7 Tips to save money when eating out

Eating out is fun and enjoyable, and helps keep you sane. In our view you need to spoil yourself a bit to keep working hard and productively. That said, we want you to save as much money as you can when going out...all without compromising your eating out experience of course. Listed below are seven money saving tips to help keep your spending under control.

• Tip 1: Eat out for lunch instead of dinner: Lunch is generally cheaper than dinner when you eat out. If you can do this then you will save yourself some money.
  
  
• Tip 2: Have your kids share a meal: Our kids are 6, 5 and 3, and even the oldest doesn't eat a whole kid's meal at a restaurant. We buy two meals and then ask for an extra plate. This works especially well in restaurants that have free drink refills.
  
  
• Tip 3: Go out on "kids eat for free night": Like with movies, many restaurants have a day each week (in our area it is Tuesday) where the kids eat for free. Go out on these days and you will save money by ordering fewer meals.
  
  
• Tip 4: Drink water with your meal: Drinks are expensive in restaurants, if you want to save some money, then just drink water. Sometimes you will get charged high prices even for water, in those cases ask for tap water, which in most countries is just as good as the bottled stuff anyway.
  
  
• Tip 5: Drink the house wine: The house wine is generally an ok selection. If you are having a drink with your meal then this should be more than adequate. Unless you are serious wine buff, and lets be honest there aren’t that many – if you’re like me you can’t taste the difference between a $150 bottle of sav blanc and something out of a box. Forget the pretensions and save the dollars. You’re not a toff anyway otherwise you wouldn’t be reading these tips!
  
  
• Tip 6: Just eat side orders: Side orders are relatively cheap, and to be honest often tastier than the mains.. Order two or three instead of a main and you will be completely full!
  
  
• Tip 7: Eat at buffets: Buffets have two main benefits. One, your children often eat free, and two, you can stave yourself for the day and then eat heaps when you get there! Buffets are quite economically at many restaurants, and make for a great interactive meal with the kids. Avoid the ones where the food has changed colour around the edges and the place is empty!

So there you have it, seven money saving tips to help you save money while still having a great time eating out. If you want to learn how to save $1000s a year then check out our e-book 1011 money saving tips.
Cheers
Rusty O'Connor