Potluck lunch at work on the cheap

I've been working at my office for a little over three years. The first time we had a potluck luncheon I went to Walmart with out a plan. I NEEDED to get something to bring to work the next day. I walked out with three artisan loaves of bread and two packages of spinach dip at a cost of 30 to 40 dollars. 

Most people would say this isn't a large expense...but 30 dollars fills up half my tank, which is a weeks worth of gas. 40 bucks is a big haul at the grocery store - now a days. 40 bucks is my internet bill. 40 bucks can pay for a lot of things for your household, but it wont if you readily hand it over to a store.

Did I mention I dont own a knife set? Imagine cutting up three loaves of bread with a butter knife. That was my life that night, buyers remorse, financial insecurity, and no knife properly serrated to cut this expensive bread I just bought. 

We still have a potluck at work. However, my process for deciding what to bring has changed. Instead of thinking quick and easy, I turn my eyes to my cabinets and say what can I make with what I already have? 

This year I'm bringing rice crispy treats, with strawberry marshmallows, dipped in lime green melting chocolate, and dosed with sprinkles. I know...they're a little juvenile, but they're fun and I didn't spend a dime on impulse shopping at the last minute this year. I think they look like Christmas trees!! ;)

Price Break Down....

.75 - Box of Rice Crispies - couponed

~.75 Marshmallows - bought on clearance

~.50 1/4 stick butter - bought on sale

~1.25 Chocolate melts - bought on clearance

~1 Sprinkles - bought on clearance

Total = 4.25

Compared to three years ago I have a cost savings of almost 90% for my contribution to this event!