I’m a huge fan of eating out! I love to eat! But it can get expensive very quickly. In fact, I probably spend most of my discretionary budget on groceries and dining. Here are some helpful tips for eating out!
Avoid Convenience Stores or Other High Mark-Ups
Road trips can make you hungry. So can just being out and about all day. However, if you have to eat on the run, avoid eating at convenience stores, gas stations, or similar places. The reason? They mark up their food huge to make a profit. Most of these stores depend on their convenience food business to make a profit, since they usually sell gas or other loss-leading commodities. As a result, that food is going to cost a bunch more, and usually be pretty unhealthy for you.
Need to eat on the run? Look for a national chain. Besides being cheaper, most do offer healthier alternatives.
Use Coupons
Coupons are becoming all the rave! With shows like Extreme Couponing, many people are starting to catch on. While many use coupons for groceries, many restaurants offer them as well. If you check your local paper, or even in the “junk mail” that comes every day, you can usually find coupons to local restaurants, or even nationwide chains.
These coupons can offer great savings – discounts, 2-for-1 deals, and even free items. If you were on the fence about going to that new place, maybe a coupon will make up your mind! And once you figure out how to save money using coupons, you’ll realize how easy it really is.
Use Groupon/Living Social Deals
A lot of places, including food places, are using Groupon or Living Social to promote themselves. If you haven’t signed up for these sites yet, I highly recommend it. You can find some great deals on restaurants that can be worth up to around 40% off! That is a huge savings!
Similar to these sites for restaurants is Restaurant.com. This site partners with tons of restaurants, and you can usually find great coupons and deals on the site. You essentially buy a giftcard, but you can save a ton of money by doing so.
Readers, what other tips and tricks do you have for saving money while eating out?
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him here and here.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.
Dana says
We save money on dining out by going when specials are run (usually an earlier dinner hour) or during family promotions (1 kid’s meal free with purchase of 1 adult meal).
Robert says
A lot of restaurants are doing kids eat free lately. Good promo especially if you have 2 kids!
SB @ One Cent At A Time says
Even restaurant.com deals are fine too. I try to get the specials from nearby restaurants. Last month we took one Tuesday special when prices were cut in half.
krantcents says
In addition, I like local restaurants who have loyalty programs. I either earn money off or a free meal. I think it is a great idea.
retirebyforty says
I think using coupons and Groupon/Google deals are a great way to try new restaurants. We don’t eat out much so we usually go to our favorites when we go out.
Robert says
I haven’t tried Google deals, maybe I will check it out!
Annalisa Linder says
You can often get $25 restaurant com certs for 2 bucks near holidays by typing in promo codes for restaurant .com in search and then there you go.
Robert says
That’s a great call. Promo codes are always helpful!
Jackie says
I’m a total eating out addict. I don’t actually spend that much on each meal out though, because the things I like are usually pretty inexpensive, and I’m not a big eater. (Except for pizza, mmmm, which is pretty cheap anyway.) So basically I save money by going out to eat less.
chaimaa says
i too find good deals on the website restaurent.com , coupons also like u said are a good way ! its true i actually think i spend most my money on eating out ! i LOVE eating out with friends and family
Devin says
I like to go out to eat once a week, I use groupon and living social and I have saved a lot
Ashley Morrissey says
Groupon has honestly became my new best friend. I recommend everyone try it! There’s even an APP on smart phones for it.
Jim says
Your right Robert, convenience stores are horrible places to eat for a multitude of reasons. Outside the obvious-that they don’t usually serve any healthy food- they are a haven for highly marked up food. I call them habit stores, cause everything a convenience store sells supports many people’s habits in some form or another. Booze, food, cigarettes, lottery tickets, caffeine, etc, etc. No place to hang out if your on a budget!
Dear Debt says
Going out to eat is my one luxury/vice! I also use groupon, scoutmob, or go during happy hour. I use coupons too! When I go out for sushi, I had a snack, then go or else I could spend $30 by myself!