Eating Out Without Eating Up Your Family Budget

Long days at the office, extra-curricular activities and general exhaustion can lead to a big budget buster for families: eating out (or ordering in). While an occasional restaurant meal for the family can be a treat, especially when you’re watching your costs, it’s important not to let dining out become a default option around your house.

Did you know that the average restaurant meal for a family of four costs about $40 dollars on the low end? By those numbers, skipping just one restaurant meal a week would save you $2,000 a year.

If that kind of savings isn’t incentive enough, here are some ideas to help your family eat in—and enjoy it—more often:

• Share the workload. Giving each member of the family a kitchen-related chore takes the load off mom and dad, and instills a sense of responsibility in your kids. Young children in particular like to feel included and helpful, so let them. You can also reward your family’s participation with a restaurant meal each month.
• Plan ahead. Trying to think of a meal for every day of the week can be tough, but it’s worth it. To spark your creativity, check out a 30-minute family recipe cookbook from the library; search online for easy, healthy recipe ideas; pick up a  family recipe magazine from time to time; and experiment with new ideas.  You can also compile a list of your family’s favorite recipes to make more frequently.
• Take advantage of deals and coupons. Choose restaurants that offer “kids eat free” deals, a kids’ menu, or other family discounts. The Internet and local newspapers are also good resources for finding coupons.
• Don’t order more than you need. Instead of ordering four entrees, get a couple of appetizers and two entrees and split everything up. Limit the number of toppings you put on your pizza, and if you have leftovers, take them home. You can also choose family-style restaurants where the portions are designed to be shared.
• Spice up your evenings. Instead of always eating in the kitchen or dining room, when the weather allows for it,  eat on the porch, have a “campfire” night in the backyard, or take a picnic to a local park.
• Treat going to a restaurant as a special activity. Make restaurant dining about food and family interaction instead of a last-minute convenience. Eating out should be the evening’s entertainment, not a pre-cursor to another expense.