How to Save Money While Dining Out
Posted on 29. Apr, 2009 by Mom Mag in Food & Drink
In times past, it was rare to eat meals in restaurants. Eating out was reserved for special occasions, and most of the time, mom cooked at home. Times have certainly changed, and many families eat out almost every night. But it looks like another change is on the horizon, now that frequent dining out is becoming to expensive for most people.
But, what if you don’t want to go back to home cooked meals? After all, you work hard, and if you enjoy eating in restaurants, it’s a pleasure that you might not want to give up. You might need to make some adjustments to be able to keep this simple pleasure in your lifestyle. Some people scan the menu, looking for prices first before choosing a meal. But, there are plenty of other ways to dine out and stick to a budget.
First, go to a restaurant that you can afford. You might have dined at restaurants where the small portions are sold for exorbitant prices. But, you can eat your fill on cafe food that’s big on flavor, where excellent service is provided, and the prices are reasonable. If you enjoy large portions, then try an all you can eat buffet. Plus, you’ll save on tips.
Scout which restaurants offer special deals and discounts. For example, you might get a percentage off your meal during off peak hours. If you’re a senior citizen, you might get a discount on certain days or you can sometimes take advantage of small portions at a reduced price. Call ahead to find out what special deals are offered by restaurants in your area.
If you’ll be dining without children, check out happy hour lounge specials. Sometimes you can get an hors d’oeuvre sampler for the price of a cocktail. If you do have kids, take advantage of free kids meal nights.
If the two of you are having a special night out, try sharing an appetizer and an entree. Some restaurants have too-big portion sizes anyway. Many restaurants are glad to provide an additional plate at no extra charge. Take your leftovers home to make the most of your food budget.
Check out newspapers and ad circulars for restaurant coupons, but make sure you read the fine print. You don’t want to order your meal only to find that there are so many terms and conditions that the ‘coupon’ was really a come on instead of a money saver. The Entertainment Book is usually a great place to find buy-one get-one-free special restaurant offers all year long.
Try making due with less when you dine out. For example, drink water instead of a soda or other pricey beverage. Drinks can add several dollars to the bill for just two people. Make due with an entree, and forego desert.
Add a little zing to your water with a squeeze of lemon, or even a little sugar. After dinner, grab some ice cream at the grocery store for desert at home. You can even save money by eating at fast food joints; just choose healthier items from the menu. Most fast food places offer salads and soups, for example. Try fresh fruit or a low fat yogurt parfait for desert instead of high fat, sugar laden sweets.
Remember to look at your receipt. Some establishments provide rewards or free meals if you take a survey about your restaurant experience. With a bit of creativity, you don’t have to give up dining out. It takes a bit of planning, but you can still have a fun and affordable dining out experience.