Money Matters, Simplified.
Pocket Friendly Ways of Eating Out
When your household income dips, your week-end visit to restaurant is the first thing you renounce. Here are some smart moves to ensure that you continue with your culinary delights.
Sat, 12/11/2010 - 13:38 by Gunjan Mehra
Make sure that you cash upon the ‘Happy Hours’ declared by your favorite restaurants (or search the net for the best Happy Hour deal in town) to be able to eat the same meal for as much as 50 percent less. Thanks to the promotional offers floated by restaurants every now-and-then, eating out is no longer as expensive as it once was. The Money Times suggests some money saving tips for a gourmet.
How to Eat Healthy when Out
You can eat out and eat healthy, too. Here are a few factors that you need to bear in mind before ordering for your food in restaurants.
-Don’t be shy about making special requests. Most foods on most menus will probably fit into a heart-healthy diet if prepared with low-fat ingredients and less salt.
Ask your server if the kitchen can alter preparations to meet your needs, or call ahead before you choose your restaurant. If your food isn't prepared as you requested, send it back.
Equally important is the portion size. Help control your weight by asking for smaller portions, sharing entries with a companion, or putting half of your meal in a to-go box to enjoy another time.
-Request that your meal be prepared with vegetable oil (made from canola, olive, corn, soy, sunflower or safflower) or soft margarine instead of butter. Ask for soft margarine for your bread.
-If you’re not sure about a certain dish, ask your server how it’s prepared. You can request that visible fat from meat and skin be removed before cooking.
If you are a foodie and love dinning out, there is no reason why your spirits should get soaked when your income takes a plunge.
Frugality coupled with an understanding of what to order and when, can help you save loads.
Here are some handy tips for a restaurant junkie to be able to continue eating out even as hard times approach:
Consider the Not-so-Expensive Eat-outs
Routine is boring, and if you are a true food lover, there can be nothing better than trying out your options.
Take your economic crunch as an opportunity to pay visits to joints which appear a little down market as per your established standards. Do them a favor by checking out their menu cards. For all you know, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
Avoid chains and try some local restaurants. Some times, it’s the small local restaurants that serve the best local recipes in your city.
You could also consider those who are new in business but are sure to give you the best service at the most competitive rates to win popularity. Take a peep into your local newspaper or the net for information on such eating joints.
Consider the Time of Eating Out
Paying little attention to what time of the day you plan to eat out can save you considerable money. So much so that, a lunch could cost you up to 30 percent less as compared to dinner, even if your decide to order the same things.
Also make sure that you cash upon the ‘Happy Hours’ declared by your favorite restaurants (or search the net for the best Happy Hour deal in town) to be able to eat the same meal for as much as 50 percent less.
What Not to Order
It is more important to understand what you could skip ordering to be able to eat a frugal but satisfying meal.
Consider avoiding ordering alcohol in restaurants for they cost anywhere between 40 to 100 percent more when ordered in restaurants. You could have your drinks at home before leaving for a restaurant.
How about skipping appetizers and directly getting down to the main course? You have another option – order only starters and not the main course. You could try this out in restaurants that are renowned for their starters. Also remember, you could save considerably on your total bill by ordering a large meal and sharing amongst all the members of your family / friends.
When you do order, make sure you do so only after taking a hard look at the add-ons or toppings, which could cost you considerably more.
Desserts are another part of your regular eat-out rituals that you can give a miss. Instead have some Irish coffee at a local café or at home.
Sign-up for Loyalty Programs
If one of your favorite restaurants runs a loyalty program, make sure that you sign-up for it.
You could end-up spending about 25 to 35 percent less on each of your visits and the extra attention and good service you get, is obviously an added advantage.
Bon appetite!
