Last year some 8.5 million Americans brought their lunch to work, a figure that's likely to grow as more of us look for ways to cut costs. But are a few bucks saved really worth all that effort — especially when a new season of Dancing with the Stars beckons? We priced a hearty, healthy DIY sandwich versus our favorite 6-inch-with-chips-and-soda deal from Subway. Here's how the lunch-meat face-off went down. MADE-AT-HOME-SANDWICH BREAKDOWN
| INGREDIENT | INITIAL COST | COST PER SANDWICH |
| Arnold by Brownberry Dutch Country bread, 100% Whole Wheat Double Fiber | $3.89/18 slices | $0.43 for two slices |
| Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise | $5.39/30-oz. jar | $0.08 (serving size: 1 tbsp.; 64 servings/jar) |
| Land O' Lakes Sliced Swiss Cheese | $5.29/8 slices | $1.32 for two slices |
| Sara Lee Fresh Ideas Turkey Breast, Honey Roasted Pre-Sliced | $5.99/24 slices | $1.00 for four slices |
| Organic beefsteak tomatoes | $1.79 each | $0.90 for three slices |
| Red Delicious apple | $0.69 | $0.69 |
| Six-pack Diet Coke (cans) | $3.49 | $0.58 per can |
| Glad Fold Top Sandwich Bags | $1.99/180-count box | $0.01 per bag |
| $5.01 TOTAL COST |
SUBWAY SANDWICH
6-inch whole-wheat turkey sub with Diet Coke and choice of Baked Lays or apple slices: $5.59 (prices may vary)
TOTAL SAVINGS: $0.58/day, or roughly $12/month. Barely enough to cover the cost of that Foreman Grill you'll need for next week's BLTs.
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Cubicle
Call me "CC," Cubicle Coach. I have been "you" and now I can hire "you." I have many years of experience playing the angles, doing the dance. In my time, I've seen 'em all - the strivers, the poseurs, the weasels, the Eeyores, and the precious few who "just get it." I'll tell it to you straight.
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Eileen
Eileen Conlan is an assistant editor at Marie Claire. She lives in New York City, and loves cooking, reading and reviewing new books, and shopping the city for the perfect deal. She also has an affinity for traveling, and anything vintage, making the Hell's Kitchen flea market her favorite weekend haunt.
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Jihan
I'm an editorial assistant in the features department, I'm addicted to the New York Times crossword puzzles (Monday only!), figuring out how to save a little money in the country's most expensive city and bad reality television.
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