How to Budget and Save Money Eating Out
How to Budget and Save Money Eating Out
We don’t eat out at a sit down restaurant often, but when we do most of the time we pick Ruby Tuesday’s. They have a wonderful salad bar to keep the kids happy while the food arrives! Plus they seem to have coupons out often. Here are some tips on how to budget and save money eating out.
6 Tips on How to Budget and Save Money Eating Out
Dining out is like a gift we like to give ourselves and our families after a long week of working hard. It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift if you go to the right places on the right nights. Utilizing all of the tools that are available to you will help you save where you can. Here are six tips that will help you save money when eating out.
Choose the Right Place
Just about all restaurants have a night that kids can eat for free or at a reduced price. Choose that night to take your family out to eat. Some places have all you can eat buffets. This is a good choice because the prices are reasonable and you can eat as much as you want. All you can eat buffets are good for larger families. For some of us going out on dates is routine. If going on a date, choose the special, as it is usually cheaper.
Choose the Right Food
Eating good food or the food you prefer to eat can be a bit pricey. Try eating appetizers instead of entrees. Some of the appetizers are just as large in proportion as the entrée, but cheaper. Many restaurants have a variety in the appetizers that includes a little bit of everything. This may balance your meal more evenly.
Refreshments
Sodas and juices can also be pricey. Instead of ordering the more pricey drinks, order water. Water is good for you and in most restaurants is free. If it is a dinner for adults, try drinking the house wine instead of the more expensive wine.
Lunch or Dinner
If eating out is a must for you try going out to lunch instead of dinner. Lunch entrees are much cheaper than dinner entrees. Some places only serve lunch between certain hours so make sure to check what those are. For the adults, try choosing the house wine instead of the more expensive wine.
Skip Dessert
Sometimes desserts at restaurants can be very expensive. To save some money eating out you could skip dessert entirely at the restaurant and have a treat somewhere else like a local ice cream store or even at McDonald’s. McDonald’s has a great soft serve ice cream or apple pie for a dollar.
Coupons
Many of us receive coupon packages in the mail. Have you looked through those lately? Most times local restaurants send out coupons for lunch or dinner in those packets. It’s a great way to save money eating out yet still enjoy a dinner out (or use Restaurants.com to order gift certificates)
Check out these other frugal tips:
Ultimate List of Frugal Living Tips
How to Save Money When Your Emergency Fund is Wiped Out
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