<p>As a frugal girl, I sometimes get a bad rap. People assume I see spending money as a sin. They jump to the conclusion that I never do anything spontaneous or fun.</p>
<p>All of the above is far from the truth. In fact, I think being frugal means you live life to its fullest. After all the root word of frugal is frui which means to enjoy. Among one of my very favorite enjoyable pleasures is dining out.</p>
<p>As a busy mom, I marvel over the luxury that is a meal where someone else buys the food, prepares and then cleans up after it’s all done. What a fantastic experience to be enjoyed and treasured. However, I am of the opinion that you should do all you can to maximize your dollars when you dine out. After all, if you can save money when you eat at a restaurant, then you can use those extra dollars to eat at another restaurant (or save toward another amazing goal).</p>
<p>So each time you dine out, consider these strategies to save more money.</p>
<h4><strong>Take advantage of area special promotions</strong></h4>
<p>Burger Week, Pizza Week, Devour Indy, Tenderloin Week, Taco Week ← the greater Indianapolis area teems with rotating opportunities for you to save more money and try new restaurants. Familiarize yourself with the special offerings. Indy Burger Week features $5 burgers in restaurants all around the city and surrounding counties. Mark your calendar for June 25 – July 1 now. You can go to indyburgerweek.com to see which restaurants near you will be participating this year.</p>
<h4><strong>Know your restaurant</strong></h4>
<p>Many restaurants also run specials based on the day of the week. Sign up for eClubs of your favorites or follow them on social media to be in the know about these deals. It’s also smart to talk to your server or the manager of the restaurant to ask if they offer other specials. Some promotions run regularly, while others are seasonal.</p>
<h4><strong>Maximize rewards programs</strong></h4>
<p>Punch cards, apps and accounts anchored to your phone number certainly work as incentives to drive you into your favorite dining spots. Make sure to be a member if the restaurant you visit has a program. Many offer a special bonus simply for signing up or a freebie on your birthday. Even if you forget to scan your card or app, there’s likely a code on your receipt with instructions on how you can claim points for your purchase.</p>
<h4><strong>Plan when you will dine out</strong></h4>
<p>This last strategy is the key to keeping your dining out experience a luxury instead of transforming it into a chore. Rather than turning the pleasure of frequenting your favorite restaurants into a hurry scurry experience of indecision, put dining out on your weekly meal plan. Go as far as choosing which restaurant you will visit and maybe even what you will order when you get there. This simple action step prevents you from making a decision while you are tired and hungry. Match up your meal plan with your weekly calendar so you maximize dining out on nights when you’ll be too tired to cook or need to grab a quick bite to eat.</p>
<p>While eating at home is always more affordable, it’s not a bad thing to visit your favorite restaurants. There are plenty of other ways to keep your spending on track while you’re there, too. Choosing water to drink, splitting entrees and setting a cash budget can stretch your dollars further. Don’t fall mindlessly into the practice of constantly running through the drive through or being surprised by the total on your check. Enjoy each moment of a meal out instead.</p>
