10 Tips On Saving Money At Restaurants

These days, going out to eat isn’t just a special occasion – it has become a way of life for some. Grabbing a quick meal at a restaurant between events or games, is a weekly occurrence for many. Celebrating special occasions by eating out, is more of a norm now – it isn’t about GOING out to eat, but WHERE we go. Eating at a fancy restaurant with your friends (just to show them that you too, can afford fancy restaurants) soon turns into a lifestyle.

Eating out is getting more and more common. The thing is, our wallets aren’t necessarily become thicker and thicker. How do you go out to eat, yet do it in a non-budget breaking way?

Ways to Save MONEY Eating Out:
1. Don’t judge the outside of a building. Often times, the fancier buildings, mean fancier prices. I remember a few months ago, Dan and I were in a smaller town and we drove by a burger joint. I saw the outside and told Dan there was no way I was going in there. I was quick to judge – Dan had other thoughts. He convinced me to go there and sure enough, it was a little ma and pa restaurant. Basic food for a cheap price. I learned my lesson.

2. Go out for lunch, not dinner. Lunch prices are usually cheaper (sometimes almost half the price). Why? I think because they give you less food (we really don’t need to eat a full dinner meal – lunch is plenty for our bodies), and it’s a quicker turnaround during the lunch period, so more can come in and out.

3. Know your restaurants – be privy to the on-going daily specials.

4. Ask about prices if not listed. No, the menu creators aren’t trying to save ink – they purposefully left out certain prices so that you don’t second guess ordering something (like drinks).

5. Don’t be wooed by fancy wording. Delicious, mouth-watering, etc. You know the wording that gets you to order something. Read between the words and figure out REALLY what you are ordering. The extra verbiage only is added on the menu – not always in taste.

6. Don’t order soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. This is how restaurants make big bucks I think! A soft drink for $2 or $3? Are you kidding? Alcoholic drinks – you can often buy a case of something for the price of two drinks at a restaurant. If you want to save, get water.

7. Watch out for appetizers. Yes, you are hungry and need food right then and there. Often, appetizers cost close to the same price as the main entrée! Don’t fall into the trap – either order it FOR your meal, or skip an appetizer altogether.

8. Upselling – “do you want to add a salad or soup?” Add doesn’t just mean more food – it means more out of your pocket. If it doesn’t come with it, don’t get it.

9. Listen. Often when you first are seated, the waiter or waitress starts with the specials of the day. Pay attention because sometimes those deals cost way less than something very similar to it on the main menu. For example, an 8 oz. sirloin steak special, may cost close to the same price as a 6 oz. sirloin steak. Listen closely and think about what they are saying. Weigh the options.

10. Make eating out special. Don’t pay $6.00 for grilled cheese when you can make grilled cheese for $.25 at home. If you are going to eat out, get something you wouldn’t normally make at home.

Who would’ve thought that restaurant eating could be so complicated, huh? Anytime you step into a business, they are going to try and get your business. Rightfully so – that is their job. At the same time, be careful about what you are getting, when you are getting it, and why you are getting it. Make going out enjoyable – not a budget-breaker!