I agree with #11. Its amazing that many fine dining restaurants allow you to take orders to go.
That way you don't have to worry about the wait time, the noise, and paying for overpriced drinks and desserts which you can get much more cheaply from your own kitchen.
Also consider many restaurant mailing lists. They send you great coupons. Recently, Boston Chicken emailed me a coupon that allowed me to buy one dinner and get one dinner free, saving me $7.
Restaurant.com has 70%-80% off their gift certificates all the time. I recently picked up a $25 gift certificate for only $2.25!!! There are stipulations but usually aren't that strict. My fiancee and I had a $50 dinner for about $10. Not too shabby.
I stay at home with our four kids and would like to budget, but my husband just "does it in his head" so we don't really have one. I do have a savings account I add to regularly. That is why we are going to Disney World next month. Twenty bucks here and there adds up.
My mom taught me this one: If you wipe your mixer bowl with a bit of vinegar (I usually use a splash on a towel) before whipping egg whites, you'll get a fluffier result. The vinegar breaks down any residual oil stuck to the surface of the bowl which would inhibit the egg whites.
And it's not vinegar, but... when I was working in theatre managing costumes we used to make a 50/50 mix of vodka and water in spray bottles to spritz the costumes that were to delicate (or large for that matter) to be washed every night. It disinfects them and removes even the nastiest B.O. smells!
I agree that tipping on the pre-coupon price is polite, but Comment #1's argument wasn't really sound.
For example, if you go to Fridays and use one of their free dessert coupons (or heck, a BOGO entree coupon), the server is doing the same amount of work to serve you whether you're paying for the dessert or entree or not.
The server is doing the same amount of work if I buy the $4 burger or the $20 steak too. It's not like they're the one cooking the thing. They just carry it out and clean up when I'm done. Why would ordering the $20 steak automatically up the tip?
That raises the question of what a waiter really should get paid, but I don't have an answer to that.
CLIP!! $.025 off is as good as a quarter in your pocket. If you saw a quarter lying on the sidewalk, you'd pick it up, wouldn't you? And often a store will double it value. My only caveat is to NOT let availability of coupons control my buying behavior.
I definitely agree with previous comments that it is dishonest/unethical to share a drink and then get refills. Just because you are sharing a glass doesn't mean you're drinking any less of the soda, and the crazy markup on drinks does not make stealing ok. I would rather pay the extra $2 and have a clear conscience.
I often just order take out at restaurants (most restaurants offer take out). That way I don't have to put up with:
- Noisy customers (and their kids!)
- Poor wait staff that you have to tip anyway to make sure they don't spit in your food next time.
- Directly financing the restaurants labor (tips) on already overpriced food because it's always been done that way. How about paying the staff a decent wage and making the price on the menu what I owe. Poor wait staff should be fired, not punished via bad tips.
- No need to buy overpriced drinks (especially alcoholic)
When first married, my wife and I had plenty of money to do whatever we wanted. But then we bought a house and had to tighten out belts.
But at the same time we wanted to furnish the house with a bunch of cool stuff. So we set up a bunch of different savings accounts: Vacation, Furniture & Bulldog.
In about two years (with modest salaries) we went skiing w/friends, bought a couple nice pieces of furniture and welcomed Sophie the Wonderdog into our home.
It was great!
Then we added layoffs and kids into the mix and our saving went the way of the dodo bird.
When my husband and I first met we were 17 years old and working at the same job. The job paid fairly well back then for part-time teenage employees, and we were both in our youthful, fun-loving party days, so money was to be spent on going out, concerts, clothes, etc. When we started dating we would take turns paying for dinner and movies and such we were at the same income level. We pooled our resources when we moved in together during college and we managed to rack up quite a bit of credit card debt together. Eventually we got married and still had the debt. Only after years of marriage when we decided to finally make the leap from apartment living to owning a home did we truly get serious about digging out of debt, budgeting and saving. Now we share a common love for budgets, paying with cash, and building up our bank account. I regret that it took us so long but at least we learned our lesson in the end.
Don't forget to try the daily special. It's usually a discounted menu item used to entice new customers to the restaurant. And I second Trent, sugary soda drinks just add more calories and keep me awake at night with the carbonated gas and the caffeine.
I agree with #5 and #7. If a restaurant offers free refills and I'm sharing, I believe that is unethical. It may be overpriced, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm not abiding by their rules. I'm a water drinker myself, and I still often feel guilty stealing a sip of my husband's free refill soda - even though that's the same as I'd do if we were at home.
This is an insanely great deal. I purchased some gift certificates with this same deal 3 months ago and spent $11 on $150 worth of gift certificates. TOTALLY worth it.
p.s.. If you use coupons, ALWAYS tip on pre-discount food like Paul said. You're already getting a bargain; don't be a stingy pants!
