3 Ways to Save Money on Food
For the vast majority of American’s, being a homeowner means living on some sort of budget, and trying to save. That said, there is one spending category that millions fall short on every month – food. Did you know that on average Americans spend more money on eating out than they do on actual groceries? That is crazy! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy grabbing dinner with friends or ordering pizza as much as the next person, but to spend more on that than actual groceries seems a little excessive. That said, if going out to eat is an absolute staple in your lifestyle, there are 3 great ways to at least make going out to eat a little more cost effective, leaving more money in your wallet at the end of the month.
Do Your Research
Every restaurant has a website, and the majority of them offer online versions of their menu. Take a few minutes and check out the menu online when picking where to eat. That way you will know, or at least have a general idea of what you want before you arrive. This will also help you if you get overwhelmed by lengthy menus. A lot of the time, lengthy menus cause you end up making a hasty decision and most likely, it will not be the most cost-effective one. So why not take some time, and scan the menu and prices beforehand, so you know what you are getting yourself into.
Take Advantage of Kid Specials
If you are a parent, or an Aunt or Uncle, and are looking for a way to spend time with the little ones in your life, while not breaking the bank, take a look around for “kids eat free” specials. It isn’t uncommon for restaurants to offer this once or twice a week. This can make going out to eat as a family MUCH more affordable, and the kids won’t know the difference – they will just think that you are awesome for taking them out for dinner.
Don’t Waste Your Money on Appetizers or Dessert
I know…I love appetizers…they’re so good! But they are also so bad for your wallet! When trying to stick to a budget when going out to eat, and you are like me and love ordering an appetizer along with your entrée…you are wasting a lot of money. The reality is that if you are that hungry that you need to order something before your meal, you should probably just have a snack before leaving your house. Think about it, you order sweet potato fries, shrimp or garlic bread and before your meal even arrives you are half as hungry as you were when you placed your order. What happens to your meal? A lot of the time entrees end up being too big for most people to finish in that one sitting anyway, why spend even more money on food that is going to make it even more difficult to finish your meal? And as for dessert? If you were too full to finish your meal, why not just buy a tub of ice cream on the way home and eat it while curled up on your couch later in the evening?