Do you love going out to eat?

So many Americans love going out to eat. I have heard by lots of viewers that they are not willing to sacrifice going out to eat. Many due to exhaustion of working a full days work. Here are some tips on keeping your out to eat expenses down.
1. Look at your local restaurants and see what day they offer for the kids to eat free. Make a list you can keep in your purse for those exhausted days.
2. Keep the local flyer's on coupons on restaurants. Many times there are good deals for the family. Keep a little folder and put it in the car you frequently use.
3. If your not tired of fast food restaurants, like McDonald's, etc. Use the dollar menu! A family of 4 can eat for about $8.
4. Drink water when out to eat... This is the most expensive item on most restaurant menus. On average it only cost the restaurant 28 cents for the cup and 3 cents for the soda. So when you pay $1.99 for a drink. Your giving them a huge profit. A drink at a restaurant cost more than a 2 liter at Wal-mart.
5. Use www.restaurants.com to get a gift card cheaper for a restaurant
6. Keep a cash system on how much you are going to spend in a week or month on restaurants. When your out of money, thats its... Don't spend anymore!
7. If you love to eat really expensive ask for a gift cards to that restaurant for Christmas or birthdays. This will help off set the cost to you.
8. Get on the restaurants email list. Many times they send coupons over email (Zios is very good at this)
9. Plan ahead if you know you go out to eat on Sundays because of church and the time crunch. Make a crock pot meal Saturday that you can just plug in before you leave for church. Learn your schedule!
10. Look for free items! For veterans day Applebees, Golden Corral, Hy-vee offer free meals. Also for firefighters on firefighters day Baskin Robbins offer free ice cream to all.
11. See if the company you work for offers deals for using corporate savings. For example Sprint has a website all employees can use for deals. Are bank also does this.
12. Eat lunch instead of supper. Huge savings! Some times the same meal is $2 more for supper than at lunch.
13. Share meals with your spouse. Get an appetizer and one meal. This is usually filling enough to get you home!
14. Keep a goodie bag in your car if you travel a lot or have sports events... This will allow you to make it home to make a meal if you prefer to eat at home.
15. If your not to hungry, and have kids with you at a nice restaurant order a kids meal. This is usually cheaper. Check the prices though!

Do you know where every dollar goes?

If you do awesome Job!!! Make sure to follow the good ole' budget. Yes I said budget. I know most people hate this word, but it works. Sit down figure out what you want to spend on each item, and what you are spending. Do not cut it all at once! That is a disaster waiting to happen, you will certainly fail. That can make all parties feel frustrated! Label items from clothing, to food, restaurants, etc. I personally pull out everything I can in cash. This keeps me from spending money I do not have! I am tired of giving Visa, Master Card my hard earned money arent you? Whether you right it out on paper or for the nerd, use an excel spreadsheet.. (That is what I call my husband, so please don't be offended) There are also things like quicken to help you keep a closer track on your money. Find what works for you! Debit cards can be a bad thing when you do not realize how much money you are spending! Pay attention, right it out... You can make financial goals of where you want to be in the future this may help you stay on track. Happy Tracking Your Money!