Eating Out: Money Saving Ideas

My husband loves to eat out. To save $, we purchased an Entertainment Book. It costs approximately $20 and it comes with at least 100 "buy one entree, get one free" coupons to both upscale and fast food restaurants in our area. It also contains coupons for services such as dry cleaning, car washes, etc. Another thing we do, is try to frequent restaurants that will contribute to our son's 529 account via Upromise.com. This way we always say that we are eating for our son's college education. -- Adriana from TX

We have # boys under 4yo...when we do go out for dinner we look for "family friendly" places (good kids menu, lots of isle space for our stroller, fun atmosphere)....

My tips would be: pack a "Restaurant bag" to keep in your car. Mine has this in it:

Bibs (because they won't wear the disposable ones and mine have a tie on them they can't escape from!!:))
Clorox disinfecting wipes (I wipe the highchairs and tabletops they sit at! I used to waitress and know how nasty the cloths are you wipe the tables with!)
Wet Ones/no soap antibacterial wash (can you tell I'm a nurse?)
Toddler spoon and fork (with extra snack baggies to keep them in when their dirty)
Snacks (in case the waitress is slow with bringing the appetizer and/or crackers to tie them over till the meal comes)
Sippies: the 2 year-old just spills the kids meals drinks and plays with the straws)
Disposable place mats: look for them at consignment stores and/or garage sales, the dollar stores have them and so does Wal-Mart.
Thank you notes: have the kids sign them (or scribble a note) to your waitress, it will make her day!!:)

-- Debbie from MI

While waiting in line to be seated, get a menu and have your order ready and tell your person seating you to tell the waitress your ready to order immediately!!! even write it out for her if you wait longer than 10-15 minutes......speed is everything with three small hungry children! (and one breastfeeding mommy!!) Also, have her bring the check with the food if your not planning on dessert, it makes a quick exit if need be!! Order two kids meals and either split an adult meal or appetizer because the kids NEVER FINISH THEIR FOOD at such a young age so you end up eating half theirs anyhow!! Plus, if they offer tortillas or bread ahead of time, it's a good filler for everyone!!!! Drive thru: order yourself a kids meal vs. the value meals....you get more food for your money that way because the kids portions are very close to the adult version except for the fries ---but I personally don't need the extra fat!!:) -- Debbie from MI

Due to both our and our kids activities, we eat out A LOT and have found some ways to save money. We eat at Skyline Chili almost every Wednesday before church activities when kids eat free. They also have a punch card which we get punched so that every 10 visits we get an adult meal free. Our kids love BW3 which has $.25 wings on Wednesdays which is the only way that we can afford to go there! The Entertainment Book and Gold C books that our schools sell offer lots of Buy One/Get One Free deals that have saved us 100 of dollars every year. We also like to trade those coupons with friends and co-workers as everyone has different favorite restaurants. Especially in the summer we have found that we can meet Dad for a big lunch at many restaurants and save money over eating dinner out. -- Joanne from OH

In our community, and in most larger cities, there is a coupon book put out each year called an Entertainment Book. It is full of coupons good towards goods and services, food, etc. It costs 20-25 dollars, but is well worth it. My husband and I receive one each year from a dear friend for Christmas, and have now started giving them to other 'budgeting' couple friends-it is always a hit. It has different sections for restaurants-up-scale down to fast food. Most of the coupons are like buy one meal get one half price, but some are buy one get one free. Some have restrictions, but are usually no big deal, like up to a certain amount (15-30 dollars). We have kept track of our savings different years, and have saved several hundred dollars in one year using this book. Another great thing is that it gives my husband and I an excuse to try one really "fancy" restaurant each year. We get dressed up and leave the baby at home!! These can usually be bought at banks, through the chamber of commerce, or some of the eating establishments...check around. Good luck, and happy eating!!! -- Rachel from OK

My 3 year old son and I love to go out to breakfast or lunch as a treat. We often do this on "grocery shopping-bank-errands" day. -- Tracey from MA

