dining

5 Modern Ways to Split the Bill

Amanda Meadows — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:00:04 +0000

How many strained friendships can be traced back to someone not paying their share of a dinner bill (or several)? If you're getting worn down by "separate checks" anxiety, check out these five modern ways you can split the bill with friends.

1. Tab

One of the simpler apps on the list, Tab snaps a photo of the check and lets you assign split totals from there. Pass the phone around and let each person tap their own expenses under their name. Then, Tab calculates a new total for each diner that includes their share of tax and tip. This is a really fast and easy solution for large groups, and especially helpful when that certain friend who always underpays is in attendance.

2. Plates by Splitwise

Want an app that will work for nearly anything? Splitwise is free on both iOS and Android and allows friends, roommates, or family members to split all kinds of expenses — from utilities, to groceries, to repairs. Plates by Splitwise is made especially to help split restaurant checks. Splitwise even keeps track of who's picked up the check and who owes what over time, and will send friendly email reminders to settle up on past debts.

3. Divvy

Divvy is similar to Tab in how it works. Divvy is an iOS app that scans your check using OCR (optical character recognition) to "read" the line items. You then assign each line item to a member of your party. In addition, the app lets you group members into sub-parties who want to pay together. It also calculates the tax and tip, so everyone knows how much they owe. This is a great choice for extra large parties that need to be sectioned off into smaller paying groups.

4. Billr

Sharing similar functionality to other apps like Divvy or Tab, Billr for iOS calculates how much each person in your party owes from the meal — entrees, drinks, everything — along with tax and tip. The best part of Billr is that at the end, it sends a carbon copy of the split bill to each person in the group via email or text message.

5. Venmo

Quite possibly the most popular of the crop for everyday use, Venmo (now owned by PayPal) is an easy-to-use money exchanging app to pay friends back for goods and services. The app is connected to your bank account. While you cannot add funds to Venmo, when someone pays you back for a good or service you have the choice to let it sit in your Venmo wallet, or transfer it to your bank, similar to PayPal. Also: It's almost as fun as chatting on WhatsApp. You can use emojis to tag what the transaction was for, like a pizza for a night in with pals and delivery.

How do you equitably split the bill with friends?

This article is from Amanda Meadows of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 14 Best Ways to Cut Food Costs While Traveling

Marla Walters — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:00:06 +0000

In 2001, as we deplaned on Maui, my husband was handed a survey from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. It sought our assistance in tracking daily vacation spending. As a CPA, he took to it like a duck to water, and as we went from restaurant, to activity, to luau, he tracked every last cent we spent. (See also: 10 Things You're Paying Too Much for When You Travel)

Scrutinizing the cost of the activities and meals so closely made us spend less money than we may have been inclined to on that trip, but it also altered our spending habits on all vacations thereafter. After finding the best deals on tickets and lodging, we tackled daily food costs. Below are our tips for saving money on those.

A caveat, though: Dining in great restaurants and trying out new foods are often part of your travel adventure. If you find yourself eating a peanut-butter sandwich in your hotel room in Chicago instead of a street-vendor hot dog or a deep-dish pizza, I think you are missing out. Better to save a larger travel fund than to miss out on a fun part of the experience.

Here are 14 ways to save on food costs while traveling. (See also: 4 Secrets to Eating Great Food for Cheap While Traveling)

1. Choose an Apartment Instead of a Hotel

This tip is at the top of my list, because it is so much cheaper to eat in than rely on restaurants. However, if you don't like to cook, and part of "vacation" means a break from the kitchen, this suggestion is not for you. If you do like to cook, though, look for condo advertisement comments where people have mentioned "well-stocked kitchens." This is usually code for decent knives, pots and pans, cooking oils, and seasonings. Also, look for condos that have outdoor grills. Grilling adds to that vacation-y feeling and shares the cooking workload.

I usually make a shopping list on the plane or in the car, hit a grocery store when we arrive at our destination, and then go unpack. I wouldn't suggest that you eat every single meal at a condo, lest you miss out on local restaurants and foods, but this will give you a big savings over needing to frequent restaurants three times a day.

2. Look for Hotels With Refrigerators

If you can't do the above, let's hope your hotel has a small refrigerator. If so, you can at least store some milk for cereal, juice, yogurt, etc. for in-room breakfasts. Many hotels also have microwaves, which is another bonus.

