| With hectic schedules filled with business meetings, | | | | desserts come frozen courtesy of a large food |
| soccer and swim team practices and trips to the | | | | distribution company. A restaurant will add a dollop |
| gym, eating out can seem like a time saving | | | | of cream or a fancy sauce and charge you five |
| alternative to the hassles of grocery shopping, | | | | or six times more than what it cost them, or |
| meal planning and cooking at home. However, the | | | | more! Save dessert for when you get home and |
| trend in these times of economic uncertainty has | | | | save a bundle. |
| been to cut back on eating out due to the | | | | Sharing: It's no secret that restaurant portions are |
| expense. The reality is that eating out does not | | | | oversized and we've really no business cleaning |
| need to be the expensive occasion that it often | | | | off our plates while dining out. These super-huge |
| is. | | | | portions can easily serve two and many |
| Be aware of discounts, specials and coupons: | | | | restaurants will let you share. Beware though, of |
| Those weekly fliers that are delivered to your | | | | the restaurants that charge an additional fee for |
| home mailbox can contain a wealth of dining out | | | | sharing or cleverly disguise this fee as an 'extra |
| coupons for both fast food and casual style | | | | plate fee'. Ask ahead of time and if sharing isn't |
| restaurants. And with restaurants facing economic | | | | conducive, then only eat half your meal and take |
| uncertainty, they are doing all they can to attract | | | | the rest home for lunch or dinner the next day. |
| customers with flashy coupons, half price specials, | | | | Special occasion dining: Save the fancy |
| and kids-eat-free nights or menus. Pay attention | | | | restaurants for special occasions! We all like to be |
| to all these things and let your homework, instead | | | | pampered with a five star dining experience, but |
| of your stomach, guide you to your next | | | | these establishments are supremely costly. Save |
| restaurant. | | | | these outings for truly special occasions, and leave |
| Drink & desserts: Restaurants push flashy | | | | the kids at home! |
| wine and drink menus for good reason. The profit | | | | Eating out has become a permanent part of the |
| markup on drinks, from soda to wine, is huge! | | | | North American culture, and while many people |
| Stick to water with lime or lemon and your bill at | | | | are choosing to eat out less due to less disposable |
| the end of the night will be considerably less. If | | | | income, it is true that dining out can be a time |
| you must drink, look for happy hours where drink | | | | saver as well as a pleasant social occasion. |
| prices are reduced and even many of the meal or | | | | However, by following the tried and true tips listed |
| appetizer items are discounted as well. Desserts | | | | here, your night out does not need to break the |
| are also incredibly marked up and in fact most | | | | bank. |