Eating Out On $40

Last updated on: August 22, 2014 at 4:03 pm by Rebecca Frech

Eating Out On $40 2014-08-22T16:03:04-05:00 Rebecca Frech

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

There seemed to be some interest in how we can possibly eat out as a family for $40 every 2 weeks. I assume that the question was aimed at sit-down-and-eat waiter and menu restaurants, and not fast food. Although, fast food is a treat for us and not a regular thing. Our eating out budget can go to either 1 nice meal or 2-3 fast food meals, sometimes 4 if I can catch a deal. I’ll start with fast food, because it’s the easiest, although both ways require the same principle of being aware of good deals and planning ahead. Spontaneity will kill your budget.

Fast Food on the Cheap

Taco Bell 16 crispy tacos @ $.89ea + tax = $15.50

Carl’s Jr Friday night is $.85 star burger night 8 burgers + 2 Jumbo fries + Tax = $13.20

Wendy’s 4 pks 5 piece nuggets @ $1.19 ea + 3 bacon cheeseburgers @ $1.00 ea + 2 spicy cheicken sandwiches + 3 $1.00 fries = $18.50

Little Caesar’s On Mondays, pizzas are $3.99 ea 3 pizzas + tax= $13.20

Popeye’s Fried Chicken (Yum!) 11 pc box $9.99 + family size fries $4.00 + 2 extra legs @$1.50 = $18.50

Wal Mart Deli Bucket deal (If yours has it) 3 lbs from the deli for $10. We get 1 lb chicken strips, 1.5 popcorn chicken and .5 lb General Tso Chicken + 1.5 lbs potatoes approx $3.50 + tax = $14 and change

Fazoli’s On Tuesdays, kids meals are $.99 ea. They’re big enough that I get one too. 6 kids meals + something for my husband (around $4) + tax $11.50

The biggest tip is to buy the big size fries and share them. If your kids each “need” their own boxes, ask for them. I’ve never had a cashier tell me no. (helpful tip – keep extra fry boxes in the car for splitting up snacks)

Dining Out

Logan’s Roadhouse Mondays and Tuesdays all day and evening have 2 adult entrees for $13.99 kids meals are $2.99 each and include a drink. The baby still eats off of my plate $13.99 + 5 @ 2.99 + tip & tax = $35.00

If you’re in OKC, we love Bellini’s for fine dining. Go at lunch and eat out on the patio if you’re taking the kids. The portions are generous and the waiters are friendly. (If you live somewhere else, I’m sure you have local favorites that would be comparable. Pollo Pancetta (it’s huge. I split it with #1 & #6) $12 + Spaghetti w/ meatballs (split with #5) $9 + hand tossed pizza for everyone else $11 + tax & tip = $40 if you take the kids at night, the same thing runs close to $55. Avoid the crowds. Go after Mass on Sunday.

Eating at a sit-down restaurant on a budget requires planning. Look up the menu ahead of time so you get an idea of what things cost. If you really like a restaurant, sign up on line for discounts. We get 15-20% of coupons regularly in our inbox. This helps tremendously. Also, have you looked at restaurants.com ? You buy a $25 gift cert for $10 ($2 if you buy it before the 16th use the code BIG at check out) There is a minimum purchase usually of $35 required, so you’ll spend $20 for $35 worth of food. ($17 if you buy it in the next 3 days!!!! If you like the restaurants they have in your area, sign up for the meal of the month club. You get a $25 gift cert every month for the year for $120. If you use the code BIG, you get it for $24 so you can use the discount all year. Yay!) There are good deals everywhere, you just have to look, ask, and read the fine print.

Internet disclaimer : I have not been paid by any of these companies to promote their products. Although, if Bellini’s wants to give us a free brunch, or restaurant.com wants to kick in a gift cert, I wouldn’t turn it down.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 12, 2010

Nodlings

Next Post

August 15, 2010 Prayer Buddy Revealed

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Proverbs 31 describes the characteristics of a godly husband.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE