Going Out To Eat (On A Budget)

Anyone that knows me well, knows I love going out to eat. It's not so much that I love it, but sometimes it's a necessity. Either I didn't make a plan as to what we would eat that night at home or I'm just being extra lazy and whiny so my husband says, "Fine, let's just go out." One of our favorite places to go is Carino's on Monday nights because they offer 1/2 price family platters. We order a family platter (usually one family member gets to pick what we are eating that night), eat unlimited salads and bread and order water (which refers back to the very first blog I wrote). Our bill will be under $16 for a family of four! For all the food we get to eat, I can't cook that cheaply. Probably the best bargain is the family platter of lasagna. Last week, three out of the four of us ordered it. We ate it Monday night and then all three of us took it in our lunches the next day. Not bad for a bill that totaled $15.13! Check restaurants in your area. Where I live, there are several places that offer inexpensive eating options Monday-Wednesday. Sonic has 1/2 price hamburgers after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Rosa's has "Taco Tuesdays." Mamaritas in Lubbock has $5 nachos on Wednesdays. There are several ways you can find out about these deals: 1) Check out the restaurant's website. For a prime example, I visited Sonic's site and today is "National Back to School Day." It is half price breakfast burritos all day today (September 4); 2) Become a member of Groupon and/or Living Social. Be careful with this. Do not buy from a place you don't eat; 3) Google your favorite restaurants. There may be several sites that offer coupons; and 4) Ask around. Talk to your friends. They can give you advice on good restaurant deals. Now, I must go to Sonic's Happy Hour to get a 1/2 price cherry limeade!