I will start this blog by saying that I assume you know and understand how a budget works. If you do not, check back periodically because I plan on putting together a series on budgets: how to create one (and how not to create one) and how to use the budget once you create your own.
Going back to the topic...
I was sitting at a meeting discussing the...well... campervan as it was my most recent experience. I was talking about how it saved us at least $40-$50 each time we did not have to go to a restaurant to buy a meal for a family of 5. A friend looked at me in disbelief. She kept looking at me and I felt so self-conscious. I thought... I know $40 to $50 on a meal is so expensive but when you travel and you have no other choice that is how much feeding 5 people costs in our family because I just do not like fast food and tax and tip adds up. In fact, fast food is not that cheap either. Then, my friend finally speaks and says - "How in the world can you get out of a restaurant feeding a family of 5 and pay only $40-$50? What restaurant is that."
You see, our family likes to eat out. That is one of our biggest vices. So, I try to make it happen for us by using coupons and cost saving strategies to fund this vice. For example, earlier this year we went to Universal Studios while we were doing a "staycation." After Universal, since it was our "vacation" I wanted to take the kids to eat at a nicer restaurant than a hot dog stand. We went to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at the City Walk. Not only was the food unimpressive, the bill was ridiculous considering our order consisted of two pasta dishes, a pizza, and a salad. I knew I could do better with a little bit of planning and strategizing.
EXAMPLE USING GROUPON
Before our next visit to Universal Studios I looked on Groupon and Restaurant.com to see what restaurant coupons were available. Groupon was featuring Samba all you can eat (AYCE) Brazilian BBQ. I had mentally noted that there was a Samba the last time we were at Universal Studios along with the other restaurants my family (basically my husband, my kids and I are pretty easy going) would enjoy. I purchased one groupon for 2 adults for dinner at Samba at Universal City Walk. Also, I had recalled seeing a Jamba Juice email offering a BOGO (buy 1 get 1 free) so I printed several copies of that coupon and we went to Universal. Of course we stopped by the local store and stocked up on "special snacks" the kind that the kids don't get to eat at home. I also took along 4 regular sized bottles of frozen water I had put in the freezer the night before. These waters would keep the rest of our drinks cold and, by the end of the day, they will have melted so that we can drink them. (I generally do not buy ice. I have found frozen water to be a nice ice substitute and it allows you to save on space and effort [you have less to carry] because that same frozen water bottle, once it begins to melt, is drinkable.)
After Universal Studios, we walked over to Jamba Juice and we bought a nice icy treat for the boys and let them unwind a little before heading to our reservation at Samba. Then, between the groupon (which was essentially a bogo) and 2 kid's priced meals (the baby is still free at most places), our family of 5 was able to leave the restaurant paying a price equivalent to a 2 adult meal. (Having said that, we always tip on what would have been the full amount as the discount did not magically reduce the server's workload.)
EXAMPLE USING RESTAURANT.COM
I purchase restaurant.com vouchers for restaurants I know we will be visiting. When I purchase the restaurant.com voucher, I search for a current promotional code so that what I actually end up paying is 10% to 20% of the restaurant.com voucher amount. For example, a typical $25 restaurant.com voucher costs $10. With the right promo code, I end up only paying $1 (10% of $10) or $2 (20% of $10) for the $25 voucher. The $25 voucher typically requires a $35 to $50 minimum purchase. Even if the required minimum purchase is $50, I am actually only spending $2 (for the first $25) and then another $25. In total, my entire purchase is only $27. Tax and gratuity on the full amount is $14.50 (assuming 20% tip and 9% tax). Thus, I walk out the door having only spent $41.50 which includes the tax and tip. Now, try comparing the amount you spend at a McDonalds for a family of 5, without the service and the quality of food, and you will find that the price is comparable. Just so that you understand where I am coming from, my 2 year old can eat and has eaten 2 hot dogs (I am not saying that is his regular diet, it is just an example. The pediatrician says he is the perfect size, not underweight or obese, so I guess his little body needs the calories.) My eldest (8 year old) has been ordering from the grown up menu and eating grown-up sized meals since he was 6.
WHEN THE RESTAURANT YOU WANT TO GO IS NOT ON GROUPON OR RESTAURANT.COM
We have 2 restaurants that we really enjoy but I have never seen them on either of the two sites above. One is McCormick & Schmick's. The other is Lucille's BBQ. Since neither participate on Groupon or Restaurant.com, what I have done in the past is purchase a Costco gift cards to give myself an instant discount. McCormick's usually costs $79 for a $100 gift card. Then, I take it to their happy hour. Now, not only am I saving because of their typical happy hour discounts, I have given myself an additional (approximate) 20% discount on their already fabulous happy hour prices.
The other restaurant we enjoy is Lucille's BBQ. When we go to Lucille's it is for their regular meals. The easiest and no-fuss "standard" way we go is by using the gift card system mentioned above. Now, when I have the time, energy, and inclination, I sometimes do a quick search to see if there are any additional coupons out there to stack my savings. That is bonus.
Planning and thinking things through really helps to keep us within budget and allows us to enjoy much more.
I hope my blog is helpful. I keep wondering if people are reading this and thinking...no duh, this is so obvious.
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