3. Stock Your Own Alcohol

We live in a cruise ship port town. Guess where a lot of folks head during shore excursions? To Walmart, to buy booze. Cruise or resort bar prices are going to be considerably higher than what you'll pay if you pick it up yourself. While it's nice to have the occasional drink out for the vacation ambiance, it will also add up quickly if you spend a lot of time in bars.

4. Camp!

Not everyone loves to camp, I realize — but if you do, it's a really inexpensive way to go. And what's better than bacon and fresh trout with coffee in the morning? If you like just a little more luxury in the great outdoors, consider a KOA Deluxe Cabin which has a kitchen, or an RV rental. Camping food is, by its very nature, cheap! Think about hot dogs, pork and beans, pancakes and of course — s'mores.

5. Eat Lunch in Restaurants, Instead of Dinner

My husband and I rarely go out for dinner, but we frequently go out to lunch because it is considerably cheaper. Although the menu choices or portions aren't as large, we never feel limited. Often, we find that the same menus are featured for both lunch and dinner — the former is just much lower-priced.

6. Picnic

My mother was a champion picnic-er and made terrific salads, fried chicken, snacks, and soups in thermoses. We'd just pick a pretty spot and pull the station wagon over. It also gives everyone time to stretch their legs, take some pictures, and relax (while saving money). It's also fun to pack a lunch and head to an area park. Many even have barbecues available.

7. Take Advantage of the "Continental Breakfast"

Many hotels now offer free breakfast as part of the deal, so you might as well take advantage of it. While cereal and muffins may be the only fare at some, higher-end places have eggs to order and trays of bacon. I usually grab a few pieces of fruit to snack on later, too.

8. Eat Local Foods

As the saying goes, "When in Rome..." Food grown locally will be the most inexpensive, and usually at its best. This doesn't just mean produce, though — think of the inexpensive, ubiquitous musubi in Hawaii, street tacos in Southern California, or gyros from stands in New York. Keep the travel adventure going by trying new (and often inexpensive) foods.

9. Check Out the Appetizer Menu

Want to try a restaurant, but are frightened off by the dinner prices? Check out the appetizer menu. The prices are lower, the portions often generous, and you'll still enjoy the restaurant ambiance.

10. Look for Deals

Try Groupon, LivingSocial, or check a coupon book for restaurant deals. Or, try giving the restaurant a call to see if they offer an "early bird" or "kids eat free" special.

11. Ask a Local

Don't be bashful! Somebody who lives where you are traveling is probably your best bet for finding cheap, great eats.

12. Read Up on Restaurants

Do some homework before you go. Check the area's local paper, blogs, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

13. Any Food Trucks Around?

Want great food in a casual atmosphere? Find a food truck. Take it to go, or find a spot to picnic. Roaming Hunger will help you find the trucks!

14. Buy in Bulk

Even when traveling, if we're staying in a place with a kitchen, we seek out a nearby Costco or a Sam's Club. There are items we know we'll want (such as eggs, beer, bagels, or muffins) every day.

How do you save on food costs while traveling?

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Dining Hacks From Restaurant Insiders

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:00:04 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on dining hacks from restaurant insiders, reconsidering the college investment, and tools to help you find the cheapest textbooks.

Best Money Tips: The Cheap Eats Edition

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 19:00:04 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some of the best articles from around the web on ways to keep your food expenses low.

Best Money Tips: Enjoy Eating Out Without Spending a Lot on Food

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:48:42 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on eating out without spending a lot on food, using new disposable income, and choosing a major.

Best Money Tips: Spend Less on Eating In

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:00:41 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on spending less on eating in, cheap ways to beat stress, and things wealthy people do differently.

News & Events

The Plutus Awards Voting — Be sure to vote in the 3rd annual Plutus Awards! Voting closes on August 14th.

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Ways to Save on Eating Out

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:00:08 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on ways to save on eating out, how not to be average, and the Obamacare ruling.

Best Money Tips: Ways to Save at a Restaurant

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:00:15 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on ways to save at a restaurant, going green and saving big, and refusing a promotion.

News & Events

Get Rich Slowly's #moolah Tweetchat — Don't miss Get Rich Slowly's #moolah tweetchat at 4pm PST!

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Save on Eating Out

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on saving on eating out, smart couponing strategies, and secrets to making this year the best year ever.

Best Money Tips: Shrink Your Bill When Eating Out

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 27 May 2011 09:48:15 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on ways to shrink your bill when eating out, how to become a world class negotiator, and lessons to learn from American Idol.

