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

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 ...

8 - Look for big savings coupons for fast food in the weekly mailers


This sounds a little obvious, but don't quickly discard those coupons from the various mailers that are sent to you each week without taking a look at them. Most coupons are for relatively small discounts like $1 off a meal deal, but some coupons can save you a lot more! One of my favorites is a Culver's Buy One, Get One Free Double Butterburger Deluxe! Using this coupon saves you $7.50 on two burgers!

Since I love Mushroom Swiss burgers, I've learned how to order these so the coupon still applies. (If you simply order two Mushroom Swiss burgers and try to use the coupon, they can't do it because of their POS system.) I order two Double Butterburger Deluxes, swap the American cheese for Swiss, and add mushrooms. Then, I decide if I want any of the standard toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mayo, pickles, etc. When I get my two burgers and only paid about $9.50 (the mushrooms are an additional charge on both burgers), I feel like I paid a reasonable amount for two delicious burgers, when normally I look at my check from Culver's and feel like I just got mugged!

Sometimes, I'll get fries or cheese curds with my meal, but potato chips at home are just as good and are much more reasonably priced! Regardless of the fast food chains you have in your area, consider looking through their coupons to see if there's a real winner in there or not. If not, you might still choose to use one of the other coupons and save a little bit of cash, which is better than nothing!

Additional Tips and Directions from AI: 

If you want to get the most out of those fast food coupons in your mail, here’s how to capitalize on savings anywhere in the U.S., not just in your local area:

Step-by-Step: How to Find and Use the Best Coupons

  1. Sort through your weekly mailers before recycling them. Look for “Buy One, Get One” or “2-for-$X” offers—these usually give the biggest dollar savings rather than percentage discounts.​
  2. Compare the deals side-by-side. Keep a small envelope or folder labeled “Dining Deals” so you can quickly find them later.
  3. Check expiration dates before heading out—many paper coupons are valid for up to 3–4 weeks, while app coupons may only last a few days.​
  4. Download each chain’s app (Culver’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, etc.). Almost all national chains now offer digital coupons or app‑only rewards for repeat orders.​
  5. Stack deals when allowed. For example, combine a BOGO mailer offer with rewards‑point redemptions or free‑item promotions inside the restaurant’s app.​
  6. Plan your stops when running errands—if you have coupons for multiple chains, map your route so you hit them efficiently or use them before they expire.

Nationwide Options

Even if you don’t get Culver’s coupons, local and national fast‑food chains like Burger King, Dairy Queen, Arby’s, and McDonald’s regularly include paper or app offers such as:

  • BOGO sandwiches or combo meals
  • Free fries or dessert with any entrĂ©e
  • $1 or $2 off premium burgers
  • Free delivery or bonus item through mobile ordering.​

Extra Tips for Maximum Savings

  • Join loyalty programs: Programs like Chick‑fil‑A One or McDonald’s Rewards often accumulate free food faster than traditional coupon clipping.
  • Use cash‑back apps: Upload your receipt to Fetch Rewards or Ibotta and earn extra points for restaurant meals.​
  • Watch seasonal windows: Around big events—like the Super Bowl, Halloween, or National Burger Day—chains release some of their best coupons and limited‑time offers.​
  • Customize like a pro: As your Culver’s example shows, ordering from the base menu and modifying items can keep coupons valid even when you want specialty toppings.
  • With a small amount of organization, these coupon habits can easily trim $20–$40 from your monthly food budget while still enjoying favorite meals on the go.


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