[Emily]

What are your tips for saving money on eating out? We are trying to cut this area of our budget, but due to time constraints and health needs, we are finding it very difficult.

So I’d like to see how we can save when we do get takeout.

I know the obvious things like drinking water, splitting meals, etc. But are there other ways to save?

[Lori]

Best way to save is to NOT eat out. Going out takes more time and money than planning well, shopping efficiently and meal-planning for the week.

[Bobby]

Check out the Too Good to Go app. Restaurants will put surplus food/dishes up for discount at the end of the day so they don’t waste food.

[Bobby]

Skip eating out and focus on quick, healthy meals you can make at home in under 30 minutes (way quicker than eating out) and/or meal prepping.

Save time grocery shopping by doing curbside pickup.

I LOATHE grocery shopping, but like to cook at home and eat healthy, so the curbside pickup allows me to balance that out.

[Meredith]

I find even the more expensive “easy cook at home meals” are cheaper and healthier than take out.

When we have an extra busy week I swing by Costco for their pre-made meals like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, ravioli lasagna, chicken alfredo, mac and cheese etc and just load up the fridge.

With a bag of salad we will get several meals out of one pan of ravioli. Rotisserie chicken is great too and can be turned into lots of different dishes.

It saves me time and mental energy to just pop these in the oven. And even though not inexpensive, still much less expensive than even McDonald’s.

I know things like bagged salad and precut veggies do cost more than buying the ingredients, but to me the time savings can be worth it especially if it keeps us out of a fast food or sit down restaurant as those are even more expensive.

[Anna]

Do you have space in your freezer to freeze meals ahead of time? I don’t enjoy cooking every night. So instead when I do cook I make larger batches then I freeze and eat those on nights I don’t have energy to cook.

Like I made a bunch of enchiladas last week.

Didn’t take that much to make some extra. So, I did and now I have at least two more dinners in the freezer if enchiladas. Same when I make chili or soup.

I make a large pot and freeze in and then I have numerous evenings of dinner ready in short time.

Faster than it would take to get takeout food. Also, it saves money.

[Kathryn]

Cook double portions and freeze half for another “heat and eat” meal later. Pasta dishes and soup are good items to do this with.

Grab a bagged salad and deli chicken at the grocery on the way home.

Pack a picnic when you go places and think you may want to eat later -a baguette with cheese and sliced deli meat is easy to put together.

Add some French wine and pretend you are in Paris!

Today I made an adult lunchable on my way out the door – salami, pepperoni, Swiss cheese, and Ritz crackers Took about 2 minutes to grab stuff in my kitchen and throw it in a container.

[Charles]

For something quick and not as expensive meal choices, instead of going to a restaurant/fast food, just go to a grocery deli counter/ready eat area.

Could have daily specials, and pricing is most likely less than eating out depending on the grocery chain (ethnic markets usually better – we have some European markets that have some very inexpensive but healthy and good eats).

Even McDonald’s is expensive nowadays.

We do this when we’re on the road since we can only cook so much in a hotel room.

[Callie]

If you can avoid sitting down to eat/being served, you will avoid the tip and avoid any “extras” other than the main meal – appetizers, drinks, etc.

So, ordering ahead and then picking up at the restaurant will cut down some on costs.

I would also search for restaurants in your area that may offer “kids eat free” deals if you have children. A number of places will offer some type of freebie on or near your birthday (I think Firehouse Subs does this, for example).

Eating during Happy Hour and eating small plates also tends to be less of a dollar amount than a full meal.

I have heard of people buying discounted gift cards, so if there’s a place you go to frequently you may be able to find a $50 gift card for $40 or $45. Every little bit helps.

Hopefully some of these tips will be helpful to you.

[John]

If you are going to eat out. I highly suggest using coupons you can find online. Also, I cannot suggest this enough use the app Upside they give you money for buying stuff you’re already going to buy.

I don’t know how it works, but it’s legit. There’s usually Burger King 25% back Applebee’s. I know Schnucks, and Circle K for gas.

