If you’re trying to live frugally, the first thing that gets cut from your budget is eating out. You know that you can eat at home for a fraction of the cost of eating at a restaurant. So why would you even spend your time trying to find a way to eat out inexpensively?
The reality is that sometimes you just want to eat out. Maybe it’s your and your husband’s anniversary. Or, maybe you want to celebrate paying off your credit card balance. Whatever your reason for dining out might be, you can still enjoy a great meal without busting your budget.
One of the first ways to contain costs at a restaurant is to consider the time of your meal. Lunches at swanky restaurants are typically much more affordable than their evening counterparts. If you and your girlfriends are celebrating a special occasion, why not meet for lunch? You can enjoy the same great meal and then squeeze in a little window shopping.
The type of restaurant you choose to eat in also factors into the cost of your meal. While sophisticated restaurants will come with a pretty hefty price tag, casual dining establishments or buffet-style restaurants will be much more affordable. If the occasion for your outing warrants, you and your friends may enjoy the laid-back atmosphere more, anyway.
Another way to keep dining costs low is to skip the appetizer. Let’s face it; restaurant portions are huge anyway. You can save your pocketbook and your waistline by foregoing the appetizer and focusing on selecting the perfect entrée.
Alcoholic drinks are another expense that you can do without at the restaurant. In fact, having a drink or two is almost as expensive as the main part of the meal at many restaurants. If you and your friends would like to enjoy a cocktail, you can always invite everyone back to your home afterwards and host your own happy hour.
Finally, don’t be bashful about taking advantage of any specials or coupons you can find to cut the price of your dining experience. Discount programs like the popular Entertainment Book often feature coupons for discounted entrées or free appetizers. Just remember to tip your server based upon the full meal price; waiters need to make a living, too.
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