Saving money when eating out

November 6, 2:18 PMSanta Rosa Budget Meals ExaminerCarolyn DeBernardi

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Coupons for local food establishments
by ccdebe

With today's economy, more people are eating on a budget.  Families are eating at home to save money and eating out is becoming less common. While eating at home has its many perks, every once in a while, people want to eat out.  Local restaurants and fast food places are doing their part to get us to come out and eat at their establishments.  How? Check out these ways to eat at some of your local eateries when you are pinching pennies. 

• Coupons.  Local food places are offering coupons to entice people to eat out. The offers can vary from a few dollars off your meal to eating 2 for the price of 1 to free meals.  Where do you find these coupons?  Here are three places to check:  your local paper, your mailbox, online, and at the restaurant.  Our local paper, the Press Democrat, advertises specials and coupons for local places; the Sunday paper often has extra coupons as well.   When you check your mailbox, don't be tempted to throw out the bulk mail right away.  There are monthly coupons included in there!  You can find coupon deals for local restaurants, whether you like Chinese, Mexican, Italian, etc.  Of course, there will also be fast food places, but the coupons come in handy when you have to eat on the run-keep those in your car!  You can also check online and print your own coupons.  You can find coupons online for many franchises and even some local spots may have promotional coupons too.  Some restaurants are now including coupons with your receipt for future visits, especially with take-out orders.  Others may offer a punch card which will offer a free meal once you complete the necessary visits.
• Deals of the week.  Some restaurants will offer daily or weekly specials.  They will often advertise on the premises. Some of the larger franchises, like Applebee's, will promote ads in their television commercials.   For families, there are several places now that let children under 10 eat for free.   Even some of the grocery stores have gotten into offering deals.  Safeway offers Friday deals for their ready to eat meals, like turkey breast or meatloaf.   The fast food industry currently has been in competition and some now offer great deals.  Subway has $5 footlong sandwiches, Quiznos offers $4 torpedo sandwiches, and many of the pizza places have a few items to feed the family for less than $10.
• Share your meal.  Let's face it, most places give you too much food and you either overeat or have leftovers.  Why not share it?  While some restaurants may not approve of this, most places are okay with food sharing.  It is your food afterall.  Most places are becoming more comfortable with providing an extra plate for sharing; in fact, they are just happy you are there.  This is easiest to do in more family-style restaurants, but it works most anywhere.  Just make them happy and buy a beverage for each of you!

Remember, just because you are on a budget doesn't mean you have to eat at home all of the time.  Everyone needs a night free of cooking once in a while.  So, check your mailbox, surf the internet, and read your local newspapers!  Find those deals and eat out!

Wishing you good health!