If you shop the sales in retail stores to save money, then it makes sense that you do the same with dining out. Saving money at restaurants helps your peace of mind and your budget.
For lunch during the workday, a sit-down restaurant will cost $13-$15. Fast casual costs $10-$12. A fast food combo costs $7-$9.
Dinner out with friends might include 2 margarita’s, an appetizer to share, and a meal. Your bill will be $40 with a 15% tip.
Yes, there is a cost for convenience, but you shouldn’t feel like you got swindled. There are smarter ways to be a savvy consumer.
On the days when the chicken isn’t thawed yet or I don’t feel like cooking, I will take my family out to eat. This post will walk you through some basic strategies to save money at restaurants.
Feeling Guilty
In a new survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Slickdeals, 2,000 Americans were asked what they feel guilty about when spending money. The survey found that an average American will make $277,680 worth of guilty purchases in their life. And….the biggest out of ten catagories?
Our most guilty pleasure is Eating Out (47%). Not surprising since prices at restaurants are so overpriced. Closely following is New Clothes (46%) and then Electronics (38%). Next, Shoes and Take Out tied at (35%).
Here are the top ten guilt-inducing purchases:
|
TOP 10 THINGS AMERICANS FEEL GUILTY SPENDING ON |
|
|
1. Going out to eat |
47% |
|
2. Clothes |
46% |
|
3. Electronics (TV, phone, etc.) |
38% |
|
4. Shoes |
35% |
|
5. Take out |
35% |
|
6. Alcoholic drinks |
34% |
|
7. Cosmetics/beauty items |
31% |
|
8. Snacks |
30% |
|
9. Vacation and travel |
24% |
|
10. My passions |
24% |
1. Sign Up For Rewards
Many restaurants have loyalty programs or reward clubs and will send coupons or limited time discounts right to your inbox. You can download their app or sign up via email. I have a second email address dedicated to these programs. It’s easy to quickly search your email or app for the latest promotions.
If you sign up with your birthday information (or pick any date), keep an eye on your inbox for those free gifts too.
Recently I took the family out to Buca Di Beppo for my son’s birthday. They had emailed a FREE Colossal Brownie Sundae and a $20 off $40 gift card. Combined with the other tips listed in this post, our total bill was $22 (not including tax + tip.) Amazing for a party of 5!
2. Collect Coupons
These can come stuffed in your local newspaper mailings, the entertainment book, Valpak, Groupon, Facebook, and websites. When deciding which restaurant to visit, you can quickly thumb through these.
I have a drawer that’s designated for these coupons. Also keep some coupons in your car for those impromptu occasions.
3. Pass On The Booze
If it’s not happy hour, the cost per drink can be the same as a meal! It’s best to skip it, unless you want to feel robbed.
It’s an industry standard that restaurants markup their beer, wine, and liquor prices by 20-30%. This means you will be paying 70-80% more than you should.
For example, an $8 drink has been marked up from $1.60. Here is a good article from The Motley Fool on “The Real Markup On Your Bar Tab Revealed”.
At Olive Garden, I paid $7.50 for a glass of wine (4 oz.=half glass). The next day, I found the whole bottle for $8 at the local grocery store.
Check out this video from Business Insider for the best and worst deals at a bar:
4. Don’t Settle For Lemons
Everyone knows to order water instead of soda to save money. I think the servers have even come to expect it.
Ordering water, not bottled, is still a great option to save except that the water tastes like…tap water (yuck!).
I always order my water with lemon to mask the tap water taste, but I also bring drink mixers. I call them “Squirters” in my house.
These little gems are easy to use, just add a squirt or two to your water. It’s very convenient to keep them in your pocket and the kids love the taste. I’ve also tried the powder tubes and added sugar (free condiment on the table).
Craving a carbonated beverage? If it’s available, order a soda water. It is usually free (ask your server) and then add your favorite squirter flavor.
5. Dine On A Full Belly
They say don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. The same idea applies when you go out to eat.
The first stage in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is called physiological. These are biological requirements for human survival and include air, food, drink, shelter, etc.