Book Review: On a Dollar a Day

Xin Lu — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:02 +0000

Could you survive on one dollar's worth of food per day? Vegan high school teachers Kerri Leonard and Christopher Greenslate endured a one month experiment where each of them consumed one dollar of food per day. In On a Dollar a Day: One Couple's Unlikely Adventures in Eating in America (affiliate link), they described their experience and an array of social issues relating to the cost of food.

The book is divided into three sections detailing the three food spending plans the couple chose. The first section detailed their month of eating on a dollar a day, the second describes their experiment in eating on the average food stamp recipient's allotment, and the third is where they had no spending restrictions but tried to eat more healthily. Each section has alternate chapters written by Leonard and Greenslate.

The first experiment of eating on a dollar a day was actually quite difficult to read because this couple was obviously torturing themselves. Although they say that they were able to eat an adequate portion, there were many passages where they described their hunger and stress while on this plan. One rule they set was that they would not eat any food they can get for free unless everyone else has access to it. Due to this rule they did not eat the free foods they had access to at work and other venues, and I thought that was silly because any of those leftover free foods were probably wasted.

The second section of the book describes how the vegan couple tried to follow the Thrifty Food Plan recommended by the USDA and live on a little over $4 per day for a month. They fared a lot better on this, but found that it was still difficult to eat in a very healthy manner because nutritious and fresh foods cost more than processed foods with plenty of calories. This reminded me of Philip Brewer's excellent post The new face of poverty is fat where he writes about why poor people are obese.

The final section of the book focuses on eating for health, and it also seems like the couple have become more savvy shoppers after their months of challenges. The conclusion is that they found that it was possible to plan healthy and delicious meals that do not cost very much.

What I found most entertaining about this book was how these food plans affected the relationship between the authors. It was Greenslate's idea to start the original project, and Leonard played the part of a supportive girlfriend. However, later on it was clear that Leonard was doing most of the work in planning and preparing these meals, and it took a toll on her. Greenslate briefly wrote about how the preparation of food from the grocery store to the table is traditionally the work of women, but I think it would have been more interesting if Leonard wrote her thoughts on the subject.

Finally, there is a short chapter in the book about how to save on food, but those who want to live on a dollar of food a day will not find this book to be a very good guide. Although I felt that the one dollar a day food challenge was a bit forced, I do like the message in the book that you can eat healthily on a small budget. If you want to read more about the project, the authors have a blog at One Dollar Diet Project where they write about food related issues

Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book and this post contains an affiliate link.

How much do you spend on food each day?

This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Savvy Strategies to Ward Away College Hunger and Avoid Overspending

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:00:02 +0000

Back in 1996, I was a partial scholarship private college student with the “gold” meal plan. Despite having access to food almost anytime I wanted, I often went hungry. Why? I was a horrible planner, a bit bad with my time, and I really had no knowledge of food savings strategies. Here are 6 things I finally learned about how to get more from your very limited college food budget.

Know how much your meal plan (really) costs.

Unless you were my good friend “Hacker” — with a full-ride scholarship and grants coming out of his pajama drawer — most of us private college kids had a $20,000+ a year college loan to look forward too. This didn’t cover the meal plan (which ranged in cost from $1,000 to a few thousand dollars). Assuming you could get a Stafford loan or some private funding to pay for your café dollars, this is still a fairly pricey investment. At the 3.5-5% interest rate that many of us paid on those loans over a period of 10-30 years, that’s a pretty hefty lunch tab!

Why am I stressing this? While many of my friends opted to ditch Taco Night at the caf to grab a bucket of chicken from the nearest fast food place, they didn’t realize that those uneaten tacos would some day have to be paid for, and at a nice little interest accumulation, as well. You thought buying burgers on a credit card was stupid; passed-over tuna casserole on a government loan is even more ridiculous, if you ask me!

Pretend the vending machine doesn’t exist.

Even after taking a heavy workload both semesters of my freshman year, I still managed to work 15-20 hours a week at a local daycare center. That money was hard-earned, but easily spent. The biggest consumption of my funds came from that evil vending machine that greeted me on the way in (and out) of my dorm lobby several times a day. Crunchy Cheetos, Peanut M&M’s, and a bag of unpopped popcorn were my weakness, and at 60 cents a pop (which was high then, believe me), my cash was hard to hold on to.

