Everyone should know that cooking at home is cheaper than eating out. Last week, Chris' list of 20 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget warned that eating out is usually neither healthy nor affordable.
But sometimes we are too busy or tired to cook for ourselves. I like to go out to eat to celebrate a special occasion or try a new restaurant as a reward.
Whatever your reason for eating out, you shouldn't go broke or feel guilty while doing so.
Restaurant.com offers dining certificates to thousands of restaurants at discounted rates. Their website advertises "$25 Gift Certificates for Just $10."
This may seem straightforward enough, but here are some tips that will help you make the most of this money-saving service:
- Restaurant.com is constantly running promotions that allow even deeper discounts on their certificates. Right now you can save 50% to get a $25 coupon for only $5.
- Certificates are subject to availability. Make sure to search for participating restaurants in your area and carefully check their requirements before purchasing.
- Different restaurants have different offers. Most places I encountered required a minimum purchase of between $35 - $50 for a $25 certificate. The current BeFrugal coupon brings the cost of a $35 dollar meal down to $15! That's almost 60% savings!
- When using your certificate, avoid ordering extras such as drinks, appetizers and desserts. Spending the money that you would be saving defeats the whole purpose of using the certificate.
With these tips in mind, check out the latest Restaurant.com coupons and enjoy an affordable meal out!