How to Spend Less On Eating Out

June 28, 2016

We all know eating out less can save us money. It sounds easy but at times, it can be hard to execute, especially with late work days, kids’ activities and frankly, days where I would rather have a root canal than step foot in my kitchen to cook. If this sounds like you, here are ways you can have your budgeting cake and eat it too:

1. Set an “eating out” budget. I find eating out is such a big budget buster because like with a diet, most people have good intentions but cheat. Just accept the fact that you will eat out occasionally and budget an amount of money you will spend on it. It may be $10 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $10-20 for dinner as a starting point. Consider committing to brown bagging it four days out of the week and eat out with friends on Friday and/or on the weekend.

2. Come up with strategies to reduce your eating out costs. If you are the group organizer, you have the home court advantage. Choose a place that costs less. Even better, consider using websites like Groupon or Living Social to scope out coupons.

If you have a spouse or significant other, consider splitting a plate. You wallet and your waist line will thank you. Save money on drinks by drinking water. At $2 each, that is an $8 saving for a family of four and $416 over a year.

If you have kids, take advantage of kids eat free programs. If you have a family with hungry little ones, consider using websites like MyKidsEatFree.com or FrugalLivingTV to find programs. Plan out your day and look for places where kids can eat for free near you. Alternatively, this may be hard, but if you can get your kids to agree on the same meal, you can also have them split an adult meal.

3. Use grocery store prepared meals as a compromise. You are technically eating at home with a prepared meal. Stores like Whole Foods and Publix have fully prepared meals that you can heat up for a few minutes and have a meal with minimum kitchen time.

Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. Just remember that your cake has limits. Budget the amounts, plan your eating out days and enjoy!

6 Ways to Save on Holiday Get Togethers

December 20, 2013

The holiday season invariably presents a variety of ways to separate your money from your wallet. There’s entertainment like shows and concerts, gift giving for friends and loved ones, and let’s not forget about tipping and gratuity – you can’t forget your child’s teacher, your dry cleaner, or even your postman. Although you never want to look cheap, it is important to save money during the holidays wherever you can. Continue reading “6 Ways to Save on Holiday Get Togethers”

4 Ways to Trim Your Haircut Costs

August 20, 2013

I’ve just hung up the phone after calling my local hair salon to schedule an appointment with Michelle, my favorite stylist. Apparently, she’s not just my favorite – due to her popularity, she’s been promoted to an “elite stylist.” So what does that mean to me? Her prices have just gone up 20%. My cut, color, and highlights will now cost me $185 if I still want to work with her. Continue reading “4 Ways to Trim Your Haircut Costs”

6 Ways to Save on Your Thanksgiving Celebrations

November 14, 2012

Now that Halloween is behind us, it’s time to gear up financially for the holidays right around the corner, the first of which is Thanksgiving. It can be very easy to let costs spiral out of control when planning your Turkey Day feast – but remember, holiday shopping will be here before you know it. Continue reading “6 Ways to Save on Your Thanksgiving Celebrations”

Don’t Hate Your Customer Loyalty Program – Tips to Make Them Work For You Without Having to Endure a Million Annoying Emails

September 24, 2012

I am not sure why my friend Diane went off on a rant against loyalty discount programs and I am also not quite sure why she ranted to me. She knows I am a blogger so I think her comments are fair game to quote, especially since she emailed them to me – like at the police station how they take your fingerprints from the soda can to incriminate you because you drank it in public. I am using the same logic by publishing her comments. Here is what Diane had to say about customer loyalty programs: Continue reading “Don’t Hate Your Customer Loyalty Program – Tips to Make Them Work For You Without Having to Endure a Million Annoying Emails”

Loyalty has its Advantages: Savings

July 04, 2011

I read an Associated Press story today about a 100 year old woman from Bainbridge, Ohio who takes the cake for “extreme loyalty” because she has had the same bank account since 1913 when her father opened it for her. She still has her original passbook. Well, she is obviously not one to shop around for the best rates and jump ship when the grass was greener. I don’t know about you, but I am loyal to brand name products myself. I didn’t used to be, however, because I focused on price over quality. Continue reading “Loyalty has its Advantages: Savings”

Couponing: How to Double Your Savings with the “Rain Check”

June 20, 2011

There are some things you can always count on:

You’ll hit every traffic light when you are in a hurry.

You’ll be called on in a meeting on the only agenda item you are not prepared for.

Someone will show up at a party in your very same new dress.

And…the store will be sold out of the sale item you specifically came in for. Continue reading “Couponing: How to Double Your Savings with the “Rain Check””

Couponing 101: How to Get Expensive Stuff for Free

June 06, 2011

My husband hates it when I buy vitamins (well he used to). It is not that he doesn’t want us to be healthy and he is not a “purist” thinking you should get all of your vitamins from the food you eat. He just hates to pay for them since they are expensive and of course, he’s right, they are. So when I used to come home with a multi-vitamin pack and our Vitamin C, he wasn’t happy. Now, well it is another story. Since I am no longer a coupon snob, I now get my vitamins compliments of Walgreens or CVS with three added benefits – we are healthier, wealthier and happier (I bet you thought I was going to say “wiser”). Continue reading “Couponing 101: How to Get Expensive Stuff for Free”

Cash Management: Saving Money Without Sacrifice

May 30, 2011

Over the years, I have unknowingly wasted thousands of dollars at the grocery store and the pharmacy. If I knew then what I know now, I could have saved AT LEAST $1200 per year by using coupons. If you add that up over 25 years that I’ve been a financial planner, it makes me cringe. Those lost dollars will never come back; they are lost forever but I am just glad that I know now and certainly don’ t want anyone else making the same mistake. As a financial planner, I’ve always paid attention to the big things in my financial life—my training gave me a keen focus on making sure I had low fees and low interest rates on loans such as my mortgage and auto, managing my 401k for the optimal risk/return ratio, and to make sure my family was protected should something happen to me. I felt like carrying around a 50 cent coupon for a laundry detergent was a waste of time. Continue reading “Cash Management: Saving Money Without Sacrifice”

Coupons: Money Saver or Scam?

December 01, 2010

I’ve seen a lot of buzz recently about saving money by cutting coupons, and so I approached my wife with the idea and let me just say it wasn’t quite the reaction that I was expecting. I mean I figured there would be a little push back, but after 30+ minutes of heated discussion, I felt that I had to defend the holdouts to the coupon revolution (and thus regain my moniker as “The Rebel”). Now I confess, I don’t know exactly what is involved in “couponing,” but I’m pretty sure it has something to do with saving money, and that is what piqued my original support for the cause. So here’s how it went down: Continue reading “Coupons: Money Saver or Scam?”

Financial Education: Confessions of a Coupon Hater

November 29, 2010

Boy did I get an education. Have you ever had one of those experiences where you realize that you have based a huge aspect of your life on a lie? Well I guess that is a bit strong to say a lie but at least incorrect or wrong information? I suspect this happens to many people – especially to those who are introspective.

I thought coupons were a waste of time. My thinking went along these lines:

“Really? I am going to spend hours going through the Sunday paper to save 50 cents on a can of tuna? Is that really worth my time? It is a better use of my time to spend that hour working on a project to increase my income and enhance a bonus at work than to save 35 cents on a toothbrush.” Continue reading “Financial Education: Confessions of a Coupon Hater”