To save money and reduce wasteful packaging, I buy big bags of chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, etc. Then I repack them in small plastic containers for lunches.
More often, however, I was packing them into snack size zip top baggies because they take up less room in my husband Michael's lunch bag. So I saved money on the chips, but was wasting money and plastic with the baggies.
There had to be a thrifty solution. I bought vinyl zip top binder pouches about 9x6 inches. They have a plastic slider like expensive zip top bags. They are easy to wash. They don't take up much space in a lunch bag.
Office Depot had them on sale as a back to school loss leader for the ridiculous price of one penny each. I bought five, so Michael and I each have two, plus one extra. Bigger pouches could be used for sandwiches.
If you are packing for several people in your family you could use different colors and assign them to each person. This idea not only reduces the use of expensive zip top baggies, they are easy to carry, weigh very little and don't take up much room.
By Samaree from South Bend, IN
