No other change that we have made in our life has saved us so much money as this! Eating out used to be a regular thing for us; McDonald drive through for lunch, pizza for a quick dinner, take-out for those crazy busy weeknights, the list goes on. It was never special, just quick and desperate solutions to poor planning and, need I add, expensive!
We were sitting at an all-you-can-eat buffet with our 4 children one busy weekend discussing how we sorely needed another dresser. My husband quickly responded; "We can't afford it!" Then we payed the $65 bill and went home. It struck me at that moment how ridiculous it was to continue to eat out for convenience sake all the time.
What changes have we made? I plan ahead! We make sure to finish our extra activities early so we are home when it's mealtime. Crockpots are a fabulous way to have supper ready when you return. If things are just too busy and you didn't prepare ahead, it is a great idea to have quick and easy things in the freezer already; frozen pizza, frozen burritos, etc. Then you aren't forced to go to the drive through or order out.
We have saved hundreds every month by doing this. We still eat out at least once a month, but we plan it, and we all enjoy it so much more! And, as I thought we would, we now have a bit of money left for those other necessities like new winter coats, etc. Try it for a month, you won't be disappointed! :)
With rising food costs, every bit of savings when it comes to eating out is a win. A great tip for shaving off a few dollars on your next meal in (or out) is combining the savings from purchasing a discounted gift card from one of the gift card reseller sites and bundling the savings from that with a promo code/coupon.
You can still have a nice time dining out but without breaking the bank. Go during Happy Hour where you can get half off appetizers, drinks and some select entrees!
This is a page about saving money on fast food. The cost of fast food can add up, but there are a few simple ways to save money when eating at fast food restaurants.
Quite by accident several years ago at a fall fair, I found a cheap way of getting a side serving of pickles, generally 3 or 4 slices.
A frugal lifestyle involves eating more meals at home since dining out is usually an expensive adventure. Whenever you do decide to splurge on a restaurant meal, you can do so more frugally by choosing to drink water...
When the kids were below age 12, I looked for restaurants that had kids eat free signs. I tried different restaurants in the area.
Be sure to check your receipts - particularly from regular restaurants and fast-food places. A lot of times there is a free food item on your next visit. For example, Arby's will have a free regular roast beef sandwich in exchange for a simple survey you can do.
It is common knowledge that styrofoam equals sustainability's nemesis. When I am forced to take home an entirely too large take-home box after a meal out, I cringe.
I have learned to get water when you go out to eat, it can save big time on the bill. My coke cost me $1.85 when water usually is free, or no more than 30 cents. It makes a difference and I always use coupons if I can, even if it's Arby's!
Time yourself. Use a timer or regular clock and write down exactly how much time it took to go to and return from the fast food restaurant, deli or pizza place.
If you or your kids love nuts on your sundaes from Dairy Queen or other drive-up ice cream places, bring a baggie of nuts from home. The ice cream shops usually charge 50 cents or more for nuts and a family of 4 could save $2.00 on one visit.
Saving money while eating out at restaurants. Here are tips suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Cooking at home saves money, but when you do eat out, order water instead of a beverage to help keep your check low.
Tips for saving money while eating out at restaurants. If you have a great idea that was missed, post it here!
