Here in Albuquerque, there is an awesome website called 999dine.com (this website also serves a few other cities in New Mexico and I believe one or two in Colorado). It's a discounted gift certificate website, where you can purchase, say, a $20 gift certificate to a restaurant for only ten dollars, or something like that. They have great restaurants and great deals -- best way to save!
Did you perform the alterations yourself? I'm not terribly handy with a sewing machine anymore, and so sometimes I pay for alterations, but it's always so expensive! I generally don't do much more than have my jeans taken up anymore, because it's so pricey.
I use Restaurant.com, Groupon, Living Social and Deal Chicken. We hardly EVER go out without a coupon. I sign up for my favorite restaurant's loyalty program if they have one, so I get a steady stream of coupons that way also. We order water, and have our cocktails at home. We usually forego the apps and salads (I eat salad every day for lunch) for the main course and maybe dessert, but only if it's something special. But my biggest tip for eating out is "EAT LESS!" I always eat half my meal and save the other half for a lunch or dinner during the week. The portions are always at least twice what anyone should be eating anyway.
I save money when eating out by only buying what I really need, not what my eyes want. Also, I don't eat out that much - when I do, it's specifically a social occasion, not just because i don't feel like cooking.
* use a coupon or voucher
* hit happy hour
* go for a prixe fixe or dinner special
* eat out in the middle of the day and then snack later
* buy entrees that will re-heat well for a second lunch or dinner
We will go out for lunch instead of dinner, drink water instead of wine, and skip dessert. We also belong to rewards programs (like tgi friday's stripes program).
Yes, CC to cash savings would be much better, but debit card is still much better than CC. You have to watch your corresponding account all the time (assuming you are not stupid enough to link it to your main bank account), and you can't overspend. It all makes it much more personal/connected to your money.
When my family went from CC to debit - spending went down 15%, averaged over a year. With no real sacrifices or changes in quality of life. With all cash the difference, I believe would be even more staggering. But all cash is very impractical in 201x, so that would be change in life quality.
My family actually went from all CC to cash/debit card and budgeting (but only budgeting for personal items, not food or household). I use yodlee.com to track ALL the money. So I know exact spending levels before and after, averaged over a year.
The difference was over 15%. And we are reasonable, stable, financially responsible people with no compulsive spending habbits. After I realized the numbers - 1-2% cashback( or amex points/tickets) ,and all this nonsense about free 30 day loan - are simply a bad joke. Bank was having its money back TENfold, at least in our case.
We don't eat out very often (once or twice a month), but when we do we usually use Restaurants.com, Groupon, or other coupons. We also like to go out for lunch or an early dinner to avoid the full dinner prices.
Go out for lunch instead of dinner.
Use a groupon for additional savings.
Ask for AAA, Military, School, or other available discounts.
Scout out the restaurants where your kids can eat free on certain days.
Split an entree because portions are large!
We love Panda Express and have one close to our home. About 2 yrs. ago, they had a promotion to buy a take-out reusable cloth bag and receive 10% off your to-go order. The bag was $1.59 and for our family of 3, our usual order comes to $18.59. So in the first transaction alone, we saved .25 and every time thereafter, we save $1.85. We go just about once a week, so over the course of 2 years, that amounts to $192.40! The bag stays in my car!
Just wondering if something is missing from ingredients listed. i made these and mine did not in any way look like the pic posted. Came out the color of banana bread. in addition, i put it in teaspoon clumps onto the greased cookie sheet and they stayed in clumps. next batch i pressed/flattened myself.
Here in Albuquerque, there is an awesome website called 999dine.com (this website also serves a few other cities in New Mexico and I believe one or two in Colorado). It's a discounted gift certificate website, where you can purchase, say, a $20 gift certificate to a restaurant for only ten dollars, or something like that. They have great restaurants and great deals -- best way to save!
I don't currently have a good workspace to refinish furniture, and it's one of my biggest joys. I cannot WAIT to have a garage some day.
Did you perform the alterations yourself? I'm not terribly handy with a sewing machine anymore, and so sometimes I pay for alterations, but it's always so expensive! I generally don't do much more than have my jeans taken up anymore, because it's so pricey.
