Some people think it is impossible to save money and eat out on a budget, but I say poo.
While we don’t eat out very often as a single-income household, we do enjoy an occasional restaurant visit.
In January, we actually managed to underspend on our grocery and eating-out budget! Hardy ever happens so we wanted to celebrate that success.
My 9-year-old, Jelly Bean, has been asking to go to “that restaurant with the breadsticks” ever since we came back from a family trip in October. You know, the one with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.
Well, one finally opened nearby us and we had some extra money in the budget so we said, “what the hey, let’s go!”
But, as I told the kids, this was a special treat as we weren’t celebrating anything and I only wanted to use the money that was extra from last month, so as a team, we came up with a plan to fully enjoy our experience, without going over budget. (Build A Budget That Works For You)
Here are our tips for Eating out While On A Budget:
Go During Lunch Specials
Many large chain restaurants offer lunch specials. During the hours of 11 am-3 pm, Monday-Friday, you can get slightly smaller servings of your favorite dishes for way less than a full dinner plate.
If you are really craving a special dish or want the beautiful atmosphere of a favorite restaurant, make a lunch date instead of a dinner date. You can get the same food and atmosphere for less!
Kids Eat Free
If you’ve got little ones, eating out can really add up! Especially, if those little ones aren’t big eaters anyways.
My kids have always enjoyed the “fanciness” of eating out in restaurants. While they’ve long since outgrown kid-sized meals, going out to eat during “kids eat free” days used to be a favorite money-saving tip.
Check out local restaurants in your area to see where “Kids Eat Free.” It is usually on weekdays, like Tuesday to drive in business and require the purchase of an adult meal. If your kiddos can still get fed on a kid-sized meal, make sure to check this out.
Choose Restaurants That Offer Unlimited Bread
I know, I know, filling up on bread isn’t the healthiest option, but when I go to a restaurant with delicious unlimited bread, I’m in heaven. Considering we eat healthy about 90% of the time, I don’t see a problem with going a little crazy on bread during special nights out.
By literally filling up on bread, I am often too full to even make a dent in my actual entree. Because of this, I’m able to get it to go and enjoy it for a whole other meal.
And I mom the same way. My kids love unlimited bread too. When we went to lunch the other day, we all enjoyed as much salad and breadsticks as we wanted. By the time our entrees came, none of us took more than 5 bites. We packed them up to go, along with a few more breadsticks, and had a full second meal for all 3 of us for the price of one. And even some extra for the hubs.
Not the healthiest money-saving hack, but definitely the yummiest!
Save Money- Order Water or Sparkling Water
Those $5 glasses of unlimited soda can really add to your waistline and your restaurant bill. Not to mention those non-unlimited glasses of apple juice, wine, or margaritas.
Purchasing drinks at restaurants can really cut into your budget. Instead, just order a regular ol’ glass of ice water. It’s much healthier for you too. (Balance out the bread)
Or, if you want to still feel fancy without the extra calories or cost, order a regular soda water with lemon and/or lime. I found this trick when I had to start limiting the amount of sugar in my diet.
It is just carbonated water. Most restaurants have it behind the bar and offer it for free. By squeezing a little lemon, lime, or even strawberry juice, whatever fruit they have on hand for garnish, you can make your own free soda. (If you really need the sweet, you can always add a packet of sugar from the table too)
Don’t Forget Your Coupons or Discount Cards
Restaurants are always offering coupons or discounts to drive in customers. Check your local newspaper, online ads, or Groupon to see what coupons are available.
Make sure to read them for terms and requirements. This can be a great way to save on special outings.
Become A Member and Earn Points When You Eat Out On A Budget
Many restaurants from large chains to small cafes offer membership sign-ups and discounts. Our favorite bubble tea shop has a simple punch card. 10 drinks and get a free one. (How I Taught My Kids My Phone Number) Or large chains that offer free desserts on your birthday or $10 off a $50 purchase.
These deals can really add up without you even realizing it. If some place offers a free membership, grab it. You might not know when you’ll ever go back but it can be worth it.
We got a great deal when a large chain sent us coupons for a free pizza, free birthday dessert, and $10 off a $30 purchase the week of Mr. Bean’s birthday one year. It made going out to celebrate so much easier on the budget and therefore more fun and relaxing for us.
Save Money- Buy The Good Stuff and Make The Rest
Our biggest trick for enjoying eating out while on a budget is to purchase our favorite, hard-to-make items for pick-up from our favorite restaurants and then make the easy parts of the meal at home.
We love Thai food. Our favorite little restaurant makes the best panang curry and I do not have the patience or skill to learn to make it as good as they do (there are keffir leaves and stuff I am not willing to deal with). BUT I can make sticky rice and crispy tofu. It’s ridiculously easy. And the kids learned how to make summer rolls in their cooking class.
With each serving of sticky rice costing $4 at the restaurant and a house full of sticky rice lovers, we were spending more on sticky rice than anything else. And as the kids grew, one order of crispy tofu wasn’t enough anymore.
So, when we want a nice Thai food night, we spend the money to get our favorite curry, then put in a tiny bit of effort to make the rest at home with ingredients we keep on hand.
Our bi-weekly Thai food habit went from $65 a week to just $24. We can enjoy it way more often and have even more leftovers than before! Win-win.
Spread The Joy By Leaving a Big Tip
One of my favorite parts of saving money on eating out is being able to use some of that extra money to leave a big tip.
Servers and restaurant workers bust their butts, often for very little pay. And they do it with a huge smiles on their face to ensure you receive the best experience possible. I worked in the service industry through high school and college so I have first-hand knowledge. (Survival Tips For College)
While I’m out here, saving money and enjoying life, I want to make sure I’m giving back to help others live a slightly better life as well.
If I’m getting bubble tea or picking up from a restaurant, I always make sure to at least round up the nearest dollar and add another dollar, minimum.
Eating at a restaurant, 20% is the minimum tip I’ll leave. More, if our server was just super wonderful.
Wrap-Up
Living on a budget allows you to use your money to enjoy what’s important in life and forget the rest.
For us, great food and time together are important so we make sure to budget for eating out on special occasions, as well as everyday celebrations.
There’s a major difference between being frugal while living on a budget and just being cheap.
Frugal means you eat out less often to save money.
Cheap means you don’t tip your waiter to save money.
Don’t be cheap.
Plan ahead, save money, and enjoy life. Then try to spread that joy to others whenever possible.
How do you save money on eating out? Is eating out important in your life? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
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