How to eat out without spending a fortune
10 reported
A YouGov report from October found that 37% of American diners said they were eating out less often than a year earlier, driven by high menu prices and a desire to save money, while only 8% said they were dining out more. Personal finance and nutrition experts recommend several strategies to eat out without overspending. Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, suggests diners think about why they are going out to help choose a restaurant that meets their needs. Financial counselor Lindsay Plumb advises separating a dining-out budget from grocery money and looking for restaurants with loyalty programs. Registered dietician Amy Lawson recommends reading the menu in advance to plan a meal and avoid impulse ordering. Lawson also suggests putting half of a meal in a to-go box immediately to prevent overeating and provide a future meal. Palmer notes that ordering catering trays from a local restaurant and inviting company over can be a cheaper way to enjoy restaurant food and socialize. The National Restaurant Association reported that three out of every four meals served by U.S. restaurants last year were taken to go, and LendingTree found that fast-food and fast-casual delivery orders in the top 10 U.S. metro areas cost nearly 80% more than picking them up.
What’s reported
A YouGov report from October found 37% of American diners said they were eating out less often than a year earlier, driven by high menu prices and a desire to save money.
Only 8% of diners said they were dining out more.
Kimberly Palmer of NerdWallet says determining why you are eating out can help choose a restaurant that meets needs and avoids overspending.
Financial counselor Lindsay Plumb says it is critical to separate a dining-out budget from grocery money.
Registered dietician Amy Lawson recommends reading the menu in advance to plan a meal and avoid impulse ordering.
Lawson also suggests putting half of a meal in a to-go box immediately to prevent overeating and provide a future meal.
An analysis from the nonprofit ReFED found that 25% of restaurant customers said they leave food on their plates always or most of the time.
Palmer says ordering catering trays from a local restaurant and inviting company over can be a cheaper way to enjoy restaurant food and socialize.
The National Restaurant Association reported that three out of every four meals served by U.S. restaurants last year were taken to go.
LendingTree found that fast-food and fast-casual delivery orders in the top 10 U.S. metro areas cost nearly 80% more than picking them up.
Key figures
Kimberly Palmer, personal finance expert at NerdWallet
Lindsay Plumb, financial counselor
Amy Lawson, registered dietician
Sources: NPR
