How To Save Money When You Eat Out

Saving money without cutting back too much on your quality of life is important.  It is possible to go cold turkey on dining expenses; however simply not eating out anymore is easier said than done.  Instead, why not try to save money when you do go out?  It is possible to reduce the total costs of your restaurant bills using a few easy steps.

• Find and use coupons.  Many restaurants will offer percentages off of the value of a meal or even free meals!  Look in your paper, for flyers, or even do an internet search for the restaurant you will be eating at – you’ll be surprised what you can find.
• Avoid ordering appetizers.  These are big money makers for restaurants and should be avoided.  Alternatively, if you are out with friends, consider splitting one!
• Eat a snack before you go out! Even something as small as an apple, a banana, or some other piece of fruit can dramatically reduce hunger pangs.  Use this trick and you will spend less and not order with your stomach!
• Go with friends and plan your order together. Laura and I have found that an appetizer and a meal is usually more than enough for both of us, rather than for each; this cut down our average purchase at a restaurant by half!
• Eat desserts at home. Five dollars will buy you a lot of ice cream in a grocery store.  Do you really want to spend that much on a tiny bowl at a restaurant?
• If you do want to eat out, go for lunch instead of dinner. I don’t know of any restaurants that make lunch more expensive.
• Drink water – and not the fancy bottled stuff.  Sodas and other beverages, along with appetizers, are where most restaurants make all of their money.  You can get a two-liter of soda for less than a dollar, so why pay more than that for a glass?
• Only eat half of your meal. Most restaurants and dining facilities offer portions far greater than what most people need to eat; take half your meal home and make it into two!
• If you have children, find out which restaurants in your area have kids-eat-free nights or specials.  Dining bills for those 2.4 children can add up quickly!

Of course, ideally you will try to not eat out.  Buying and cooking your own food is almost always cheaper!  Buuuut we all have times where we just need someone else to do the cooking; these tips will help you keep those expenses to a reasonable level!

Tags: budget activities, coupons, dining, eating out, food, going out, retaurants, savings, waste