More Tips to Save Big When Eating Out
Part 2 includes 7 tips focused on saving while eating out

By Julie Jaggernath

Does food simply taste better when you don’t have to cook it yourself? You’re not alone. Eating out is one life’s small luxuries, offering us a break from the day-to-day grind and that tedious question of what to make for dinner every night. So, learn to indulge without letting the costs eat up your budget!

Here is Part 2 of our list of 13 budget-conscious tips to make eating out more affordable. If you missed Part 1, it has tips for those who really like to eat out or pick up take-out. Mix and match tips from both lists, or try several tips at once, to find what work best for you. Happy brunching!

Tip 7: Dine Like You Shop – Manage Hunger to Avoid Overspending

Avoid arriving at a restaurant with an empty stomach, as this can lead to ordering more food than you need. To curb your hunger and help make mindful choices, consider having a light snack – even just a granola bar or handful of grapes – before you head out. By doing so, you’ll be less likely to overindulge and can focus on ordering only what you’ll reasonably eat. Furthermore, to maximize savings and minimize food waste, take note of the portion sizes offered at your chosen restaurant. If they are known for generous servings, sharing an entrée with a dining companion can be an excellent strategy. This approach not only helps reduce costs but also allows you to enjoy a variety of flavours without the temptation to overeat. By being strategic about your hunger levels and portion sizes, you can enjoy your dining experience while staying within your budget.

Tip 8: Save by Not Skipping Breakfast and Lunch

Opting to dine out during less hectic breakfast or lunch times, rather than the prime-time dinner hour, can be a great way to save money. Meals during these times are typically less expensive, with many restaurants offering special breakfast and lunch menus that provide good value for your money. By choosing to eat out earlier in the day, you can still enjoy a meal at your favourite restaurant without the higher costs associated with dinner service. This approach not only helps stretch your dining budget but also allows you to experience dishes that you might not typically choose for dinner.

Tip 9: Maximize Value and Minimize Waste

If you have kids or family members who often leave half of their meal behind, a practical approach is to order entrees that can be shared with someone else at the table or taken home and reheated for a bedtime snack or lunch the next day. Sharing dishes not only ensures that everyone gets a taste of various options without over-ordering, but it also significantly cuts down on food waste.

In cases where sharing isn’t feasible, choosing meals that reheat well can extend their enjoyment beyond a single sitting. This strategy is economically beneficial, saving you money by maximizing the value of each meal purchased. Additionally, it helps reduce the environmental impact associated with food waste. When food is thrown away, it not only represents wasted money and resources but also contributes to increased landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions. By being mindful of portion sizes and opting for shareable or reheatable meals, you can make dining out more sustainable and budget friendly.

Tip 11: Splurge Guilt-Free for Special Occasions

Make dining out a special treat by saving it for memorable occasions or celebrations. Establishing a habit of cooking budget-conscious meals at home can lead to significant savings, allowing you to set aside funds for guilt-free restaurant splurges. Engage the entire family in the process of meal preparation and cleanup. This collective effort not only distributes the workload but also imparts essential skills to kids and teens. They learn the basics of cooking, understanding ingredients, and the value of budgeting, all with minimal extra effort.

This approach creates an environment where cooking at home becomes a shared experience, fostering a sense of teamwork and responsibility. Plus, it offers an excellent opportunity to bond over meal choices and kitchen tasks, turning what might feel like a chore into a fun family activity. By focusing on cost-effective and nutritious home-cooked meals, you can enjoy quality time together while preparing delicious dishes. The savings accumulated can then be used for special outings, making those restaurant visits even more enjoyable and guilt-free.

Tip 12: Strategic Planning for Stress-Free Spending

Be mindful of your mental and emotional state when making spending decisions. Stress can greatly impact our ability to make wise choices with our money and credit, often leading us to opt for costly convenience over frugality. In moments of stress, it’s simpler to grab whatever is necessary to feed the family instead of carefully considering cost-effective alternatives. By planning ahead, you create an automatic fallback plan for those times when navigating your day on autopilot is easier: the answer for “what’s for dinner” is posted on your meal planner, and “how much can I spend” is noted on your spending plan. Making a proactive plan allows you to maintain a balance between convenience and frugality, ensuring that you’re making the best financial decisions even during challenging times.

When it comes to saving in a pinch, choosing take-out over dining in can be a less expensive option, as it helps avoid the temptation to order additional items while lingering at a restaurant table. Additionally, take-out usually requires a smaller tip, further reducing costs. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about your bill, regardless of whether you’re dining in or taking out. Ensure that the total is accurate and doesn’t include any unexpected charges. Checking your bill carefully helps avoid unnecessary expenses and ensures you’re not overpaying for your meal. By being mindful of these details, you can manage your finances more effectively while still enjoying the convenience of occasional take-out. This approach can help alleviate financial stress and contribute to more balanced and thoughtful spending habits.

Tip 13: Be Creative and Balance Convenience With Cost-Effective Meal Planning

Taking the time to research and plan can lead to substantial savings, allowing you to enjoy more frequent dining experiences without stretching your budget. However, if you find it hard to resist overspending when you eat out, consider stocking up on a few convenience items to make quick meals at home. For instance, you could use a jar of butter chicken sauce with pre-cooked chicken, served over rice or riced vegetables from the frozen aisle. That’s dinner done in about 20 minutes. Another option is to keep buns, sliced cheese or cold cuts, soup for dipping, and a salad mix from a bag on hand. Preparing at least part of your meals from scratch helps you make healthier choices while being cost-effective. If your kids miss having pop, walking to the local store for a slushy can be a fun alternative that offers a less sugary drink, some exercise, and extra family time. There are countless ways to balance meal preparation from scratch with convenience, making it more budget-friendly than dining out. With a little creativity, you can manage your money better while still enjoying the occasional treat and promoting healthier eating habits.

When Food Costs Max Out Your Budget, We Can Help

When you’ve too much on your plate and can’t find the time to devote to figuring your budget out, we can help. Our credit counsellors are skilled at offering personalized advice and guidance to help you manage the expenses that need to fit into your budget. Enjoy restaurant food with ease, knowing that you can keep your spending in check.