Had I any financial sense at the time, I would have begged a ride from a buddy and gone to the nearest dollar store. The mega-packs of all those junky delights were about $2 for 6, making easy savings if I was willing to plan for it. (Remember that vending purchases don’t issue receipts, show up on your credit card statement, or get written in your check register — making them evil for your budget. It’s best to stay way, completely.) And I won’t even tell you how my diet suffered from the easy access of those nutritionally-worthless foods.

Make friends with the food service workers.

I’m not suggesting that you pretend to buddy up to anyone, in hopes of scoring free food. What I am saying is that it pays to know the people who work at the school cafeteria, since many of them are fellow college students. In my case, I was great friends with a few of the evening workers, and this was to a huge benefit. I could easily find out if they were a little lean on the sirloin steaks that night (giving me the edge to get in line early and grab them before they were all gone), how awful the chicken parmesan really was, and whether the ice cream machine would be working that evening.

(It all may seem trivial to you, but when a college kid is literally sprinting between classes, hoping to get the biggest bang for their cafeteria buck, these are important tips to eating better and filling up fast.)

Cook with a group.

The cleanest place in my dorm room lobby was the kitchen. It was hardly ever used, except for when the weekly Dungeons & Dragons group got together. While I won’t pretend to know what they were doing (I’m not a fan), I did know one thing: They made an awesome meal when they met. Whether it be a pot of chili, a couple pans of lasagna, or some Mexican dish that made the entire dorm building drool, these kids could cook — and they did so on a budget. While it was impractical for me to plunk down dollars on a couple of pounds of ground beef, 3 cans of chili beans, 2 cans of tomatoes, a fresh onion, and spices, it was not inconceivable for 6 students to do so as part of a group effort. There was no need to store the food (as they bought it fresh right before the meeting), and there were never any leftovers to deal with. These kids figured out the joy of combining resources and doing something as a group, and they ate way better than I ever did.

Shop sales for the holidays.

My hungriest days were when the cafeteria shut down for the holidays. With over 85% of the campus vacated for the season, I was usually at school, by myself, eating from that evil vending machine. With no mini-fridge to take advantage of, I honestly believed that Ramen noodles and warm Dr. Pepper were my destiny. I had no idea of the sales that preceded each holiday season, and how it was possible to take advantage in preparation for the hungry days. While it was impractical to view ads online in 1996, now there is no excuse for a wired student to not be able to see the weekly grocery specials at their local store. Even if you don’t coupon, the weeks leading up to the holidays offer so many staple items, often at 50% savings, that a hungry kid could warm up in the microwave — or even sauté, broil, or bake in the abandoned dorm kitchen.

If you budget, (and you really should), put aside a little extra grocery money for the pre-holiday sales. You’ll be glad you did.

Work at a food business.

This is the last alternative for many, but it really worked for me. Getting employment at a restaurant, diner, or bakery is a reasonable way for many college students to fortify the food budget (and not just in earnings), and many food businesses are truly college student-friendly. While it is true that many of the chain and fast-food restaurants won’t offer you free meals (and 50% off a meal laden in calories and fat is a waste of even 50% of your money), there are healthy menu option at many establishments that are worth buying at a discount.

The best way to work the employee benefit system in your favor, however, is to work for a Mom & Pop café or restaurant and work hard to earn their respect. Many of the places I worked for in college were more than happy to let us have one meal off the menu at the end of our busy shift, and these were often the best meals I ever had. (Lobster Bisque, Lemon Ravioli, Fresh Basil-Pesto Angel Hair, and Cheese Soufflé made the college cuisine look like frozen dinners.) This was also a great introduction into the hospitality business, which, for some, can be a worthwhile career path after college.

There's no reason to go hungry at college, provided you plan a little and get over your need to feel comfortable all the time. Stretch yourself to try something new, and by all means, learn to budget! It'll be the most valuable thing you learn in college — I promise (and at far less than what you'll pay per credit hour for that American Government course).

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

A Restaurant Where You Pay What You Can Afford For The Meal?

Paul Michael — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:31:22 +0000

It sounds like something out a movie, but it’s actually right out of Denver, my home city. And this wonderful idea is not only incredibly innovative and generous, it’s also working well and making thousands of needy people happy in the process.

So All May Eat Café (SAME Café) was founded by Brad And Libby Birky, a couple who moved to Denver from Illinois. They had worked in various shelters and soup kitchens for eight years before they decided to take a chance and open SAME Café. They paid off their car, saved up around $30,000 and then sank it all into one of the most amazing café’s in America, if not the world.

