has rewarded me greatly for that.  <response>: I see a lot of comments about mealprepping not being a good value time-wise, but I think a lot of that falls apart when considering to get the same value otherwise, youd have to get another job that allows you to work only a few hours a week and on your own time. Mealprepping I can do in the comfort of my home, I can play music, watch TV, intersperse it with other leisurely activities I can play videogames while waiting for my chicken to bake, for example. I wouldnt have to answer to anyone, and if I ever dont feel like mealprepping, I just dont. Its hard to find a job that allows you to work whenever you feel like. And I use my newfound funds and discipline to address other parts of my life that needs it. Real talk, if you think your life is such that lunch is your only reprieve, is a good lunch really what you need? 