We rarely dine out so when we do, it's an "occasion". So I don't attempt to cut corners in this department.
You are "liked" on Facebook. Thanks!
I use Restaurant.com, Groupon, Living Social and Deal Chicken. We hardly EVER go out without a coupon. I sign up for my favorite restaurant's loyalty program if they have one, so I get a steady stream of coupons that way also. We order water, and have our cocktails at home. We usually forego the apps and salads (I eat salad every day for lunch) for the main course and maybe dessert, but only if it's something special. But my biggest tip for eating out is "EAT LESS!" I always eat half my meal and save the other half for a lunch or dinner during the week. The portions are always at least twice what anyone should be eating anyway.
I like WB on FB!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/junethomemaker/status/189794570270289921
I save money when eating out by only buying what I really need, not what my eyes want. Also, I don't eat out that much - when I do, it's specifically a social occasion, not just because i don't feel like cooking.
We always do one or more of the following:
* use a coupon or voucher
* hit happy hour
* go for a prixe fixe or dinner special
* eat out in the middle of the day and then snack later
* buy entrees that will re-heat well for a second lunch or dinner
We will go out for lunch instead of dinner, drink water instead of wine, and skip dessert. We also belong to rewards programs (like tgi friday's stripes program).
I look at the menu ahead of time and plan what I'm going to eat or split with a friend!
Yes, CC to cash savings would be much better, but debit card is still much better than CC. You have to watch your corresponding account all the time (assuming you are not stupid enough to link it to your main bank account), and you can't overspend. It all makes it much more personal/connected to your money.
When my family went from CC to debit - spending went down 15%, averaged over a year. With no real sacrifices or changes in quality of life. With all cash the difference, I believe would be even more staggering. But all cash is very impractical in 201x, so that would be change in life quality.
I actually did the experiment all CC->all cash.
My family actually went from all CC to cash/debit card and budgeting (but only budgeting for personal items, not food or household). I use yodlee.com to track ALL the money. So I know exact spending levels before and after, averaged over a year.
The difference was over 15%. And we are reasonable, stable, financially responsible people with no compulsive spending habbits. After I realized the numbers - 1-2% cashback( or amex points/tickets) ,and all this nonsense about free 30 day loan - are simply a bad joke. Bank was having its money back TENfold, at least in our case.
Order an appetizer instead of an actual dinner entree. Often times, the appetizer will be large enough to serve as a dinner!
Or alternatively, order off the kids menu! ;)
I always withhold extra from my paychecks to cover my freelance work. It makes tax time much more pleasant.
Does anybody have other suggestions of financial things to do (or that you wish you did) when starting a new job?
We don't eat out very often (once or twice a month), but when we do we usually use Restaurants.com, Groupon, or other coupons. We also like to go out for lunch or an early dinner to avoid the full dinner prices.
split an entree and don't order alcohol
I also "liked" and left a comment on the Facebook page! :)
Go out for lunch instead of dinner.
Use a groupon for additional savings.
Ask for AAA, Military, School, or other available discounts.
Scout out the restaurants where your kids can eat free on certain days.
Split an entree because portions are large!
All these miserly people drinking water in a nice restaurant makes me want to cry. ...And pee. The wait staff must *love* you, big spenders!
Simply put: "How do I save money when dining out?" I don't. The two things are mutually exclusive as far as I'm concerned.
I "liked" WB... But I don't like these responses.
Agree strongly! Thanks for the laugh!
Great article -- as an avid thrift store shopper, I think I've done most of these!
We love Panda Express and have one close to our home. About 2 yrs. ago, they had a promotion to buy a take-out reusable cloth bag and receive 10% off your to-go order. The bag was $1.59 and for our family of 3, our usual order comes to $18.59. So in the first transaction alone, we saved .25 and every time thereafter, we save $1.85. We go just about once a week, so over the course of 2 years, that amounts to $192.40! The bag stays in my car!
Just wondering if something is missing from ingredients listed. i made these and mine did not in any way look like the pic posted. Came out the color of banana bread. in addition, i put it in teaspoon clumps onto the greased cookie sheet and they stayed in clumps. next batch i pressed/flattened myself.