Occasionally my husband I and enjoy going out to eat. We decide in advance which restaurant we would like to visit, and then I do a little bit of work in finding a coupon. Today I would like to share with you more of my money saving strategies.
• I always look through Sunday paper and coupon certs for restaurant coupons. Many times there is a coupon for $X dollars off your meal or buy one entrée, get one free coupon (my personal favorite). Even if the coupon is for only $5 dollars of two entrees, I still use it…every little bit adds up.
• After dining out, I always look at the bottom of our receipt. More often that you would think, companies will give you a coupon code if you call and share about your dinning experience. Taking advantage of these offers is always a must for me. It only takes a few minutes to share my dining experience with an automated machine and in return I get a coupon code to use if off my next meal. My all time favorite was $7 dollars of two entrees for Macaroni Grill. And did I ever mention that they have the worlds’ greatest Tiramisu?!
• Sometimes I e-mail restaurants directly and had success with Ryan’s sending me coupons in the mail. Before my mom’s visit for Christmas, I decided to spend a few minutes e-mailing companies asking if they had coupons that I could use. To my surprise, I received a letter in the mail from Ryan’s (all you can eat buffet, my mom’s favorite place to eat). In my e-mail I shared a funny story about telling my dad upon return from the US about an amazing restaurant that all you had to pay for is a plate and eat all you want. In return my dad looked at me and said, “Well, can you bring your own plate and eat at the restaurant for free?” After sharing this story we received 6 coupons for free meals. I made sure to take a picture of my mom with a plate at Ryan’s and send it back to the representative who was very kind to bless us with free passes. She responded back letting me know how much the picture has brightened her day.
• Ask a waiter if the restaurant gives out loyalty cards. Our local Mexican restaurant punches stamps a card every time we eat there. After 7 stamps, we enjoy a free meal. And to me free has always tasted good.
• Sign up for e-mail updates from your favorite restaurants. Most likely you will receive a coupon on your birthday for a free meal or a dessert. On my Birthday, I received a coupon from Fatz for a free meal with a purchase of another meal. Sometimes through the year I receive more coupons for $x dollars off the meal, encouraging me to visit the restaurant for a dinner.
I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite money saving trick on dinning out?
You are so creative---I love the story about the letter you wrote to Ryan's. What a great idea! The only letters I've written or phone calls I've made to companies have tended to be complaints. I guess I need to let them know about good experiences, too!
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