Jonah JacobsAs you look for ways to pinch pennies with your monthly budget, entertainment expenses like eating out are often the first to get cut. This can be a real drag if you love getting out of the house and going to restaurants.
Are there ways to maintain your restaurant hobby without breaking your budget? There sure are, and here are some that you can start practicing now:
1. Share your meals.
Have you seen the food portions at restaurants lately? Some are big enough to feed an army, which is why sharing your meals is the best way to minimize your dining expenses.
The benefit of sharing meals goes way beyond just saving money, as it can save you the extra pounds that come from all of those extra calories.
If you don’t feel like eating from the same plate, ask the waiter to bring out two plates. Many restaurants will gladly split orders to accommodate you.
2. Let your kids eat free.
Tons of restaurants have special occasions where kids eat free. Some of them do it every week, which can really help you cut costs.
For example, some Pizza Hut locations offer a free buffet for kids under 10, as long as one adult purchases a meal. IHOP, meanwhile, has free kids meals for anyone 12 and under with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Are these the only places where you can find free children’s meals? Of course not, so look around at restaurants near you, and you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find.
3. Eat earlier.
Dinner is often the most expensive time to eat out. Get your restaurant fix out of the way earlier in the day, and you can find early-bird specials at a fraction of the cost.
4. Don’t buy beverages.
Water is free at almost any restaurant. If you’re not a water fan, be sure to buy beverages that come with free refills if you’re super thirsty.
5. Comb the newspaper for coupons.
Local Sunday newspapers often come packed with copious coupons from restaurants. Many of these offer buy-one-get-one-free deals that can help you skip the cost of an entire meal.
If you’re past the paper age and prefer something more high-tech, try downloading one of these apps to help you save:
6. Avoid the tip.
No, we’re not suggesting you stiff your waiter when you go out to eat. You can, however, cut 15 percent off your bill by not eating in the restaurant.
Many places now give you the option for curbside pickup. You can still order your favorite food, but instead of dining there, you can pick it up and eat at home.
By avoiding the dining experience, you can prevent the gratuity that comes with it. This alone can be seen as a coupon to help you get that flavorful fix at a discount.
7. Sign up for apps.
Does your favorite restaurant have its own app? If it does, downloading it may be worth your time.
You can secure exclusive discounts via apps that may not be advertised to the general public.
Mark Luigi Dacumos
