As you might already know, eating at home rather than eating out can be a good way to save money. If you’re on a tight budget, one of the first things that you might have eliminated were trips to dine out. However, just because you want to keep your finances on track does not mean that you don’t deserve to treat yourself every once in a while. Luckily, it is possible to dine out without spending a fortune. These are a few helpful tips that can help you do so.
Buy Gift Cards
Did you know that there are websites that will allow you to buy gift cards at discounted prices? In many cases, you can save 10 percent or more on your meal simply by doing this. In some cases, you can actually print the gift cards out at home or can pull them up on your smartphone so that you can enjoy instant savings.
Look for Coupons
Coupons aren’t just for being used at the grocery store; there are also a lot of coupons out for popular restaurants. Try keeping an eye on your local Pennysaver to look for these coupons. You may also find them on the restaurant’s website or social media pages.
Skip the Extras
In many cases, the cost of an actual restaurant meal itself is not very expensive. Instead, the costs can come with buying things like appetizers or dessert. In many cases, portions are large enough that these extras aren’t really needed at all, and you can always have something sweet to finish off your night when you get back home.
Order Off the Kid’s Menu
Although not all restaurants will allow you to do this, it can sometimes pay to order off of the kid’s menu. This is especially true if you’d like to keep your portions in check for weight-related reasons.
Share a Plate
Many restaurant portions are huge. One good way of cutting costs is to share a plate with your significant other or someone else who you might be dining with. If you are going to be dining out with children, consider sharing a bit of what’s on your plate with them rather than ordering everyone a separate meal.
Drink Water
One way to shave quite a bit of money off of your restaurant bill is to drink water rather than ordering soda or an iced tea. Many restaurants charge two or three dollars or more for these drinks, and water is a healthier choice anyway. Also, be aware that the cost of alcoholic beverages can be astronomical. The more budget-friendly option is to have a cocktail at home after dinner rather than ordering an overpriced one at a restaurant. If you must indulge, consider ordering a beer, which is often cheaper than wine or cocktails at many restaurants.
Take it To Go
If you dine in, you might be tempted to order extra menu items and drinks. Plus, it’s generally expected to leave a bigger tip when you dine in rather than taking your food to go. If you take your food to go, you can often save on the tip as well as on the drinks, dessert and extra condiments. Just make sure that you inquire about any takeout charges that the restaurant might charge to ensure that you’re really getting a good deal.
Dine During Happy Hour
Many restaurants offer a “Happy Hour” early in the evening, when you might be able to enjoy special pricing or half-price appetizers. Another similar option is to dine out for a late lunch rather than for dinner, when you may be able to take advantage of lower lunch prices. As an added bonus, you might find that the restaurant is not as busy if you visit in the late afternoon rather than in the evening.
Join the Loyalty Club
If a favorite restaurant of yours has a loyalty club, you may want to consider joining, such as by signing up with your email address. You might be given a special gift, such as a free appetizer or dessert, just for signing up. Many clubs will also offer you free gifts at various times of the year, such as for your birthday or for other special occasions. You may also receive special coupons in the mail or in your email every now and then.
Order the Special of the Day
A lot of restaurants have a “special of the day” that is available for a lower price than many of the other items on the menu. Consider ordering this; it can be a great way to try new things and to save money. Plus, a lot of these specials are based off of fresh ingredients that the restaurant has on hand, so it might be fresher and tastier than other menu items that you could have ordered.
Eat a Family-Style Meal
In many cases, meals that are served family-style — such as a restaurant that serves whole pizzas or lasagnas — can be more affordable than ordering each person at the table a separate plate, especially if you have a larger family. Plus, it can be fun to share a meal in a restaurant in this way!
As you can see, even though dining out can certainly be more costly than eating at home, there are steps that you can take that will help you save money. If you follow these tips, you might be surprised by how much you can save when dining out. It’s a great way to keep costs reasonable and to stick to your budget while allowing yourself to indulge and have a little bit of fun every once in a while.
Here’s an info-graphic to use as a cheat sheet.
