Getting the Best Price for the Family That Eats Out Often
With a tricky economic climate, families everywhere are cutting back on extras and non essentials. They are either doing less, or they are doing as much while finding ways to spend less. Dine out savings are there to be had; it just takes a little bit of creativity combined with asking plenty of questions.
Tips and Tricks for Taking the Whole Family Out to Eat
There are some families that really enjoy an evening out, at least once a week. It is their cherished time together when no one is worrying about cleaning off the table or getting the leftovers in the refrigerator. When budgets become tighter, that evening out often seems to be put in jeopardy. Saving the family evening out means being able to find ways to save on family entertainment.
One step in the right direction is to find out if there are any customer frequency cards available at favorite restaurants. These little cards can be annoying when they pile up in a purse or wallet, but they really can provide some good savings after a while. You can save yourself the cost of an entree in a casual restaurant simply by having a card stamped each time money is spent there. When there are younger children in the family, the family evening out may mean looking for places where kids meals are offered free with the purchase of a regularly priced adult meal. This can drastically reduce the cost of dining out. It should be noted, however, that the tips left for the server should be figured based on what the bill would have been. Remember, just because the meals were free doesn't mean that server did any less work.
A bit more creativity is needed for other sorts of discounts. By looking online, it is possible to purchase gift cards for restaurants at a significant discount. There are several online auction sites on which members can bid on unused cards and get them at quite a bargain. The discounts can anywhere from 25% to 80% of the actual value of the certificate. Imagine the possibility of paying ten dollars for a fifty-dollar gift card. To stretch that money even further, use the card on family night with a frequency card or a coupon, and soon the evening out in a nice restaurant is a prime example of eating out savings.
It's easier than ever to save on family entertainment. Many establishments realize with families pinching every penny possible that special coupons and discounts need to be offered in order to keep business up and going. The number of sources that people have to get dine out savings is quite astounding. There are the restaurants, the Internet and local radio and television stations that often give dinners and gift cards away on their websites. Checking around a little bit, keeping an eye out for deals and doing a little research will make it possible for a family to eat out without breaking the bank.
