Despite tough economic times, most people still eat in restaurants on a weekly basis. Busy lifestyles, dual income families, and our car dependent lifestyle have made dining out way of life for many people. We all know restaurant food isn’t great for our waistline, but what about our wallets?
Most diners don’t have a clue how to save money when eating out, and I’ll admit there are times our family has gone out on a whim and spent $60 for a mediocre meal. Once we got over our heartburn we were faced with the realization that we could have feed our family for 5-7 days on that same $60!
What’s a family finance blogger to do? Research of course!
After sorting through a ton of scams, and bad ideas I came up with a 4 prong plan to help you have your bread, and eat too.
Make a Budget
Eating out is fun and can be a special treat especially when you are working to save money or pay off debt, but it is easy to go overboard.
- Set a budget: Be realistic. Choose an amount within 25% of last month’s restaurant spending.
- Withdraw cash from the bank. You won’t be tempted to go over budget. You can put the cash on a gift card or in an envelope, but once it’s gone you stop eating out.
- Get an “allowance”: set aside fun money for eating out with friends, buying the occasional trinket, and such. This is especially great for couples that have joint finances.
Smart Eating
These guidelines will help you keep money in your pocket, and eat healthier!
- Eat out at lunch instead of dinner
- Eat at happy hour instead of dinner
- Go for the early bird special
- Choose appetizers instead of a full meal
- Split an entree: especially great for places with large portions
- Ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal: put half your food in it immediately. Now you have lunch or dinner for tomorrow too!
- Drink water: better for your waistline and your wallet
- Drink something before you eat: you’ll eat less
- Eat a mid-day snack: so you eyes won’t be bigger than your stomach
- Plan ahead: eating out should not be a last resort! Plan ahead so when you do go out you can savor and enjoy it!
Coupons and Discounts
These are just some of the places you can find coupons for dining out:
- Entertainment book (sign up now and get a $25 gift certificate making your total cost $10!)
- Local coupon books (Kid’s Stuff fundraisers, mailer, newspaper, etc.)
- Sign up for email clubs for your favorite restaurant (many offer a free or discounted meal on your birthday, and send out reminders when special deals are happening)
- Use Restaurant.com to buy gift certificates to restaurants all over the US at a fraction of the cost: sign up on their site and you will get regular emails with extra discount codes! Discount code: ENJOY for 60% off. That’s a $25 gift certificate for $4! For current code register at restaurant.com or send me an email.
- For free or cheap kid’s meals try: Kids Meal Deals, Kid’s Eat Free
- Use your credit cards for extra rewards!: Proceed with caution, only use this method if you can pay your balance at the end of the month. Discover is giving extra 5% extra cash back on restaurants through December. American Express offers restaurant savings of 20% off in select cities.
- AAA offers discounts to members.
- Check with your credit cards, and any memberships you have you may be surprised by the discounts you find!
Alternatives to Eating Out:
- host a potluck for friends or other families
- make your favorite foods at home, it’s like going to your favorite restaurant
- have a romantic dinner after the kids are in bed
- rotate friend’s houses for dessert and drinks or appetizers and drinks
- for those on an extremely tight budget: only eat out on special occasions and use coupons!
What are ways you save on eating out?
Kelly
Video of my appearance (really wish I had makeup on!)
photo credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis
Anonymous says
I have used lots of stock art websites, but just recently ran across comcoupons.com. I was actually
sent their by a friend to check out the merchandise that they sell.
Brad says
This was a fantastic interview! The tips were great, and my wife and I could certainly trim back on our eating out. The discount and coupon section will help with that for sure. I really like the gift card idea as well.
Brad says
This was a fantastic interview! The tips were great, and my wife and I could certainly trim back on our eating out. The discount and coupon section will help with that for sure. I really like the gift card idea as well.
Great tips. My husband and I are going out for dinner this coming Friday night, with a $50 GC his mom gave him for his birthday last month. Speaking of coupon books, my boss insisted that I buy one of these coupon books again this year - I have to admit, lots of great coupons. You can easily make back your $20 in ten or so visits depending on where you go and which coupon you use. Not available in all cities in the US, but it's here for $20 if you want to add it to your list or check it out: https://www.enjoythecitybook.com/default.aspx
Great tips. My husband and I are going out for dinner this coming Friday night, with a $50 GC his mom gave him for his birthday last month. Speaking of coupon books, my boss insisted that I buy one of these coupon books again this year - I have to admit, lots of great coupons. You can easily make back your $20 in ten or so visits depending on where you go and which coupon you use. Not available in all cities in the US, but it's here for $20 if you want to add it to your list or check it out: https://www.enjoythecitybook.com/default.aspx
I wanted to say thanks because I get some really great coupons from you sometimes. I found a new site people should check out - http://www.zibogo.com - it's supposed to be set up for local coupons like restaurants and local small businesses. It looks like they're still working on the site but I signed up for a free account anyway because it's the only site I've seen like that - I know it's next to impossible to find coupons online in my town (Sacramento). Just thought I'd pass it along. Thanks again for the great deals - keep 'em coming!
I wanted to say thanks because I get some really great coupons from you sometimes. I found a new site people should check out - http://www.zibogo.com - it's supposed to be set up for local coupons like restaurants and local small businesses. It looks like they're still working on the site but I signed up for a free account anyway because it's the only site I've seen like that - I know it's next to impossible to find coupons online in my town (Sacramento). Just thought I'd pass it along. Thanks again for the great deals - keep 'em coming!
Great Job Kelly!!!
~Sarah
Great Job Kelly!!!
~Sarah
J. Rotondo says
Great information here. Very helpful tips on eating out with coupons. Awesome job on the 10! Show.
J. Rotondo says
Great information here. Very helpful tips on eating out with coupons. Awesome job on the 10! Show.
Sheila says
This time I got the restaurant.com coupons with no problem whatsoever-yay! Regarding the to-go box, I try to leave a reusable container in my car for that purpose. I know it may seem a little weird to take in my own container, but it saves the restaurant money (which they like), and I feel a little better knowing I'm not adding to the landfill.
Sheila says
This time I got the restaurant.com coupons with no problem whatsoever-yay! Regarding the to-go box, I try to leave a reusable container in my car for that purpose. I know it may seem a little weird to take in my own container, but it saves the restaurant money (which they like), and I feel a little better knowing I'm not adding to the landfill.
mamajoss says
You look just great even without makeup! Nice job on the show - yipeeee!
mamajoss says
You look just great even without makeup! Nice job on the show - yipeeee!
Jenn says
Awesome! We used to get entertainment book coupons for free online from capital one but they're not doing that anymore. I love the entertainment book coupons!
Jenn says
Awesome! We used to get entertainment book coupons for free online from capital one but they're not doing that anymore. I love the entertainment book coupons!