What would you tell someone who’s trying to figure out how to save money on food? If you’re anything like me, the first thing that I would suggest is to save money by eating at home. But what about if you aren’t at home? Or if you are staying at a place that doesn’t have access to a fridge or cooking appliances? What would you do?
More than likely, you might have to eat out. So, here are some ways that you can cut down on your food budget and still enjoy eating out at the same time!
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Find Some Coupons To Use
Coupons aren’t just for stores. They are also great for saving money on food at restaurants! However, this option is usually limited to fast food restaurants. So, if you are planning to have a meal at an upscale restaurant, this won’t work. But, you can always keep this in mind in case you decide to head to a nearby fast food place for a quick meal. Some restaurants that regularly offer coupons (or coupon codes) are Burger King, KFC, and Dominoes.
A good place to find these restaurant coupons are in newspaper inserts and junk mail (usually you’ll get coupons for local restaurants in your area). On the other hand, if you’re looking for digital coupons, you can try looking online. Some great sites to check are:
It’s also a good idea to check if the place that you’re planning to eat at offers coupons. You can find a lot of coupons on the restaurant’s website or their app.
Split A Meal With Others
I’m pretty sure that we have all been to a restaurant that has served giant portions, which leaves us with the ultimate dilemma. Should we take it for the road, eat it all, or eat only what we can stomach? However, a better solution might be to split your meal with your tablemates!
The ultimate benefit of sharing your meal is that you can still eat out and save money at the same time. But beware, some restaurants have realized this and will charge you extra for splitting a meal. So, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of extra fees, or if you just don’t want to share, you can grab a to-go plate for your leftovers.
Look For Fast Food Discounts Or Restaurant Specials
You can also lower your cost of eating out by looking for discounts. One way that you can enjoy discounts is by going to your favorite restaurant on special days. A great example of this is Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day. You can also get a cheaper meal by taking advantage of restaurant specials. I think that a great restaurant that does this is Red Lobster because they offer both daily deals and family meal deals.
On the flip side, some restaurants allow certain individuals to get discounted food any time of the year. For instance, if you’re a college student you will have a discount at most fast food places. Some other people who might have a discounted meals are senior citizens (usually over the age of 55+), union workers, service members, and veterans.
Sign Up For Loyalty Programs
Another great way that you can save money at fast food restaurants is by signing up for loyalty programs. But, what is a loyalty program and why should you sign up for them?
Loyalty programs are just reward systems that organizations put in place to keep you coming back for more. And it sure does works! After you regularly participate in loyalty programs, you will start to earn points and bucks that will allow you to enjoy discounted products, free items, cashback, and other special perks! Who wouldn’t want that?
All you need to sign up for most loyalty programs is an name, number, and email (and don’t forget to check out birthday clubs for more freebies)!
Eat Off The Value Menu
You can also save money on food from restaurants by eating off of the value menu. Even places without the classic fast food dollar menu, have some items that aren’t priced too high. But if you still find that the prices are too expensive for your taste, it might be time to try another restaurant.
Skip Your Beverage Of Choice
What’s something else that can drain your wallet? Drinks. Seriously, depending on the drink, they can tack on a few bucks or charge even more. So, I highly suggest that you skip your favorite drink and have water instead. Not only is it the cheapest option, but it’s also the healthiest!
Pay With Your Credit Card
You might be wondering how you can save money on your food with a credit card. Well it’s possible because of their rewards! So, if you earn enough points (or cash back), you can lower your overall eating out expense. This means that you’ll pay for your meal now, but you’ll save in the future.
And if that doesn’t convince you to get a credit card, then these benefits might.
Keep Up With Restaurant Gift Cards
The best thing about gift cards is that you can still enjoy experiences without using your own money. So, having extra restaurant gift cards around is helpful! Some great times to ask for more are during your birthday or Christmas. And don’t forget to keep them in your wallet!
Did you enjoy learning how you could save money on food from restaurants? If you did, tell me your favorite tip in the comments below. Or, let me know another way that you save money eating out. Also, if you’re interested in learning how to save money while shopping, you can go here.
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Hannah Roberts is the creator of Do. Live. Study. She loves to learn new things and hopes to help others as they go throughout their journey as an adult. You can connect with her below.
I love all of these tips. I have purchased gift cards and used restaurants rewards systems. Its great to save money while enjoying a meal out.
I couldn’t agree with you more!