The principal is simple; pay what you can. The menu in SAME Café suggests prices for certain meals, but they are simply that – suggestions. Examples included $5-$15 for a complete meal (which is cheap even on the high end) and around $3 - $6 for one course, such as soup. For those with enough money to pay a decent amount for their meal, it’s a guideline. For starving musicians and artists, homeless people or anyone else down on their luck, the meal could cost a buck or even a few cents.

If you have no money at all, no problem. You can work off your meal in the kitchen washing dishes, clearing tables, mopping floors, peeling vegetables, whatever you can do to pay back what you have just ate. It’s the kind of payment plan that gives people a real sense of worth. It’s not a soup kitchen, it’s not charity, but it is the most flexible and humanitarian restaurant out there.

It’s not only the concept that is fresh though. Brad and Libby Birky have put an emphasis on healthy food, like fresh organic fruit and vegetables. Many of the people who come in for a bite to eat at SAME Café haven’t seen these items for a long time (and in this economy, a burger is cheaper than a handful of fresh broccoli). And although the menu changes daily, you are guaranteed two types of pizza, soup, salad and a homemade dessert.

As you can imagine, Brad and Libby already know they won’t exactly get rich with this kind of venture, but as their volunteering background suggests, they are in this for people ( to be exact, the beauty and grace of feeding people), not money. And the last I heard, they were applying for non-profit status.

Brad has been quoted as saying "everybody should be able to have a good, healthy meal, whether they can afford it or not." I tip my hat to you Brad, and your wife Libby. In times when capitalism is king, you have both risen above it to do something truly special and unique.

For those of you in the Denver area, SAME Café is located at 2023 E. Colfax Ave., between Race and Vine streets. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. Payment is cash or check, no credit cards.

You can also check out their website: http://www.soallmayeat.org

UPDATE: Brad Birky was kind enough to get in touch with me and point out a few changes to SAME Café. First, as you can see from the verbiage that's been crossed out, there are no longer suggestions for meal prices. Brad and Libby felt that the suggested prices put too much pressure on people to donate a particular amount. And second, SAME Café now has offical not-for-profit (501c3) status, which is great news.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Making a good and memorable first impression.

Paul Michael — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:05:27 +0000

As a professional ad man, I'm ashamed to say that I'm really not good at advertising, well, me. That goes double in social situations. I never know where to stand, how to eat, how to engage people in an interesting way, even shaking hands never really seems to go as well as I'd hoped. And I am rotten at remembering names. In a world obsessed with first impressions, knowing just how to act can be your ticket to fortune and glory.

At work, a good impression during a business meeting or luncheon can significantly turn the tide of a meeting. At a business function, new opportunities can be made, or lost, depending on how you act, speak or eat. Even during our social lives, great impressions can lead to great friendships. But regardless, there are certain skills we can all use to make that first impression both memorable and positive. Here are a few tips from the experts.

How to give your business card

How to remember names

How to behave at a 5-star restaurant

The DOs and DON'Ts of communication

Handshaking Etiquette

Housewarming party etiquette

Making a good impression at an interview

How to eat soup

Tips for social interaction

So there you are. A few handy "how to" videos to get you started on the road to that perfect first impressions. Set the bar high.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Nifty Tips for Getting the Most from an All-You-Can Eat Buffet

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:58:46 +0000

Food can serve many purposes. For some it is merely for nourishment. For others it is a form of art or a means of entertainment. For still others, it fills an emotional need and could even be considered an addiction or vice. For the purpose of this article, I’d like to point out that my advice is for the most basic of needs: good nutrition, a bit of indulgence, and a chance to fellowship with your family or friends with no dishes to clean up! Here are the 8 ways we make our dining dollars a great investment:

1. Kids eat free (or almost free). Yep, with four of them, it’s important that we at least get a generous discount, if not a total write-off on the little darlings. In my area, Tuesday is usually the “Kids Eat Free Day” and requires that at least one adult purchase is made for every one (or even two) free kids’ meals. Be sure that if you are dining at a chain restaurant, you call ahead to see if they honor national promotions. We once went to a Golden Corral based on a commercial we saw, only to find they no longer participated in the Kid’s Eat Free promotion. We started to walk, but the manager begged us back in – and comped the kids’ meals to boot.

