According to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics the average American household spends $2678 or approximately
40% of our food expenditures away from the house. Yes, you read that correctly,
40%. Now we are all aware that food typically prepared away from costs more
than what we can buy and prepare for ourselves. So how do we cut back?
Four tips to reduce your dining
out costs:
1. Coupons
and deals – use local coupons and deal finders such as the Entertainment
Book, Groupon and Living Social to get 50% or more off.
Two things to keep in mind, the deals are usually there to lure you into
spending, so don’t end up spending more by adding on items like alcohol and desserts,
and remember to tip your server on the full amount not the discount. You
received the same level of service; the restaurant should take the hit not the
waiter/waitress.
2. Downgrade
– moving from sit down restaurants to quick casual can help save, not only on
the need to tip, but also the overall cost. Why go to an upscale restaurant to
order a burger and fries, when you can find an equivalent for cheaper.
3. Reduce
your portion intake – do you usually have a take home bag after a meal out?
Then you probably have the “eyes bigger than your stomach” syndrome. Why not
forgo the appetizer and just have the main meal, or split one appetizer between
several people? The same goes for desserts.
4. Reduce
the frequency – by cutting out one or two dining out trips a month by planning
and preparing ahead. An hour or two preparing quick meals in advance can save
you from needing to stop. We suggest making a big pot of chili or soup and
putting some in the freezer for those nights when you just don’t feel like
cooking.
Dining out
doesn’t need to take a big bite out of your budget. Implement the four tips
above and you could save 10, 20 or 50% off of your budget, giving you more
money to put towards debt and your financial future.
More - Are you spending too much?
