Eating Out with the Kids on a Budget

I'm no stranger to cooking meals and brown bagging lunches. Not only is it a healthier way to eat but, for a mom on a budget, it's been a great place to trim the spending fat. This summer I found myself knee deep in a new project and working a lot of extra hours. By the time I dragged myself in at night I was often too tired for cooking dinner. It wasn't long before dining out became a near nightly occurrence, to which my daughter did not object.

I was so busy with work I hadn't realized how much I was spending on meals until I sat down to tally up the receipts that had accumulated in my wallet. In just a handful of meals I had managed to spend what I usually budget for almost a month of groceries. I was floored. It was time to return to my budgeting basics.

Of course, my first step was to stop eating out immediately. This was not so difficult since my project is over and I'm back to a normal schedule. Even still, I recognize there will be those nights when a swim practice keeps us out late or leftovers are no longer appealing. For those times I have the following budget saver fallbacks.

One and a half for the price of one - Many of my local area restaurants have a 'Kids Eat Free' night. Tuesdays seem to be the most common night but I have found a couple Monday and Wednesday night takers. There are even a few restaurant chains that have gotten in on the deal. At IHOP kids eat free 4-9 pm Monday thru Friday with a paying adult. This is by far my most favorite 'free' spot during the winter months when I'm craving comfort food. For me there's nothing more comforting than breakfast for dinner. Lastly, although it's not a free, Picadilly offers a weekly .99 cent kids meal night. Even at a dollar, it's still almost two people eating for the price of one. Here's another tip to keeping the bill within budget, drink water. It's healthier and can save you anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 a person. IF you're a family of four you just saved yourself $12.

It's not all junk mail - If you're anything like me you loathe the mountain of unwanted circulars and welcome wagons that overflow the mailbox every week. Take heart, there is something worth digging thru the mountain of papers for: savings. There are tons of coupons with reduced prices and two-for-one specials to take advantage of, even at a fast food place. Since I never know what we'll be in the mood for I just pull out the fliers for the chains in the area and keep them in the car. If I use it, great! If not, I just replace it with the latest flyer that is guaranteed to show up in the mail next week.

Put it on the calendar - This is by far my favorite family meal budget saver because it's more than just an affordable meal. My daughter and I have a standing lunch date every other Saturday. Sometimes my mom comes along and we make it a girl's afternoon. I started our Saturday series on a pay week (I'm paid bi-weekly) so I account for our meal in my budget. It's always my daughter's pick, within budget of course. Not only is our lunch date a wonderful afternoon to look forward to, but just knowing that Saturday's coming makes it that much easier to skip the takeout during the week and pass the leftovers.