2. Lunch is served. If at all possible, eat the lunch buffet. There is usually at least a $2-3 difference in the pricing of lunch and dinner, and usually the offerings are similar. In rare instance, an evening buffet may offer something special, like nicer steak, crab legs, or a themed dinner. Weigh your options to decide if this is worth it. I won’t justify the extra for a cheap steak, but a couple of jumbo crab legs might seal the deal.

3. Skip the beverage (or plan accordingly.) Drinks can make an otherwise affordable buffet downright expensive. If drinks are included, go for it. If not, you may want to stick to water with lemon, or decide on only one drink. (Some places will let you get a soft drink with your meal and a coffee afterward, but may charge you for two drinks.)

4. Fill up on fresh. I know that those hot wings are tasty, (and I’m also digging the homemade mac and cheese), but the best way to get your money’s worth on a buffet is to eat as fresh as possible. Melons, berries, broccoli, and avocados are yummy ways to eat healthy and increase the value of your buffet. Encourage kids to eat one full plate of fresh stuff before they even head toward the French fries and fried shrimp. (They will get loads of nutrients, and you can feel good knowing the extra cost gave them more than any Happy Meal could really provide.)

5. Take your time. Buffets are not a dine-and-dash type of atmosphere. If you are squeezing in your meal between two other pressing matters, pick another day to buffet. We like to take a weekday with nothing else to do, go early, and stay late. We snack, talk, and enjoy each other while sampling all kinds of new foods. If we do it right, we can have a lunch/dinner combo that knocks out two meals in one. (Leaving by 4:30, so as not to get charged for dinner, too!) We think of it as the same concept as a brunch, but with the two later meals combined. (And if kids get hungry at home later, we snack on yogurt and granola, or another kind of light breakfast food before retiring for the evening.)

6. Know what’s safe. Even the most talked-about buffets can be a health risk. Be aware of your surroundings, and watch for common food safety issues that may make you sick later. Look for foods that are fairly popular, get switched out often, and appear fresh. If anything doesn’t look right, please don’t eat it! (And let a manager know of your findings.) Raw fishes should be approached with caution, and any salad made with mayonnaise should be eyed carefully. (It’s a bad idea to go for that tuna salad with the orangish-looking crust on top.)

7. Explore your options. There are many types of buffets that appeal to our family. We like Chinese, American, and Italian the best. (In areas that offer more diverse options, I’m sure there are many more kinds to choose from.) Encourage your family to try new things while at the buffet (after all, if they don’t like their first choice, they can just try another dish – and you won’t be out any more.)

8. Be courteous. While buffets are great for saving money, they also seem to attract dining dunces that have little to no common sense or courtesy. While most all of you will know these, I feel they are at least worth saying:

Just because it is a buffet, doesn’t mean you don’t have to tip (even if they only pick up your plates, they deserve the minimum for your region.)

Don’t take more than you can eat at one time (wasting food is a no-no, no matter where you are at.)

Don’t let little kids get their own food (most places have a 10 years or older policy for the buffet line.)

Clean up after yourself. It’s a restaurant, not an abandoned lot. Pick your trash up off the floor, and try to make the server’s job at least tolerable. They work hard, too.

We look forward to our monthly outings to a buffet-style restaurant. When a family of 6 can eat well for under $20 -- that’s a great deal! And with a wide variety of dining options, buffets can fit any style or budget.

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This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

dining

5 Modern Ways to Split the Bill

1. Tab

2. Plates by Splitwise

3. Divvy

4. Billr

5. Venmo

The 14 Best Ways to Cut Food Costs While Traveling

1. Choose an Apartment Instead of a Hotel

2. Look for Hotels With Refrigerators

3. Stock Your Own Alcohol

4. Camp!

5. Eat Lunch in Restaurants, Instead of Dinner

6. Picnic

7. Take Advantage of the "Continental Breakfast"

8. Eat Local Foods

9. Check Out the Appetizer Menu

10. Look for Deals

11. Ask a Local

12. Read Up on Restaurants

13. Any Food Trucks Around?

14. Buy in Bulk

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Best Money Tips: Dining Hacks From Restaurant Insiders

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Best Money Tips: The Cheap Eats Edition

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Know how much your meal plan (really) costs.

Pretend the vending machine doesn’t exist.

Make friends with the food service workers.

Cook with a group.

Shop sales for the holidays.

Work at a food business.

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