Eating Out on a Budget Means Fast Food, Right?

Going Out to Eat on a Budget 

Does NOT Always Mean Fast Food...

When you are on a tight budget, meals out can be a really nice treat or indulgence.  The tighter the budget, the more people automatically, out of habit even, assume that means you have to dine out at a restaurant with a drive thru and or playplace.  With a little work to find the deals, and a little self discipline (you really don't need that soda to go with your meal), you just might be surprised to find a restaurant just might be more economically feasible than those fast food chains.

• Check out local restaurants for local specials.  One of our favorite Saturday lunch spots is the Blow Fly Inn in Biloxi.  Saturday's Blue Plate Lunch Special features a BIG Bowl of homemade red beans and rice, and a nice large chunk of cornbread for $2.97. You can dine on the patio for a lovely view of the bay when the weather is nice.  My family of 5 orders three of these specials and the kids split theirs.  The total is about $9, plus tax and tip, so about $12 (we tip 20% and drink water).  For a family of 5.  When we go to Mc Donald's, it runs around $20 these days.  In this case, we save money, eat some good fresh cooking, and have a really nice experience.. and save money.  These deals are all over, you just have to discover them!
• Check out Restaurant.com for $25 off certificates for around $2.  Google for the current 80% off discount code for Restaurant.com.  Then, search your area for participating deals. Read the fine print before you  buy.  I love Restaurant.com. One of my favorite deals here recently was paying $2 for a $25 off $35 or more at House of Blues in New Orleans.  Then, we went to House of Blues during their "Half off Happy Hour."  We got so much food for super cheap.  Shrimp and catfish and etc etc.  Most of the appetizers were half price when we went, then we used our Restaurant.com certificate.  Again, cheaper than Burger King, and a really awesome experience.
• Check out your local tv and radio station websites. Most feature a weekly Half OFF deal.  Again, read the terms and don't be surprised by the S/H fee these types of deals tack on. You might get a $50 gift certificate for $25.. but then you usually also pay up to another $4 for S/H.  Also, read the delivery timeline.  These usually can take a few weeks before they are delivered.  **IF you are traveling to an area, check out their local sites before you go.  See if there are any half off deals you could buy months in advance and then use when you go.  
• For cheaper fast food experiences, check the locations you frequent. Get buddy buddy with the folks that work there and see if they ever have special promotional coupons,etc.  My Mc D's sells coupon books various times of the year.  $1 for 12 free food coupons.  Also, Chick Fil A is always looking for a reason to hand out a coupon, it seems.  Make friends with them and find out how you can get some.  They also sell calendars featuring 12 free food coupons. These run about $6 usually. The coupons are always really great though. One for this year's is a free grilled chicken strip salad!
• SKIP the soda. Really. At a restaurant, just skipping a drink and getting water can save you big.  Say three of you get drinks at about $2 a pop everytime you dine out. That is $6, plus tax and tip. So, about $7.70 just for the drinks. Now, let's say you eat out once a week. That is $400 a YEAR you could save just by ordering water when you eat out.  You just have to have that soda? Get one for $1 on the way home. 
• Think about your ordering a little more "creatively".  Is it cheaper to get two meals off the kids' menu? Or one adult entree and have the kids split? Or better yet, is it half price appetizer time and you could get the kids chicken strips that way and maybe add some broccoli on the side? Do the math and look at things outside the pre-packaged meal idea they present to you in the menu.  And look for the "bottomless" options, like free refills on chips and salsa, when you order.  Or like the Never Ending Soup, Salad, Breadsticks at Olive Garden.  
• Buffets can be cheaper.. way cheaper.. than fast food if you have a coupon and go during kids eat free.  They can also be way too expensive, so take a moment and do the math.
• Many communities offer freebies for kids.. schools, library programs, etc will give kids food freebies for participating. Try to keep on the lookout for these! School fund raisers often have some good discounts you can purchase from them, too.
• IF you are going out with your spouse, consider the cost of the sitter to the cost of the meal and see if it is really worth it. In most cases, that $60 burger is totally worth it for the peace and alone time...

Take the time to find the deals, coupons, and specials.  Make small changes like skipping the soda.  You will be really surprised at how many deals are out there for dining out experiences.   I love telling people I am going to Beef O'Brady's for dinner, because I can't afford Mc Donald's today.  


Where do you love to eat out? How do you find deals for dining out as a family?