6 Ways to Save Money When Eating Out | Eating Cheap in Restaurants

Restaurant prices have gotten wild, but you can still save money eating out without giving up your favorite table. Food is one of the biggest line items in any family budget, and dinners out are usually the sneakiest part of your food budget.

The good news? A little planning goes a long way. With a few smart moves (think discounted gift cards, better timing, and skipping the drink upcharge) you can cut a restaurant bill nearly in half.

Here are six ways to keep eating out in the budget instead of blowing it.

Discount Dinner Coupons

Restaurant coupons didn’t die with the newspaper. They just moved.

Sign up for the email lists and download the apps for the places your family already loves. Most chains send a freebie or a BOGO offer just for joining, and loyalty apps regularly drop deals like free kids meals, discounted family bundles, and points toward free food.

Before you head out, take 30 seconds to check the restaurant’s app. Ordering through it sometimes gets you app-only pricing you won’t see at the counter.

Purchase Restaurant Gift Cards (At a Discount!)

This one feels like a cheat code. You can buy restaurant gift cards for less than face value, which means you’re saving money before you even order.

CardCash sells discounted gift cards to tons of restaurants, some with as much as 25% off. Warehouse stores like Costco sell restaurant gift card bundles below face value too, so grab one on your next run. Groupon still has local restaurant deals worth a scroll.

And watch for holiday gift card promos. Lots of restaurants run spend $50, get a free $10 card deals that you can stash for your next family dinner out.

Quick tip: pair a discounted gift card with a weekday special and you’ve stacked two discounts on one meal.

Join in the Fun on National dining days

You name it, and there’s a National ___ Day.

If you’re willing to do a little research you can easily plan your meals around these offers to take advantage of free food offered by participating restaurants.

Be sure to check out social media accounts of your favorite eateries as well to make sure you don’t miss out.

Meal Selection

Since the costs of meals on the menu are varied, it is best to have a price limit before sitting down at the restaurant. A great option to save money is to split a dinner meal. The cost of a la carte is usually at a higher expense.

Sharing a meal and an appetizer or salad will still provide a good meal for both.

Another choice is to dine at lunch instead of dinner. Often dinner meals are provided at a lunch price, and the portion is only slightly smaller.

Restaurant Deals

Many restaurants have weekly deals except on their busiest nights, such as Friday and Saturday. Some restaurants offer half-price appetizers, or children eat for free with an adult. For families, this can mean a big saving on the total cost. As for couples, appetizers can make a great meal with a little creativity.

Another suggestion is to eat between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 pm for the early bird special. Arriving at 5:45 gives you the price of the early bird special but the ambiance of the evening crowd.

Beverage Choice

One of the most expensive items on the menu is alcoholic beverages. Choose a less expensive option such as water with lemon, juice, or coffee. Alcoholic beverages can cost more than a meal. However, sometimes an alcoholic beverage is worth the cost; just make it last longer by putting the drink in a larger glass.

Final Thoughts

Eating at a restaurant is an indulgence, and one meal can be the cost of a week of groceries. Rather than eliminate restaurants be creative with meal selection, coupons, and the time of day for the visit. As well, ensure to leave a good tip for good service. Saving money is not being cheap. It is spending money wisely and giving tips to servers should be calculated in the price limit of the meal.