One of my biggest weaknesses is eating out. It’s not that I despise cooking, it’s just that sometimes on those chaotic days we all have, I enjoy having other people cook for me.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to significantly trim the amount we spend eating out. I don’t want to eliminate eating out because I don’t believe you should have to deny yourself things you enjoy just to call yourself frugal.
Instead, I’m learning how to save money when eating out and thought I’d share my tips with you.
Use coupons and take advantage of restaurant promotions. You should never have to pay full price for a pizza. You can always find a coupon somewhere. And many other restaurants offer coupons when you sign up for their mailing lists. We’ve also checked around to discover what restaurants have a “kids eat free” night and taken advantage of those offers.
Enjoy breakfast or lunch instead of dinner. The earlier meals are always cheaper, and often in more reasonable portion sizes.
Skip the appetizers. The appetizers are usually expensive, deep fried, and fill you up before the main course. Skip them, or if you are really craving an appetizer, order it instead of an entree.
Skip the beverages. Ask for water with a slice of lemon instead. You may find that the waitress is a bit slower to bring you refills, but the savings is worth it.
Avoid substitutions or upsells. Substituting side dishes or adding a salad to your meal adds more to your bill than it adds to your satisfaction. Stick to the main menu selections.
Get a to-go box. As soon as you get your meal, ask for a to-go box. Put half of your meal in the box and take it home. Restaurant portions are huge and you can stretch your enjoyment of the experience by making two meals out of your entree.
Choose the buffet. If you have big eaters in your family who are always hungry, you may find it more economical to head to a restaurant that has an all-you-can eat buffet.
Attend fundraisers. Every community has its share of fundraiser dinners. Spaghetti feeds, pancake breakfasts, burger nights and fish frys are all affordable ways to enjoy a night off from cooking while supporting a good cause.
Consider doing take-out. When you pick up an order of restaurant take-out, you don’t have to worry about a tip. Ordering take-out works great for pizza, chicken, pasta, and Chinese. You can order the main dish for your family and pair it with a vegetable or salad you make at home for a fraction of the price.
Eat out less. Obviously, this is the easiest way to save money on eating out. And since I’m also trying to shed a few pounds, cooking from home more helps!
How do you save on eating out? Please share your ideas!
photo credit: striatic
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