Prepared convenience food options and food from restaurants can be quick and also enjoyable, but may also increase the amount of money that you spend on food. Think about how often you eat at restaurants or buy convenience food rather than prepare meals and snacks at home. What are some of your favorite foods to eat on the go?
Most of us enjoy eating out, and sometimes we need to buy ready-to-eat foods when we don’t have time to cook. Careful planning and budgeting can help you manage your food budget so that you can afford food away from home occasionally.
Here are a few ideas for saving money on food away from home:
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Budget: How much of your food budget can you afford to spend on food away from home each week? Knowing this can help you plan when you can go out.
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Coupons: Look for coupons or specials you find in the newspaper or online. Many restaurants offer coupons or loyalty discounts through their apps or on their websites.
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Avoid the “Super Sized”: Buy the regular size portions, or consider sharing a meal with another family member. Consider drinking water, or ordering the smallest sized beverage.
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Kids Meals: Order a kid’s meal for yourself. Portions are smaller and the price is too!
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Order the Main Dish Only: Buy carry-out for the main dish of a meal and prepare the rest of the meal at home. You could purchase a pre-baked whole chicken and add it to vegetables and a salad that you prepare at home.
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Save Some for Later: Many restaurant portions are large enough to divide in half. Eat half now, and enjoy the other half for lunch tomorrow. This will save money and calories, too.
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Healthy Snacking: Healthy snacking throughout the day keeps our hunger down so we don’t spend extra money on food because we are extra-hungry. Apples, chopped up vegetables (such as carrots), and granola bars all travel well and help us make choices that are better for our bodies and our wallets.
Here are some make-ahead convenience food ideas that you can take with you when you are on the go:
