Frugal Fridays

Generally here at Frugal Fridays our Thursday Thirteens are focused on how to save money at home.  Let’s face it though, we all like to go out to eat on occasion, whether it’s for a birthday or anniversary dinner or just for a break from the ordinary.  As usual, we here at Frugal Fridays are here to help!

While eating at home will almost always be far more frugal than dining out, there are ways you can save money when doing so.  Some are very much common sense choices.  Others may surprise you, I know they surprised me!  So please be sure to keep on reading.

Thirteen Ways to Save Money When Eating Out

1. Order appetizers or lunch portions instead of ordering from the dinner menu: Most casual dining establishments will give you more than enough to satisfy you on the appetizer menu.  If not, just have that dessert at home!
2. Plan on Leftovers: Order a nice large meal and then just eat half.  Save the rest for lunch tomorrow or as a quick dinner after work the next day.  This effectively cuts your restaurant bill in half.
3. Split your Entree: Again, many restaurants serve far more food on one plate than you really need for one meal.  If both you and your partner are in the mood for lighter fare, just ask for another plate. (It is still polite to tip as though you had ordered for two, though.)
4. Skip the Beverages: Want to see a significant drop in the bill the next time you eat out?  Just order water and a slice of lemon.  Restaurant markups on drinks help keep them in business.  I mean really, would you drink tea at home if it cost you $3.00 per glass?
5. One Meal for two kids: If you have young children, why pay the price of two children’s meals if neither child will finish a whole meal?  Order one of the larger children’s meals and split it, then have a nice bowl of ice cream at home!
6. Look for kids eat free nights: Around here that would be Thursday at most of the local chains, Sunday at a few local places.  Everyone gets to enjoy eating out, but the meals for kids under 13 is free! (When I’ve got my boys with me, this can save me upwards of $60.00!)
7. Get the book: Most towns and communities offer a “dining out book” of some type.  These books can have some really great coupons and deals in them.  Just read the fine print! Some deals look too good to be true, and if that’s the case, they probably are.
8. Go for the starters: If the restaurant you’re eating at offers free bread sticks, soups, salads or chips and salsa (or queso), fill up on the freebies and order a smaller, less expensive meal.  You’ll be just as full, but you’ll have more money.
9. Atmosphere Phatmoshpere: Why pay an extra $10.00 per plate to order at a trendy bistro?  If you’re just heading for a casual night out, hit a family style or casual dining restaurant instead.  Save the really posh eateries for really special occasions. (Note from Jerry: The best Mexican food I’ve ever eaten came out of a literal “hole in the wall” in Chicago, Il.  No seating, no tables, take-out only.  The “better” mexican place down the road was considerably more expensive, but the food stunk!)
10. Skip Dessert: Unless dessert is the reason you went out, why not skip it and make a sunday at home with that special someone? It’s just as tasty, and you get to have a lot of fun with the whipped cream! (Not that way! Get your mind out of the gutter!)
11. Look for an early bird menu: They still exist at some restaurants.  Slightly smaller portions of most of the meals served on the dinner menu, and you’ll still have plenty of time to catch a movie.
12. Check out Restaurants.com: Many of the larger chains offer coupons through this service.  Why not use them if you can find them?
13. And finally Eat at home: whether it’s take and bake pizza or a restaurant inspired meal, it’s still the least expensive way to go.  Make it special.  Eat in the living room on a blanket in front of a fire or propped up against the sofa watching movies.  There’s no reason eating at home can’t be fun!  If you’ve got kids, find a sitter that can take them at a different location.  Having the house to yourself is far better tah any restaurant!

Tips gathered from the following sources:

• Thrifty Fun
• Mommy Savers
• Saving Advice

As always, it’s been a pleasure.  Please stop by tomorrow for the official beginning of the second of July’s Frugal Fridays Food Events!  This seek is looking like it’s going to shape up to be a great one!

Happy TT!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

• Share the Love!
  
  • Bloglines
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

This post is tagged Thursday Thirteen, Thursday Thirteen Meme