Save Money on Eating Out

You might be living life on a budget but there is no reason you can't still enjoy eating out once in a while. Saving money while eating out takes some effort but I have some tips to help you in this endeavor:

• Eat a snack before you go out so that you don't feel a need to order a big meal. Eat an apple or some crackers and cheese an hour before you go out to effectively curb your appetite.


• Go out for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Dinner is the most expensive meal due to ingredients, staffing demands, and portions. On average it costs 25% more than lunch and 50% more than breakfast.

• Drink water with your meal. Prices on beverages are marked up significantly, sometimes 3-4 times what they would cost you in a store and sometimes even more. This holds true for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.


• Avoid appetizers and desserts. The profit margin is big for restaurants with these items which means the value is low for you.


• Share meals or bring home leftovers. The trend these days is large portions. Unfortunately the other trend is to not take home the leftovers. Bear with the potential embarrassment and take home what you cannot eat at the restaurant. It is often enough for another meal and makes for a great work lunch.


• Look for deals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the 2 slowest days of the week for restaurants. Deals are often featured on these days to entice people to come in.


• Think about going to a food establishment where you don't have to tip. There are many good places where you pick up your own food at the counter and bus your own dishes, eliminating the need to leave a tip. Better yet, get a classy meal but take it to a park or other nice vista.


• Take advantage of any discounts you can. There are discounted meal selections for children and senior citizens. Some restaurants may even feature an early bird special that is open people of all ages.


• Restaurant coupons are always a good way to save money. Look in entertainment magazines. They not only contain coupons but many restaurants also use these publications to announce special deals. Another great source is Restaurant.com where you can search for deals and discounts at a restaurant near you using the zip code you live in or the zip code you are going to visit.

Treat yourself on occasion but be wise and stick to your budget. There are some cheap eats out there you just need to be aware of what to avoid, what to look for, and how to get the most bang for your buck.

If you found the content of this article to be interesting and useful then check out http://www.frugalsensei.com/extras/entertainment for even more ways to find entertainment on a budget. Visit The Frugal Sensei where the goal is to get you the most for the least. 

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