“Dining with other frugal foodies means that you’ll be on the same page about ordering with price in mind,” she says, “taking away the sticker shock of a bill that’s more than what you expected.”
If you’re eating out with friends who have pricier tastes, Stansbury says to be upfront about what you want—and can afford—to spend. Ordering separately, if necessary, is one of the key tips for eating out on the cheap.
3. Go online for savings
One of the easiest ways to save money dining out on a budget is to look for coupons or discounts online. To find discounts in your area, Anderson recommends checking out sites that partner with local restaurants to offer deals.
In addition to featuring local restaurant specials, these sites may run sales or offer additional savings for email subscribers. For example, you might receive an email that includes extra savings of 20% or $30 off restaurant promotions. She also suggests sites that sell discounted gift certificates to restaurants.
Even if how to eat out on a budget is top-of-mind, be selective about how often you look for deals. Krampf recommends only searching for coupons or promotions after you’ve decided that you’re going out.
“Constantly looking at deal emails will just tempt you to go out and spend money when you weren’t planning on it,” she says.
4. Get rewarded for dining out
To round out the list of tips for eating out on a budget, consider how you pay for your meals. Picking up the tab with a cashback rewards debit card tied to a rewards checking account can put cash back in your pocket. Think of it as a discount on dinner. If you’re using a cashback rewards card and another discount, that amplifies the savings.
If you’re going out to dinner with a group, Anderson has a savvy tip for increasing your cashback earnings. “Let them give you cash and pay for the entire meal with your debit card,” she says. “You’ll get cash back for everyone’s dinner, not just yours.”
Just remember that if you’re looking for tips for eating out on the cheap and go the cashback rewards route with a credit card, consider charging only what you can afford to pay in full each month. Otherwise, anything you saved on dinner might be nibbled away by interest charges.
If you don’t have a cashback rewards card, Stansbury suggests looking for apps that give cash back at many restaurants. You link your debit or credit card to the app, dine at partner restaurants, and earn cash back automatically. She also suggests looking into programs that provide exclusive discounts at top-rated restaurants.
Be open to new possibilities for eating out on a budget
If you’re hankering for filet mignon but have a cheeseburger budget, don’t be afraid to broaden your dining horizons.
“Remember that the best restaurants are not necessarily the most expensive ones,” Stansbury says. “You can have incredible (and incredibly cheap) meals at mom and pop or hole-in-the-wall restaurants.”
Casting the net a little wider could satisfy your appetite without straining your budget.
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Source: discover.com