Is the recession cutting into your budget? Whether you have been directly affected or have friends and relatives who have had dire economic circumstances come home to roost, it’s hard not be thinking about where we spend our money and where we can cut back.
Everybody likes to eat out, in fact according to the National Restaurant Association, more than half of Americans’ food budget is spent on meals outside the home. As moms spend more time working and their lives become busier, eating out has become part of our way of life. And even as the recession looms, 73% of us haven’t changed how often we eat out. But what has changed is the amount of money we are spending. So if you are among the many people interested in maintaining your lifestyle, but would like to spend less money doing it, we have some tips to help you save money when you eat out with your family.
Drink tap water. Beverages can be a huge add-on to your dinner bill. Consider this. Dinner for four averages $9 per person for a total of $36. If 2 adults drink wine or beer and kids drink pop, you can easily add another $20 to the bill, for a total of $56. If you enjoy having wine and beer when you eat out, seek out places with happy hour specials.
Speaking of happy hour… Many places have complimentary snacks and half priced plates during happy hour. You may have to eat earlier than you are used to, but it might be worth the cost.
Seek out “kids eat free” specials. Many places build loyalty by offering kid’s specials a certain night of the week. If you have older children, go later. It will be quieter then.
Go to Restaurant.com and buy a gift certificate. They routinely offer gift certificates at 80% off - a $25 gift certificate would cost you $5. You usually have to spend another $10 at the restaurant and many certificates aren’t valid on Fridays and Saturdays, but the restrictions are spelled out before you purchase. Plus, they have contracts with some terrific restaurants you may have never tried, so it’s an inexpensive way to broaden your horizons.
Eat soup and salad. Better for you than a cheeseburger, most places offer a soup and salad combo. As long as you don’t load up on the salad dressing, you can save money and calories by going green.
So don’t skimp on eating out, go out there and stimulate the economy. But save some money doing it. Your wallet and peace of mind will thank you for it.