It’s a nice app and at the end of the year, you can accumulate some money back not a lot, but every penny counts!!

They have a lot of options as well, never hurts to look if you’re going to eat out.

You’re always going to get gas, might as well get some cash back!

[Rick]

Another vote for grocery deli counters.
Many of them have deals of the day. Or discount after 7pm to clear out anything unsold.

I loved Publix sub of the week. Foot long, multigrain bread, add every single vegetable and it is $7-8.

For Italian, American, and even chicken tenders. So easy to turn it into 2-3 people meals. And fairly healthy.

[Dave]

Do you have a Costco within a reasonable distance? They offer a wide selection of refrigerated prepared meals that you essentially just have to heat and eat — more expensive than cooking from scratch, but definitely cheaper than going out to eat.

[Sharon]

Pay cash, avoid buying drinks, avoid extras like bread and dessert, reward points add up, split meals, or buy dull dinner and take the other half home for the next night, appetizers are often a good deal, early bird specials, local specials, family nights, coupons, family style meals.

Go out for brunch or lunch instead of the more expensive dinner. Alcohol adds up real fast.

Eat a snack before going out so you aren’t so hungry. Pizza not pasta.

If you are going out for a celebration, don’t deprive yourself of life’s special moments.

[Nikki]

I have a friend that uses this app called Too Good To Go, my understanding is it’s discounted takeout/other food that was pre made but discounted to sell before they have to toss it.

Might be interesting to check out

[Andrea]

I eat out where I get rewards or have a coupon. We will also get wings and supplement with a bagged salad from grocery store.

We never buy drinks unless they come free with a kids meal.

[Diya]

You can also use AI to help you plan meals based on food allergies. And you can get precut veggies, salads, pre-flavored meats.

You can get different types of sauces for precooked pastas.

Frozen meals from Trader Joe’s are possible options as well.

If you do take out, pick up is a bit cheaper than delivery.

[Damon]

Maybe try buying premade meals at the grocery store.
Price someone who can food prep or cook meals for you.

Avoid delivery apps.

[Stef]

Know your specials, know your kids meals, and what can be used as an ingredient vs a meal. Example I can get a rotisserie chicken for $5.

Some days I can get a giant biryani for $10 that lasts several meals either as a side or a main course.

Not what you asked, but it’s helped me to develop some very simple meals.

Black bean tacos, with beans from a can. Rice a roni with broccoli is a one pot meal if you put the broccoli in halfway to steam.

We’re not vegetarian but eat many meat free meals.

Grocery store deli sometimes but that can add up quick in some stores.

[Max]

Uber eats gives coupon codes every now and then. Usually couple times a month. They are for 40% off.

I can order delivery including the tip for less than the price to pick it up.

[Rachel]

We don’t. We average less than $50/month for a family of 5. Being prepared and planning prevents needing to eating out.

If you are going from work to after-school activities take low sugar protein bars or jerky and an apple.

We have multiple food allergies so food is very tricky but it’s a necessity to make sure we have safe and healthy food.

[Tanya]

Just saw Olive Garden has a buy one, get one pasta to take home for free! Maggiano’s used to have this but the “take home” costs some money now.

It’s not much, but not free anymore. Maybe a google search to see what other restaurants might do this.

See if your city has a program where restaurants/bakeries get rid of their end-of-day inventory for cheap. Denver has an app called “TooGoodToGo” – check it out to see what I mean.

Google “restaurants with birthday deals” – lots of free goodies sometimes.

Costco has pretty good frozen ready-to-eat meals. I know this constitutes as cooking, but it’s boiling something in a bag.. so hopefully something more manageable. Our fave is the chicken curry + rice via our rice cooker.

Some credit cards have ways get free gift cards. For ex, the Amex Business Gold has a flexible business credit where you get reimbursed $20/mo from Office Supply stores or Grubhub.

Some ppl just buy gift cards at Office Max (like restaurants or DoorDash), or you can obvi just use the GrubHub credit.

[Author]

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