After abandoning soft drinks about a year ago and switching to water as my main beverage, I've found that it makes food taste better. Soda dulls the taste buds, making meals taste less enjoyable than they would otherwise.
Well, there are exceptions of course like a special occasion or an emergency, but generally I like to cook at home as much as possible. I published a list of cons when it comes to eating out and while you can save and maximize on eating out I think cooking a great meal at home with high quality ingredients is the way to go.
If you are being charged per drink (not all you can drink), then sharing your drink is a fine idea. If there are refills, i think it's the same concept as an all you can eat buffet and sharing isn't okay. If you think the restaurant's profit is too high on beverages, water is always an option. I also think it's important to tip on the pre-discount amount. Waiters make $2 an hour around here and I wouldn't give them less of a tip because I got a good deal on the food.
Sorry, Paul, but I beg to differ with you on No. 2. As a former server and someone who paid an entire household's expenses from doing same, I need to contradict you a little. If you use a coupon, that's perfectly okay with the server, but it is considered poor form to tip on the bill less the coupon. For example, if you go to Fridays and use one of their free dessert coupons (or heck, a BOGO entree coupon), the server is doing the same amount of work to serve you whether you're paying for the dessert or entree or not. Do NOT punish the server by reducing the tip. Usually the entree or dessert is not more than $10, typically much less. Just tip the server as though the coupon had not been applied. It's an extra dollar or two, and you're still saving money, but you're helping someone make a living on HORRIBLE wages, hours, and treatment.
I got my financial house in order around the same time my boyfriend starting thinking about proposing to me. I'm not saying they're directly related at all, but knowing that we've both got our heads on straight certainly contributes to a healthy relationship and makes the future look much brighter than it might otherwise.
We don't have a strict monthly budget but we do write down where every penny from our (separate for now) spending goes. We may not be limiting ourselves much but at least we're honest.
A lot of colleges have students working on their last big projects, such as plays they have directed or a senior music recital they have prepared. When they present them, they are free and usually have a reception following with yummy desserts. The shows/concerts are usually very good, and you don't have to pay for a ticket.
I agree with #11. Its amazing that many fine dining restaurants allow you to take orders to go.
That way you don't have to worry about the wait time, the noise, and paying for overpriced drinks and desserts which you can get much more cheaply from your own kitchen.
Also consider many restaurant mailing lists. They send you great coupons. Recently, Boston Chicken emailed me a coupon that allowed me to buy one dinner and get one dinner free, saving me $7.
Restaurant.com has 70%-80% off their gift certificates all the time. I recently picked up a $25 gift certificate for only $2.25!!! There are stipulations but usually aren't that strict. My fiancee and I had a $50 dinner for about $10. Not too shabby.
I stay at home with our four kids and would like to budget, but my husband just "does it in his head" so we don't really have one. I do have a savings account I add to regularly. That is why we are going to Disney World next month. Twenty bucks here and there adds up.
My mom taught me this one: If you wipe your mixer bowl with a bit of vinegar (I usually use a splash on a towel) before whipping egg whites, you'll get a fluffier result. The vinegar breaks down any residual oil stuck to the surface of the bowl which would inhibit the egg whites.
And it's not vinegar, but... when I was working in theatre managing costumes we used to make a 50/50 mix of vodka and water in spray bottles to spritz the costumes that were to delicate (or large for that matter) to be washed every night. It disinfects them and removes even the nastiest B.O. smells!
I agree that tipping on the pre-coupon price is polite, but Comment #1's argument wasn't really sound.
For example, if you go to Fridays and use one of their free dessert coupons (or heck, a BOGO entree coupon), the server is doing the same amount of work to serve you whether you're paying for the dessert or entree or not.
The server is doing the same amount of work if I buy the $4 burger or the $20 steak too. It's not like they're the one cooking the thing. They just carry it out and clean up when I'm done. Why would ordering the $20 steak automatically up the tip?
That raises the question of what a waiter really should get paid, but I don't have an answer to that.
CLIP!! $.025 off is as good as a quarter in your pocket. If you saw a quarter lying on the sidewalk, you'd pick it up, wouldn't you? And often a store will double it value. My only caveat is to NOT let availability of coupons control my buying behavior.
I definitely agree with previous comments that it is dishonest/unethical to share a drink and then get refills. Just because you are sharing a glass doesn't mean you're drinking any less of the soda, and the crazy markup on drinks does not make stealing ok. I would rather pay the extra $2 and have a clear conscience.
good suggestions Paul. check out 20 money saving tips when eating out for other ideas.
These look like fantastic resources. I absolutely appreciate the low impact calculator, I can definitely use this very soon.
thanks for all your research,
Little House
I often just order take out at restaurants (most restaurants offer take out). That way I don't have to put up with:
- Noisy customers (and their kids!)
- Poor wait staff that you have to tip anyway to make sure they don't spit in your food next time.