Always order WATER unless a "free" drink comes with the meal. (Our exception is a special night out without the kids when my husband and I might splurge or a glass of beer or wine). Watch for coupons! Several local restaurants in our area offer a buy-one-get one-free deals. My husband and I will select two moderately priced meals. Because the portions are typically so large, we can often share part of our meals with the kids. We had a nice meal at American Cafe recently for about $12.00 including a 20% tip! Share a "BIG" meal, like an Italian sampler platter or plate of fajitas. When we don't have a buy-one-get-one-free coupon, we will often order a large meal to split. We shared an Italian platter at Spaghetti Warehouse and ordered a kids meal recently...total including tip was $15. Make a lunch date. One of our favorite restaurants is Red Lobster. They have a very reasonably priced lunch menu. While the kids are in preschool (no baby sitter expense!), my husband and I meet for a romantic lunch date that costs less than $20 bucks. Look for FREE kids meals (IHOP rules!) or inexpensive kid meals. When all else fails, make "fast food" more fun. Order from the value menu and split ridiculously large fries. Splurge on a kids meal. Have a picnic at a local park, your backyard or even on a blanket in the living room. -- Lori from GA

Always trying to eat healthy, I order side items. For instance, at lunch after church yesterday I ordered two orders of broccoli, one order of mashed potatoes and one piece of garlic bread. I was quite comfortable and full when I left and the cost was quite a bit less than a full and fattening meal. This works especially well at the larger chains. Quite often they aren't shown on the menu, but after asking what the meals are served with or what the sides are, I can usually come up with something satisfying. -- Mitzi from FL

I usually only go where I have a coupon unless its a large extended family event. Also instead of Fast Food I go to the deli at Cub Foods, you can get a whole rotisserie chicken or 8 pieces of fried chicken for $4.99 then I either get whatever salad is on sale or nothing and take it home and make a light meal. I am not a cook but I feel better that the chicken is fresh and real! -- Mary from MN

In our city, and many others, a book is put out yearly called an Entertainment Book. It is full of coupons for various businesses nearby. One of our favorite sections is the food coupons. They have a section for "fast food" type stuff, and then a section for more "pricey" meals. The coupons are usually for buy one, get one free, or buy one meal, get one half off. Some of the restaurants have restrictions, like only during certain hours, but they are usually reasonable and easy to work around. We receive ours each year as a gift at Christmas, but we have started giving these out to our 'budgeting' couple friends as gifts also. Around here, they run about 20 to 25 dollars, but are worth so much more. One year, we kept track of our savings, and it was several hundred dollars. -- Rachel from OK

We have learned which restaurants offer family specials different days of the week. A great savings for our family of three. They also have large meals that my husband and I can split to even lower our savings. Always ask a new restaurant if all kids are free or it is one child per adult. We also have the children drink water to save money. My kindergartener often brings home free restaurant coupons from school for her good behavior or reading a certain number of books. We combine her coupon with those we purchase from school fundraisers and have a cheap meal. -- Michelle from TX

My husband and I always choose Sports themed restaurants. Most have both TVs and video games to occupy our kids, and we find the money spent on video games comes to much less than it would cost to pay a babysitter. -- Christy from FL

Instead of ordering a beverage at a restaurant, ask for water with a slice of lemon. Squeeze lemon into water and add sweetner. Instant lemonade! (Your older kids will think you are a genius!) -- Sharon from AZ

This past spring I bought an Entertainment Book . If you have one in your area, check it out, it is worth it. The deal is that is usually goes on sale in early fall as a fund raiser for local churches, schools, etc. and retails for about $40.00. I found it on the internet in the spring listed for only $10.00 because some coupons were expired, as it was 6 months old. The first time we used a coupon from the book, it was buy one meal, get the other free and we saved that $10.00 we spent on it. If you are not familiar with the book, it is a coupon book with thousands of dollars of savings at local restaurants, fast food, attractions, gas stations, cleaners, etc. in your area. -- Cheryl

