55 - The Calendar Strategy: How to Automate Your Dining Discounts (And Never Pay Full Price Again)

on
I recently did something a little crazy—but financially brilliant. During the holiday sales, I stocked up on restaurant gift cards. You know the ones: “Buy $100, Get $25 Free.” I bought them for my favorite local spots: the Irish pub around the corner, the pizza place we love on Fridays, and the nice steakhouse we save for special occasions. Mathematically, I was already winning. By getting $125 worth of food for $100, I had locked in an instant 20% discount on my future meals. But then I thought: How can I stretch this even further? The gift cards are great, but they are only one part of the equation. Most of these restaurants also offer weekly specials—Half-Price Burgers on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free Wednesdays, or Happy Hour appetizers. If I used my discounted gift cards only on nights when the food was also discounted, I wouldn’t just be saving 20%. I’d be saving 50%, 60%, or even 70% off the regular menu price. The problem? I can never remember which restaurant has the ...
0

7 - Going out to a restaurant? Study the menu online before you go.

on

 


I'm joining some friends tomorrow evening for a meal at Olive Garden. We get together all the time and always do separate checks (which is great for someone like me on a budget!). I'm sure I'll have a beer or two, which will cost whatever it costs, but my meal can be planned out right now to ensure that I get good value and don't get stuck with the biggest check at the end of the night!

I started by doing a search in Perplexity's Comet (an AI internet browser) for "Current Olive Garden Deals" and was simply directed to the Olive Garden website: https://www.olivegarden.com/specials. They have a few specials happening right now that I can order from and be very happy! My favorite things at Olive Garden include their soups, salads, breadsticks and pasta (I know, that's pretty much everything!). They have a fantastic deal right now that lets me get almost all of those things for $12.99! "Create your own pasta" includes unlimited breadsticks, unlimited soup OR salad, and a basic pasta entree where you choose the pasta shape and sauce. This will be the perfect meal for me, and will be cheaper than most of the entrees on the menu.

UPDATE: I ordered the "Create your own pasta" and got the breadsticks and soup. I ended up having three bowls of soup (I like their Zuppa Toscana and Chicken Gnocchi), more breadsticks than I wish to admit to, and I took the entire pasta dish home for lunch tomorrow! Our server even gave me three breadsticks to put into my to-go container! I also ordered a $6.00 "Take Home Entree," a cold Fettuccine Alfredo that I will add steamed broccoli and cajun grilled chicken to at home. There's enough there to make two large meals for me! The total bill with two beers, tax and tip was $40.00, but that includes FOUR very large meals! 

If you want to improve your cost per meal, you are allowed to order up to FIVE "Take Home Entrees." Consider getting a $6 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce or a $6 Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. Of course, drinking water instead of a couple beers will save a lot ($5 per beer meant that I spent $13 for two drinks with tax and tip). Finally, avoid having to pay a tip by getting your food to go! 


Additional Tips and Directions from AI:

If you want to make restaurant dining truly budget-friendly, planning ahead like this is key—no matter where you are in the U.S. Here’s how to get the most value every time you eat out with friends or family:

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare for Restaurant Savings

  • Review the menu online before you go. Look for sections labeled “specials,” “value meals,” or “combo deals.” National chains (Olive Garden, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Red Lobster, etc.) almost always list current promotions.
  • Use the restaurant’s website or app to check for coupons, happy hour pricing, and takeout/delivery discounts.
  • Choose your meal in advance to avoid impulse ordering. Compare prices and portion sizes—“create your own,” lunch combos, or unlimited options often give you more food for less money.
  • Consider “strategic splitting”: You can often order a meal designed for two or with endless soup/salad and share with a friend. (Check the restaurant’s sharing policies—most are fine with this if each person orders a drink or side.)
  • Take full advantage of any offer that lets you purchase discounted “Take Home” entrees. These often become two extra meals for less than the price of a single entrée.
  • If you want to avoid extra costs, order only water to drink. Beverages are where big markups hide—at $3–$5 each, soft drinks and beers add up even with a modest meal.
  • If you’d rather skip the tip, order carryout or curbside pickup online—many restaurants don’t require (or expect) the same tip for takeout, especially if you’re just picking up at the counter.

Nationwide Options and Extra Tips

  • Most major U.S. restaurant chains run quarterly special menus; for example, Olive Garden’s “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” and Applebee’s “2 for $xx” deals. Google “[restaurant name] specials” before you leave home—these deals change seasonally.
  • Join the chain’s loyalty program or sign up for email/text alerts for first-time signup coupons or a free birthday treat.
  • Calculate your cost per meal before ordering: Divide your total bill (excluding drinks, if desired) by how many real meals you’re getting, including take-home portions. This helps compare value between menu options!
  • If dining with a group, politely confirm you’ll be paying individually to manage your portion—and avoid “splitting evenly” when others are ordering big-ticket items.
  • With a little research and a plan, you can enjoy both the restaurant experience and leftovers, all while knowing exactly how much you’re spending per meal!

Comments

Post a Comment