Archive for November, 2008
Eating out is nice - How to do so frugally - 8 tips
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We all deserve a meal out from time to time, but it sure can be expensive, and nothing ruins the experience for me like getting a big bill at the end! Here are some tips to enjoy a dish out the frugal way.
- No alcohol, opt for water - A couple of alcoholic drinks can cost as much as an entire entree, and cloud your frugal mind. While not quite the same amount of cost-impact, colas and juice will add a few dollars to your bill as well.
- It’s more romantic to share - The portion sizes at many restaurants are at least twice of what we should be eating. Pick out an item to share with your honey, and ask for two plates, or try to be the lady and the tramp…
- Say no to dessert - Save money and fit into your pants! It’s a win-win situation. Skip the empty dessert calories and go for an after-dinner evening walk instead.
- Look at only the five cheapest items on the menu - Narrow down the menu to the five least expensive items, and then choose the one that is most appetizing. Still a great selection if you are not a picky eater.
- Lunch is best - In an effort to bring in customers during this less busy time of day, many restaurants offer lunch specials. This often means great deals on some delicious meals.
- Order Pasta - This one is easy if you, like me, are a pasta lover. Pasta dishes usually aren’t very expensive (unless you mix in some lobster), and are exceptionally filling - leaving lots of take home for tomorrow.
- Try a vegetarian dish - Okay, for some of you this is an automatic no, but if you are not set on having a meat dish, vegetarian options are less expensive.
- Bring home your leftovers - Enjoy your meal, but don’t forget to ask for a takeout container for anything leftover. If ordering meat, even small amount can spice up rice or pasta the next day.
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Frugal Book Review - The Complete Tightwad Gazette - Amy Dacyczyn
There are varying degrees of frugality out there, and author Amy Dacyczyn is certainly on the more extreme end of the scale. Her spirit of frugality will inspire readers to try some new money-saving ideas, and also think twice about how they do things already.
One aspect of the Tightwad Gazette that I particularly enjoy, is the personal and at times even witty tone it is written in. For a book about saving money and doing things the cheap way, the Tightwad Gazette has a definite entertaining quality, which will keep readers coming back to it.
Now, let’s not forget the recipes! (I personally recommend all to try her Cuban Bread recipe). Amy Dacycyzn firmly believes in cooking from scratch, and doing so cheaply to boot. While those of us with busy schedules often find this a daunting task, myself included, it’s in our society’s best interest to realize that refraining from buying prepackged foods filled with artificial ingredients not only saves money, but benefits our health.
Though perhaps not intended at the time, a great deal of Amy’s tips are good for the earth as well as our wallets - such as reusing plastic baggies instead of throwing them out, or using cloth diapers for your baby. These ideas save money and help the environment, which is a theme close to my heart.
This book gets my thumbs up. Find it at your local library, or buy your own copy here.