In my never ending quest to eat right and save money, I like to frequent the "Yuppie" restaurants like Applebees, TGIF and the like. To save money and calories, I order side items. I might order two orders of the steamed vegetables, an order of mashed potatoes and one piece of garlic bread with water to drink. I feel very happy, satisfied, and can leave with a few extra coins in my purse. It works for me! -- Mitzi from FL

We try to eat out to buffets (Chinese, Ponderosa, etc.) we all get full and a lot of them are free under 4. -- Heidi from NY

Join a secret or mystery shopper group. You pay up front and they reimburse you a certain amount. We get to eat out at restaurants where we would previously feel guilty or frivolous for having gone to before. Sometimes they even pay you for ordering pizza! It's great! -- Lisa from NC

When it comes to going to lunch, its easy for me my daughter only likes French fries and of course loves the toy so I just simply order a big kids meal at McDonalds or Burger King and I eat the sandwich and she gets the fries and toy the drink we just share and refill. -- Maryellen from OH

We're a family of 6 w/ two teenage boys, so here's some tips who may help "Mommys" of not-so-little-ones:

"Kids Eat Free" Restaurants
Sometimes restaurants only advertise one night a week one-two kids eat free w/ adult meal. Other restaurants, it's standard. Check out O'Charley's and Captain D's. -- Lisa from TN

Fast Food
Often Hamburger and Fries for $1 or $2, usually one to two days per week during limited hours. Buy a simple hamburger and supersize your order, then share fries and drink w/ your little one (or two). Got too many ketchup packets? Take them home for backup. They can also be added to school bag lunches. Pulled too many napkins out? Save the unused in your glove compartments for sneezes and spills in the car. -- Lisa from TN

Mexican on the Side
Instead of ordering from the main entree menu, order a side taco, burrito, quesadilla, etc. for each little one. It's usually more than enough. A good filler is the chips and salsa so a whole family can eat inexpensively with smaller portions. -- Lisa from TN

Half and Half
Many restaurants, like Macaroni Grill, can halve orders and serve two plates at the table. Other restaurants, like Chili's, can provide you with a single serving when asked (like a chicken taco that's not on the menu). -- Lisa from TN

Water's Free
If you take a family of six, like ours, and add up the cost of a drink plus tax, it really is much more cost-effective to ask for water. We like to add lemon or lime, if available. It encourages the kids to drink water, you're less likely to have spills on clothing to wash out, and these drinks travel well if your children like to finish them in the car. -- Lisa from TN

Tips for Mom and Dad: I always bring activity books for the kids to play puzzles, draw, work on their math, color, play games, etc - they are never bored or restless while waiting on their food. Second tip: The children know they will always get water at the beginning of a meal; if they finish their food or at least do a good job of eating it - then they are rewarded with a kids drink of their choice or we give them the money (cost of kids drink) to add to their banks. Most times they forget to ask for a kids drink or they are full and not interested. -- Kathy from CO

In the fall, we always buy an Entertainment Book. They run $35-40 and offer two-for-one or half-off discounts at restaurants (everything from very fancy to fast food), local activities like zoos, plays and movies, oil changes, car rentals and hotels. One dinner at a nice restaurant, or a night in a hotel at 50% off and the book has already paid for itself! -- Kathi from WA

Tips for eating out with kids:
If your children are small, they can split an entree from the children's menu. Also, most restaurants don't mind if small children bring their own "sippy" cups (some will even fill them for free), so you can save on drinks--most nice restaurants charge well over one dollar for a soft drink-- even for children. -- Lisa from NC

If you like to have Chinese takeout for dinner, go earlier in the day and buy the lunch specials. The same meal I buy at lunchtime for $3.85 is $6.25 at dinnertime. When feeding the whole family, that makes a huge difference. Just stick the containers in the refrigerator and reheat at dinner. -- Kathy from AZ

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