When we are hungry, our behavior and sole interest, above all else, is to satisfy that food need. Staying on budget will become secondary and you will be seduced by temptations.
Have an appetizer at home or a snack before you walk in. You can also choose a restaurant that gives free bread baskets or chips & salsa.
The goal is to fill up on these freebies. Then you can just order a side item, small appetizer, or skip the meal entirely and go straight to the dessert.
Places With Freebies
Most Mexican restaurants will offer free chips & salsa. Chili’s rewards program offers FREE Chips & Salsa (bottomless, a $4.29 value) or a Non-Alcoholic Beverage with a minimum $5 purchase by visiting participating Chili’s at least once every 60 days.
I tested this reward and after the chips & salsa, I couldn’t finish a bowl of chili ($5.49). Be aware, the table tablets to apply the rewards and pay the bill do not work. The manager has to remove the chips & salsa or beverage from the bill.
For free bread baskets, rolls, or loafs visit these restaurants:
- Olive Garden (salad & breadsticks)
- Red Lobster (cheddar bay biscuits)
- Outback Steakhouse (loaf of brown bread)
- Buca Di Beppo (house baked bread)
- Macaroni Grill (rosemary bread)
- Texas Roadhouse (basket of rolls & peanuts)
- Ruby Tuesday (garlic cheese biscuits)
You can find more at Click Here.
6. Portion Control
If you are with a friend, split a meal. A restaurant’s portion sizes can be large so you can easily share.
Before ordering, let the server know so you can get an extra plate. Keep in mind, some restaurants may charge a fee for the extra plate.
7. Kids Eat Free
Anyone with kids knows that you can save by visiting a restaurant that offers a “kids eat free” day.
The Krazy Coupon Lady has a good list to reference, Click Here.
Look closely when ordering, some kids meals do not include a drink (iHop and Buca Di Beppo). If so, order a water and add the drink squirter for the kiddo’s.
8. Room for Dessert
If you saved room for dessert or craving an after-dinner coffee, find it somewhere else. Restaurant desserts can be pricey unless you’re there for a free birthday dessert.
Stock your freezer with frozen treats or head to another establishment (maybe one that specializes in desserts or coffees).
9. Pack For A Picnic
Packing your lunch saves you that daily expense. Every combo meal or lunch special adds up over a month. Combine that with fuel costs and you’ve spent hundreds of dollars.
For 3 years, I worked at a job in the middle of nowhere (similar to Area 51). No restaurants, no stores, nothing but tumbleweeds. I had no choice, packing a lunch (for the whole day) was a necessity.
I stuffed my giant insulated lunch bag with last night’s dinner leftovers, kept a case of water in the trunk of my car, and stashed a variety of snacks in my desk drawer.
Packing a lunch is not that hard to do, if you plan and prepare. To get away from your desk on those nice weather days, grab a blanket and make it a picnic (then watch the lunch walkers circle the parking lot).
10. Brush Up Your Hosting Skills
Instead of going out to dinner with friends, host a dinner party in your home or have a backyard barbecue. This would provide a more personal, intimate, and memorable experience for everyone.
Restaurant catering can be just as expensive as dining in. The catered food is cold and the customer has to warm it up at home.
If you’re not up to cooking for a dinner party, membership warehouse clubs, such as Costco or Sam’s Club, have many pre-made cold items to heat up for a lower cost.
***Bonus Tips:
- Take advantage of early bird specials
- Enjoy Happy Hour promotions
- Catch the lunch specials before they end, anywhere from 2pm – 5pm.
- Don’t order what you can make at home:
- Pasta dishes
- Coffee drinks
- Guacamole
- Eggs
- Pancakes & Waffles
The total cost to make these items are less than a dollar at the grocery store and don’t require you to be an iron chef.
If you’re going to spend the money, pick something that would be difficult to make, has rare ingredients, or needs to be cooked with a special technique.
Final Thoughts
Of course, the best way to save is to not go, eat at home. But when that can’t happen, I hope these strategies will help you.
Do you have any money saving tips?
What other things are you looking to save on?
Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
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Excellent tips!