How to Save Money Eating Out, Part Two

Thrifty Thinking

There are seasons and moments in our lives that call us to eat out. The way we live, it’s ALMOST unavoidable. If I’m at all honest with you, I really try to eat at home or bring portable meals most of the time when we are out. Eating home cooked meals not only saves money, but it’s plain healthier. Anyway, here are a few ideas to save money on those times that call us to eat out. 

Wondering if you missed part 1? I’m starting on 6. because I just guest posted at Stacy Makes Cents, so if you want to see my first five ideas on how to save money eating out, go HERE.

6. If you can choose the type of restaurant, opt for Mexican. The family can fill up on the free chips and salsa. Last fall we were on a road trip and went to one Mexican restaurant that had bean dip, too. BONUS! Protein. We made one adult meal stretch FAAAAAAR with the kids. We ordered them one adult meal together and still had leftovers!

7. In a sit down restaurant try ordering a main dish from the appetizers. The night Jonathan and I got engaged he took me to a really nice restaurant, La Luna, in Spokane.  He was prepared to come out with a huge bill, but add his thrifty soon-to-be-wife to the equation, and saving money started right away. We ended up ordering a pizza from the appetizer menu and came out with about a $20 bill! Great for a fancy-schmancy place on our engagement night, I say!

8. See if the sit-down restaurant you’ve had your eye on has an early bird special, or a special of the day. They are usually good bargains, and a lot of times they offer a three course meal.

9. Don’t use a buy-one-get-one-half-price-with-the-purchase-of-two-drinks coupon. Say what??? Don’t use a coupon? Do the math. And we’ll do easy math, at that. Let’s say your dish is $10, your husband’s is $10, and your drinks are $2.50 each. So you save $5, and the drinks you WEREN’T going to get originally because you were drinking the healthier water option, end up being a wash. You end up feeling gross cuz you just drank some of the soda and couldn’t choke the rest down. Well…maybe that’s not you, but really…typically they won’t let you use that coupon with the early bird special of the day, which is usually much better!

10. If you are sharing stretch your main course with a side of rice or something agreeable.

Go HERE to read How to Save Money Eating Out Part One.

What are the ways you save money when eating out?

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