Now we come to the best way to eat out, for free (or at least for a discount). In two earlier articles, the original Save Money When Eating Out, and Save Money When Eating Out: Ordering Strategies, I covered many of the ways that you can enjoy a family meal out at a restaurant and still so it frugally. Go check those articles out, if you haven’t read them, yet.
Stock up on the coupons. I’m assuming that with kids and a frugal lifestyle, you aren’t going to any place that is called Chez Fancy Pants. Look for coupons in deals in the local papers, online and in the Deals Blog. Since we sometimes eat out on impulse or necessity (for example, then the doctor appointment runs late and the kids are starving), I try to keep a stock of coupons and restaurant punch cards handy in the car. The discounts really do add up.
Take advantage of the Kids Eat Free Deals. There are many restaurants that will offer one or two complete kids meals absolutely free with the purchase of an adult meal. Click here to learn more about this great phenomena.
If they aren’t free, avoid kids meals like the plague. You’ll be better off buying a regular menu item and having the kids split it. Or, if there are at least two adults, agree to order different entrees and share your meals with the kids. When you add in the bread and salad that usually come with a meal, there will be plenty of food. Remember, the goal isn’t to being home leftovers. So, whatever the kids eat is essentially free.
Many people swear by the Entertainment book. This is a book that offers many buy-one-get-one free deals on adult meals. It also contains lots of coupons for fast food as well. The cost of the book is generally between $20 and $40, depending on the area you live in. It is definitely worth while if you eat out a lot and are willing to try new places. Sometimes you can even get a 50 percent discount off of the cost of the book itself, if you order them in February instead of November of the previous year.
Mystery shopping is a great way to get lots of free meals. With mystery shopping, you sign up with a company that sends you out to dinner. You buy your normal meal, which is reimbursed after you send in a survey or report on the quality of the food, the service of the restaurant, etc. Mystery shoppers eat everywhere from pizza places to steak houses.
I hope this series has been helpful.
How do you save money when you eat out?
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