5 Painless Ways to Save Money When Eating Out
It’s fun to escape the kitchen and eat out in a restaurant. There are no tables to clean or dishes to do afterwards. Unfortunately, eating out can put a dent in your budget if you make the wrong choices and don’t plan your excursions. Fortunately, there are ways to save money when you eat out without pulling into a fast food restaurant. Here are five of them.
Don’t Waste Money on Beverages
You can save a significant amount on your tab by skipping the alcoholic beverages. Wine in restaurants is marked up 300% over the wholesale price, so you’re not getting a deal when you order a bottle or glass of wine. Even better, skip non-alcoholic beverages too and sip water with a slice of lemon with your meal. You can even bring your own sweetener and turn it into lemonade. After all, aren’t you there to enjoy the food?
Sign Up to Be on the Email List of Your Favorite Chain Restaurants
Many popular chain restaurants send out coupons with additional savings periodically. Some also send a coupon for a free entrée or dessert on your birthday or anniversary. What could be better than a coupon for a free entrée arriving in your email box? Being on the mailing list of your favorite restaurants ensures you won’t miss cost-saving promotions.
Plan Before You Go
When you visit a restaurant these days, you don’t have to experience sticker shock. Most restaurants have their menus posted online and many include prices. Read the menu and plan what you’ll order before arriving so you won’t order impulsively because you’re hungry or because the waiter recommends the most expensive dish on the menu. Call the restaurant and find out whether they offer an early-bird special. You may be able to get a several course meal for a song if you don’t mind eating a little earlier.
Become a Coupon Hound
Check your local newspaper and online sites for restaurant coupons you can redeem at local restaurants. Some online sites sell coupons that entitle you to a certain amount off your purchase. For example, you may pay $5.00 for a coupon good for $20.00 towards a restaurant meal. There’s usually a minimum purchase required, but the savings are significant. Check Ebay too. Some people put restaurant gift cards up for auction, and you may be able to get them for less than half their value.
Skip the “Extras”
Hold off on appetizers and dessert. With portion sizes in restaurants as large as they are, you probably won’t need an appetizer. Skipping dessert is another way to save. If you want something sweet after a restaurant meal, stop by an ice cream or yogurt shop and enjoy an inexpensive treat that won’t strain your budget. If you’re a light eater who doesn’t eat meat, skip the entrée and order vegetable sides instead. Side dishes are usually quite reasonably priced at most restaurants, and you can easily make a meal out of three or four sides.
The Bottom Line?
You can enjoy an evening out without breaking the bank. Use these tips to avoid doing dishes and still stay within your budget.
Comments (1)
Some good tips. We do a lot of groupon with a couple we dine out with frequently. We also talk budget which helps us decide where to go
Add new comment