Need some more strategies for eating out and saving money? Here are additional ideas to help you enjoy your time away from the kitchen without breaking your budget.
If you haven’t read yesterday’s article, Save Money on Eating Out, you might want to check that one out. Just click here.
You don’t have to go into a restaurant and automatically order an appetizer, large entree and desert. Doing some smart ordering can save you a lot on your restaurant bill. Here are some ways to take advantage of all that menus have to offer and still pay less than with a traditional meal out.
Order two appetizers instead of a meal. Many times this will be a less expensive way to go, but check before you order.
Take advantage of salad bars, especially those that offer a discounted price when you order a meal. You’ll get more food that way and have plenty of your main dish to share. Plus, if you ask, most places will not mind when you share a salad bar plate with a small child.
Consider ordering two or three side items instead of a large meal. Often a couple of plates of veggies will fill you right up and will be healthier than a full-sized entry.
When you can, opt for a lunch out instead of a dinner out. Many times you will get the exact same food and portions for less. One famous pizza restaurant chain offers a free large family-size salad and breadsticks at lunch but charges extra for these items at dinner.
Skip the desert out and have it when you get home. Ice cream at home tastes just as good as ice cream out, and if you buy those inexpensive cake or sugar cones from the grocery store, the kids will be just as happy.
Look for tomorrow’s article, Save Money When Eating Out: Free Meals and Discounts, where I share some ideas for the best kind of restaurant meals; free or discounted ones!
How do you save money when you eat out?
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