When you're on a tight budget, it's critical to limit your spending on non-essentials. Is it possible to do so without jeopardising your quality of life?
According to the most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, American households spent an average of $3,008 on meals outside the home in 2015. We also spent $2,842 on entertainment on average.
1. Dine out strategically
By eating lightly, you may enjoy restaurant meals while saving a lot of money. In any case, it's easy to overeat in restaurants, and ordering less is commonly acknowledged nowadays as a strategy of staying healthy.
Here’s how to care for yourself and your budget:
Before leaving the house, have a nutritious snack to curb your hunger.
Share an entrée to cut the expense of the most costly component of the dinner in half.
Skip the main course in favour of appetisers and dessert. Alternatively, you may just have a drink and some appetisers.
Try out more expensive eateries for lunch rather than evening. They frequently provide a comparable cuisine, but with smaller quantities and reduced costs.
Planning allows you to avoid ordering on the spur of the moment: Before leaving the house, go through a restaurant's menu online. Many offer menus on their websites, or you may look them up on menucuisine.
2. Embrace the happy hour
In many places, happy hour — when pubs and taverns offer reduced beverages and inexpensive or free meals in the late afternoon — is making a comeback.
For evaluations of the best local venues, search for the name of your town and "best happy hour" online. Happy hour pricing are only available for a limited time, so order wisely and keep an eye on the clock.
Check out "8 Restaurant Phone Apps That Save You Time and Money" for information on smartphone applications that might help you find the finest happy hours.
3. Explore culinary school restaurants
Many cities have eateries open to the public run by culinary academies and community colleges. These provide student cooks with the opportunity to train in a professional setting. Prices may be reasonable while maintaining good quality.
For example, the restaurant L'Ecole (The School) serves as a training ground for aspiring cooks attending New York's International Culinary Centre. Among the graduates are celebrity chefs Jose Andres, Jacques Pepin, Emily Luchetti, Dan Barber, and Wylie Dufresne, according to Fodor's Travel.
4. Check restaurant websites
The website of a restaurant is a terrific location to learn about dinner specials, happy hour specials, discounts, and promotions. Sign up for a restaurant's email list to receive special discounts and event announcements.
More suggestions may be found in "15 Ways to Cut Your Fine Dining Bill in Half."
5. Use entertainment books
Many towns and local charities sell booklets containing reduced restaurant meal tickets. Alternatively, you may purchase The Entertainment Coupon Book (now available in digital format), which has hundreds of two-for-one coupons and half-off discounts at restaurants and entertainment venues. If you dine out frequently, you'll most likely receive your money's worth and then some.
6. Purchase gift vouchers for restaurants
At Restaurant.com you can purchase certificates that significantly reduce the cost of dining out. Pay $4 for a certificate worth $10, for example.
However, read the fine print carefully, as there may be catches, such as a minimum purchase. Get additional dining discounts by subscribing to Restaurant.com’s newsletter. Here are “
Do you have any fantastic suggestions for saving money on entertainment? Please share them in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
