Typically, the most frugal thing you can do is eat at home. Let’s be real though- sometimes we’re tired, or there is a special occasion, or we are away from home at meal time.
I like to keep a note on my phone (though it used to be a spreadsheet on my computer) that keeps track of our favorite restaurants and their specials. It may be kids eat free, or cheaper meals. Maybe your favorite place offers a free dessert on a certain day. Whatever it is, keep track of it!
Recently we went to the next town over for a zoo trip. They happen to have a great sandwich shop that we don’t have nearby- and because it was Wednesday, one of their super premium normally-$7-sandwich was on sale for $5, making it the cheapest thing on the menu. Multiple meats, multiple cheeses, it’s a dreamboat of a sandwich. We packed a bag of chips, brought along some drinks and we all got the same sandwich, making our special meal $15 instead of $21+ drinks+ chips. That’s no small savings. My daughter thought its as wonderful to have a car picnic eating fancy sandwiches too!
Prepared with your handy dandy list of where to eat and when, you’ll be able to indulge in your favorites for a little cheaper.
I like to keep track of mine by days, like this:
Monday:
Favorite Restaurant- Kids eat free after 6pm.
Place with the good breadsticks- Free breadsticks all day
That One Pizza place- Kids meal $2.
Tuesday:
That place we rarely go- Kids eat free
Keep your eyes out for offers and grow that list, you’ll be happy you did when the “ugh, let’s just grab something out” bug hits you!