Comments on: How to Save When Dining Out http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/ the story of an Chicago 20-something as she tries to make, save and spend money Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:57:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: English Major http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-517 English Major Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:13:11 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-517 $100 for four for a nice dinner definitely seems low. Last night, I spent $380 on dinner for me and my boyfriend--but it was a seriously special occasion (his 30th birthday), and definitely not a usual occurrence. Generally, when I'm paying, I try to get out of a restaurant for $25 or under, but that's a cheap night. Granted, New York, but still. If I splurge on dinner out with a couple of friends and we split appetizers, desserts, and a bottle of wine in addition to an entree, that's an easy $50/head. I rarely eat lunch out, but when I do, it's not so much "eating out" as "buying a sandwich or a couple of sushi rolls and a drink," and it costs $5-$15. $100 for four for a nice dinner definitely seems low. Last night, I spent $380 on dinner for me and my boyfriend–but it was a seriously special occasion (his 30th birthday), and definitely not a usual occurrence.

Generally, when I’m paying, I try to get out of a restaurant for $25 or under, but that’s a cheap night. Granted, New York, but still. If I splurge on dinner out with a couple of friends and we split appetizers, desserts, and a bottle of wine in addition to an entree, that’s an easy $50/head.

I rarely eat lunch out, but when I do, it’s not so much “eating out” as “buying a sandwich or a couple of sushi rolls and a drink,” and it costs $5-$15.

]]> By: sabrina http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-518 sabrina Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:15:34 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-518 I love restaurant.com for trying new restaurants in the area, but I'm not sure they really SAVE me much money because of those restrictions. We usually end up ordering more stuff that we would normally, just to reach those minimums. (min. 2 entrees, $X total, etc) Your savings recommendations are pretty thorough though. If I go out with my mom and/or sister we usually try a combination of most of those! hehe. I tend not to like those Entertainment books because I feel like its forcing me to spend money, but I've honestly never looked into it seriously. I've seen people's bills go up significantly when they start to order wine or alcoholic drinks. I try to never order alcohol at a restaurant...unless its a very special occasion, but especially not if they dont' have the prices listed on there!! (and most nice restaurants don't!) I love restaurant.com for trying new restaurants in the area, but I’m not sure they really SAVE me much money because of those restrictions. We usually end up ordering more stuff that we would normally, just to reach those minimums. (min. 2 entrees, $X total, etc) Your savings recommendations are pretty thorough though. If I go out with my mom and/or sister we usually try a combination of most of those! hehe.

I tend not to like those Entertainment books because I feel like its forcing me to spend money, but I’ve honestly never looked into it seriously.

I’ve seen people’s bills go up significantly when they start to order wine or alcoholic drinks. I try to never order alcohol at a restaurant…unless its a very special occasion, but especially not if they dont’ have the prices listed on there!! (and most nice restaurants don’t!)

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-519 Carolyn Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:17:51 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-519 I LOVE Restaurant.com! In my large Midwestern city it's mostly the local joints that use it- we have about 55 options within 5 miles of me. Like a previous poster said, don't ever pay $10 for the certificates- wait until the end of the month, Google "restaurant.com discount" and you can usually get them for $4 or so. You do have to watch the requirements, as some of my favorite restaurants have started only taking the certificates on weekdays, but I have seriously reduced my dining out budget with this site. Regarding coupons- I also purchase an Entertainment Book each year, and always get my money's worth. There will usually be 8 or 9 really great featured deals, and I trade the coupons I don't use for more of my favorites via Craigslist. Both methods of discount dining have helped my BF and I really get to know our city and try new places after only living here for a year and a half. I LOVE Restaurant.com! In my large Midwestern city it’s mostly the local joints that use it- we have about 55 options within 5 miles of me. Like a previous poster said, don’t ever pay $10 for the certificates- wait until the end of the month, Google “restaurant.com discount” and you can usually get them for $4 or so. You do have to watch the requirements, as some of my favorite restaurants have started only taking the certificates on weekdays, but I have seriously reduced my dining out budget with this site.

Regarding coupons- I also purchase an Entertainment Book each year, and always get my money’s worth. There will usually be 8 or 9 really great featured deals, and I trade the coupons I don’t use for more of my favorites via Craigslist. Both methods of discount dining have helped my BF and I really get to know our city and try new places after only living here for a year and a half.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-514 Jennifer Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:53:05 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-514 Cracker Barrel's kids meal is for "kids of all ages," meaning that anyone can order them. When I worked there, adults ordered them all the time. The lunch/dinner menu comes with a free drink, and you can always get free unlimited biscuits and cornbread or pay for an extra side if you want. It is plenty of food, and it's really good and an awesome deal! I remember one older couple who would come in every day and get the kids' grilled chicken meal. Delicious and cheap! :) Cracker Barrel’s kids meal is for “kids of all ages,” meaning that anyone can order them. When I worked there, adults ordered them all the time. The lunch/dinner menu comes with a free drink, and you can always get free unlimited biscuits and cornbread or pay for an extra side if you want. It is plenty of food, and it’s really good and an awesome deal!

I remember one older couple who would come in every day and get the kids’ grilled chicken meal. Delicious and cheap! :)

]]> By: Full Grown Single http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-516 Full Grown Single Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:02:04 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-516 If you'd like to be able to take the family out, sign up for emails from restaurant.com. The regular prices they have are only as good as those big coupon books charities sell for fund raising, but sometimes they put their "gift certificates" on pretty good sale. Their front page says "$25 gift certificates for $10", but their gift certificates are like "$25 off if you spend $50", not $10 for a $25 dinner. When they're on sale, though, they might be 90% off and that's pretty good: I'd spend $1 to get a "$25 off" coupon on a $50 meal! Where I live, most of the restaurants they cover are the kind of neighborhood grill, not big chains or the really fancy places. I've used them at 2 of my favorite places and didn't have any trouble using the certificates. If you’d like to be able to take the family out, sign up for emails from restaurant.com. The regular prices they have are only as good as those big coupon books charities sell for fund raising, but sometimes they put their “gift certificates” on pretty good sale.

Their front page says “$25 gift certificates for $10″, but their gift certificates are like “$25 off if you spend $50″, not $10 for a $25 dinner. When they’re on sale, though, they might be 90% off and that’s pretty good: I’d spend $1 to get a “$25 off” coupon on a $50 meal!

Where I live, most of the restaurants they cover are the kind of neighborhood grill, not big chains or the really fancy places. I’ve used them at 2 of my favorite places and didn’t have any trouble using the certificates.

]]> By: Miss Noodle http://www.thiswriterswallet.com/2008/02/21/how-to-save-when-dining-out/#comment-515 Miss Noodle Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:55:58 +0000 http://thiswriterswallet.com/?p=249#comment-515 One thing I DON'T recommend: ordering like, a supposedly-cheaper appetizer and a salad, or something. It usually costs almost as much as a regular meal and I'm still hungry. One thing I DON’T recommend: ordering like, a supposedly-cheaper appetizer and a salad, or something. It usually costs almost as much as a regular meal and I’m still hungry.

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