Save Money at a Restaurant
I wonder at times if it’s even possible to save money when you go out to eat. Who wouldn’t complain about some of the restaurant prices nowadays. A meal for two can often top forty to fifty dollars. A decent quick meal costs almost ten dollars, without dining in the restaurant. And forget about ordering a large pizza for under twenty bucks, at least not with breadsticks or many toppings. It’s frustrating to those of us inept in the kitchen, and even more so for those of us trying to save for anything important like college, a car, retirement, or just for security. Let’s take a look at a few things we can do to save money when eating at a restaurant. I’d love to hear from you as well.
- If you’re going to a new area of town, a new city, vacationing, etc. then do some research online before stepping foot into a greasy steakhouse. Sites like Yelp.com can help you decide if the food is worth the money. What’s worse than spending forty dollars on a meal? Spending forty dollars on a meal you hated.
- A meal is meant to be shared in many cultures. With the servings Americans receive, it’s no wonder we have an obesity problem. Couples can afford to share an entree and appetizer and still be too full for desert, which we don’t recommend buying, unless it’s your birthday, then by all means.
- Coupons are you friend. Many restaurants have menus, store hours, and discounts all found on their website. A quick Google search should pull up any coupons the restaurant may have available. You might also check the various cutout coupon ads in papers and on newstands. These can help you find a deal for the single outing.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for the specials. The specials usually have the best deals in a restaurant. A special might also be the best meal in an unfamiliar restaurant. It’s the safe choice.
- Order the lunch portion rather than the dinner. The difference may mean three to five dollars, but if your whole family does this then the meal just got cheaper.
Do you have any ways you can think to save money at a restaurant? We’d love to hear it in the comment section or in our forums.
