Make Your Certificates Go Further

Already Snagged a Half Off or Better Certificate?

Stretch That Bad Boy Further!

Always read and know the terms and limitations of certificates that you get on the super cheap through sites such as Groupon, Living Social, or Restaurant.com.  Then, rethink just using the certificate to get an even BETTER value out of it!

The other evening, a couple friends were going to use a Living Social certificate they had purchased. They bought the Pan Asia restaurant deal ($20 for $40 certificate).  They invited me and my kids (so nice, right?) to go, their treat!  I said sure!!

Then, they used words that I love to hear: "Let's go to an early dinner and hit the early bird specials!"

Awesome! Almost everything we ordered was off the Early Bird Menu.  At Pan Asia, if you time it right, ALL SUSHI, ALL APPETIZERS, ALL "Create your own Stir Fry", and a LOT of Drinks are HALF OFF!  

Originally, $20 was paid for a $40 certificate. By mostly ordering the half off specials, we got $95 worth of food and paid with the $40 certificate and an extra $15. So, $35 total out of pocket for $80 of really great food!! I was so very proud!!

We made sure to tip on the pre-certificate discount amount.  What a steal!

If you know Pan Asia, you will know that you normally cannot buy:

Garlic Naan, Regular Naan, Avocado Rolls, California Rolls, Tea, Pepsi, 2 Shrimp Stir Frys, 1 Vegetable Stir Fry, Shrimp Pad Thai, AND a Lime Tart Dessert for $35 + Tip. The generous host of the dinner out picked up the remaining tab of about $15 after the certificate was taken off the tab, and the other guest and I split the tip!  Mmm!

The point here is that you should not be too casual in your thinking on these half off or better deals.  You can really stretch the value if you take a moment to think about the deal (and consider the exclusions) to see how to best use such a great certificate! 

*Also, I have had great luck with Blue Plate Specials such as at Blow Fly Inn on the MS Gulf Coast.  They have $2.75 red beans and rice plates that are soo  yummy on Saturdays.  I love taking a Restaurant.com certificate in during red beans and rice lunch!! Talk about stretching that deal far.. mmmm!

Don't you just love a good dinner deal??!