Dining out is a delightful experience, but it can also put a dent in your wallet. With rising menu prices, many Americans are eating out less often. A YouGov report from October revealed that 37% of American diners are dining out less frequently than a year earlier, while only 8% are eating out more. However, with some smart strategies, you can still enjoy restaurant meals without overspending.
Whether you’re looking to try a new restaurant or simply want to spend time with loved ones, eating out can be a rewarding experience. It might even boost your mental health. The key is to approach dining out with a plan. Personal finance and nutrition experts offer practical tips to help you make the most of your restaurant visits without overspending.
Set clear intentions for dining out
Before you head out to a restaurant, take a moment to consider your intentions. Are you looking to try a trendy new spot, or are you simply seeking a pleasant dining experience with friends and family? Kimberly Palmer a personal finance expert at NerdWallet suggests that understanding your motivations can help you choose a restaurant that aligns with your needs and budget.
“You might find just as much value and enjoyment in a less expensive pizza place as you would in a high-end restaurant,” Palmer explains. “Taking the time to think about why you’re going out and what you hope to gain from the experience can guide your decisions and prevent overspending.”
Create a dedicated dining-out budget
To keep your restaurant spending in check, it’s essential to establish a dedicated budget. Personal finance experts recommend reviewing your past spending on food outside the home to create a realistic budget. If you follow the 50-30-20 budgeting method, restaurant trips would fall under the 30% discretionary spending category.
Lindsay Plumb a financial counselor, emphasizes the importance of separating your dining-out budget from your grocery money. “My grocery money does not touch our ‘spend-with-joy’ money,” Plumb says. “The spend-with-joy money I get to spend truly with joy, not worry about whether or not I can pay my mortgage or buy the groceries or if the kids need cleats.”
To stretch your dining-out budget even further, look for restaurants with loyalty programs that offer free or discounted items. These programs can provide additional savings and enhance your dining experience.
Plan your meal in advance
Another effective strategy is to peruse the restaurant’s menu before you arrive. Taking a few minutes to review the menu allows you to plan your meal ahead of time and avoid making impulsive decisions at the table. Amy Lawson a registered dietician, notes that this small bit of research can also help you make healthier choices.
“When we go to a restaurant and we are really hungry, our hunger hormones are really loud, and they are telling us: ‘Give me all the carbohydrates … Give me the quickest source of fuel,'” Lawson explains. “This can muddle our brains and make it harder to choose the healthiest option.”
By planning your meal in advance, you can make more informed decisions and avoid succumbing to hunger-driven impulses.
Practice portion control
Restaurant portions can be generous, often exceeding what we need for a single meal. Lawson suggests a simple yet effective tip: put half of your meal in a to-go box right away. This practice not only helps you avoid overeating but also prevents food waste. Additionally, it means you’ve got a meal for the next day at no additional cost.
An analysis from the nonprofit ReFED found that 25% of restaurant customers leave food on their plates always or most of the time. By immediately setting aside half of your meal, you can enjoy the benefits of portion control and reduce food waste.
Get creative with takeout
If you’re looking to enjoy restaurant food more affordably, consider getting creative with takeout. Palmer of NerdWallet shares her strategy of ordering catering trays from a local restaurant and inviting company over. This approach allows her to enjoy restaurant food at a lower cost while socializing with friends and family. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for the week, providing additional meals.
Some NPR readers also suggest getting takeout for part of your meal and cooking the rest. For example, you could order a pizza or stir fry and supplement it with a homemade salad or steamed rice. This hybrid approach can help you enjoy restaurant-quality food while keeping costs in check.
Opt for pickup instead of delivery
When it comes to takeout, choosing to pick up your order instead of having it delivered can save you money. The National Restaurant Association reports that three out of every four meals served by U.S. restaurants last year were taken to go. However, delivery services often add significant costs to your order.
The website LendingTree found that fast-food and fast-casual delivery orders in the top 10 U.S. metro areas cost nearly 80% more than if customers had picked them up themselves. If convenience is your priority, you can factor those extra costs into your budget. But if you’re able to pick up your order yourself, you’ll save a substantial amount of money.
By implementing these smart strategies, you can enjoy dining out without breaking the bank. Whether you’re setting clear intentions, creating a dedicated budget, planning your meal in advance, practicing portion control, getting creative with takeout, or opting for pickup instead of delivery, these tips can help you make the most of your restaurant visits while keeping your finances in check.