- Directly financing the restaurants labor (tips) on already overpriced food because it's always been done that way. How about paying the staff a decent wage and making the price on the menu what I owe. Poor wait staff should be fired, not punished via bad tips.
- No need to buy overpriced drinks (especially alcoholic)
When first married, my wife and I had plenty of money to do whatever we wanted. But then we bought a house and had to tighten out belts.
But at the same time we wanted to furnish the house with a bunch of cool stuff. So we set up a bunch of different savings accounts: Vacation, Furniture & Bulldog.
In about two years (with modest salaries) we went skiing w/friends, bought a couple nice pieces of furniture and welcomed Sophie the Wonderdog into our home.
It was great!
Then we added layoffs and kids into the mix and our saving went the way of the dodo bird.
But we're back on track!
When my husband and I first met we were 17 years old and working at the same job. The job paid fairly well back then for part-time teenage employees, and we were both in our youthful, fun-loving party days, so money was to be spent on going out, concerts, clothes, etc. When we started dating we would take turns paying for dinner and movies and such we were at the same income level. We pooled our resources when we moved in together during college and we managed to rack up quite a bit of credit card debt together. Eventually we got married and still had the debt. Only after years of marriage when we decided to finally make the leap from apartment living to owning a home did we truly get serious about digging out of debt, budgeting and saving. Now we share a common love for budgets, paying with cash, and building up our bank account. I regret that it took us so long but at least we learned our lesson in the end.
Don't forget to try the daily special. It's usually a discounted menu item used to entice new customers to the restaurant. And I second Trent, sugary soda drinks just add more calories and keep me awake at night with the carbonated gas and the caffeine.
I agree with #5 and #7. If a restaurant offers free refills and I'm sharing, I believe that is unethical. It may be overpriced, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm not abiding by their rules. I'm a water drinker myself, and I still often feel guilty stealing a sip of my husband's free refill soda - even though that's the same as I'd do if we were at home.
This should be added to your deals for the day:
http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/entertainment/641401?utm_source=top20...
This is an insanely great deal. I purchased some gift certificates with this same deal 3 months ago and spent $11 on $150 worth of gift certificates. TOTALLY worth it.
p.s.. If you use coupons, ALWAYS tip on pre-discount food like Paul said. You're already getting a bargain; don't be a stingy pants!
~Della
After abandoning soft drinks about a year ago and switching to water as my main beverage, I've found that it makes food taste better. Soda dulls the taste buds, making meals taste less enjoyable than they would otherwise.
Plus, it's way cheaper.
Well, there are exceptions of course like a special occasion or an emergency, but generally I like to cook at home as much as possible. I published a list of cons when it comes to eating out and while you can save and maximize on eating out I think cooking a great meal at home with high quality ingredients is the way to go.
Here's the link to my article, "7 Reasons Why You Should Never Eat Out"
Best,
Vince from Scordo.com
If you are being charged per drink (not all you can drink), then sharing your drink is a fine idea. If there are refills, i think it's the same concept as an all you can eat buffet and sharing isn't okay. If you think the restaurant's profit is too high on beverages, water is always an option. I also think it's important to tip on the pre-discount amount. Waiters make $2 an hour around here and I wouldn't give them less of a tip because I got a good deal on the food.
And I will amend the article accordingly. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.
Okay so I meant to say "first" instead of "frist"...spell check, my pal....
I agree with the frist comment. You ALWAYS tip on the price BEFORE your discounts. Saving money is fine, being cheap and leaving a bad tip is pitiful.
Sorry, Paul, but I beg to differ with you on No. 2. As a former server and someone who paid an entire household's expenses from doing same, I need to contradict you a little. If you use a coupon, that's perfectly okay with the server, but it is considered poor form to tip on the bill less the coupon. For example, if you go to Fridays and use one of their free dessert coupons (or heck, a BOGO entree coupon), the server is doing the same amount of work to serve you whether you're paying for the dessert or entree or not. Do NOT punish the server by reducing the tip. Usually the entree or dessert is not more than $10, typically much less. Just tip the server as though the coupon had not been applied. It's an extra dollar or two, and you're still saving money, but you're helping someone make a living on HORRIBLE wages, hours, and treatment.
Please do not post advertisements or requests for hair. These comments will be (and have been) removed.
I got my financial house in order around the same time my boyfriend starting thinking about proposing to me. I'm not saying they're directly related at all, but knowing that we've both got our heads on straight certainly contributes to a healthy relationship and makes the future look much brighter than it might otherwise.
We don't have a strict monthly budget but we do write down where every penny from our (separate for now) spending goes. We may not be limiting ourselves much but at least we're honest.
A lot of colleges have students working on their last big projects, such as plays they have directed or a senior music recital they have prepared. When they present them, they are free and usually have a reception following with yummy desserts. The shows/concerts are usually very good, and you don't have to pay for a ticket.