With
more consumers making an effort to save money, dining out on a frequent basis
may be more challenging than what it was before the recession. Here are ways
that you can enjoy dining out more by spending less:
-
Clip coupons. This is one of the easiest ways to spend less money when you dine
out, especially since coupon booklets and money-saver magazines are mailed to
many households free of charge on a weekly basis. More dining establishments
are placing coupons in local newspapers and mailing discount cards. Many of
these coupons offer “buy one get one free” or “buy one get one half off” deals.
If you consistently dine at places that you have coupons for, you will see the
savings add up quickly.
-
Find recession-friendly restaurants that have a special menu with less
expensive items. Many casual and upscale restaurants alike have created
separate menus with less expensive items. These special menus are a condensed
version of the regular menu so the quality of food and your dining out
experience goes unchanged.
-
Dine at restaurants that offer small plates that can be shared. These small
plates are a great way to control spending and portion size.
-
Split menu items that are a larger portion. Most places serve above average
portions of the majority of their menu items. You can easily spend less by
splitting an entrée and a salad before your meal. It’s a win-win situation
because you save money and enjoy a nice, satisfying meal.
-
Look for places where kids eat free on a certain night of the week. It’s
generally a week night, but if you like to dine out with your family and have
one or more children, this offer is one to take advantage of.
-
Buy gift certificates online. There are many websites that offer gift
certificates for less than face value. Restaurant.com is just one example where
you can find great deals.
Even if one of the ways you’re trying to save money is by dining out less, you
can still find ways to spend less when you dine out, making your dining out
experiences more enjoyable.
