Dinner is often the biggest meal of the day but it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. This week we have some tips to save while still having a hearty and satisfying meal. Whether you love to eat out or prefer to cook at home, we’re here to help you be cost efficient!
Bang For Your Buck
When you go out to eat, you should always try and get the most for your money. But you also shouldn’t fill up on appetizers. Try and resist the temptation of happy hour small plates before your meal. And skip the bread or chips. Instead, really enjoy your meal! But if you find yourself itching for apps, split your meal or get a smaller, inexpensive main.
If you can’t decide where to eat, research your options and see if any have deals or coupons. And if you’re stuck between a few different dishes, ask your server which is the largest serving. Get that and then take home the leftovers. Two meals for the price of one!
Be Versatile
While buying pre cooked food might seem like a waste of money, it can help you save in the long run. For example, a rotisserie chicken can transform into several different and delicious meals. Chicken legs on Monday, chicken salad on Tuesday, and Chicken soup on Wednesday! This is a great way to save time and make several easy meals.
It’s also much cheaper to buy things in bulk. You can make multiple meals rather than paying more for single servings. Buy a few pounds of meat and veggies and cook them all at the beginning of the week. Then you can use different seasonings on the leftovers. Voila, you have multiple dinners (or leftovers) for the week!
Less Is More
Using meat as the main attraction isn’t cheap. You can let meat take on a smaller role and save money with more veggies and carbs. A dish like bibimbap is a great example. With little bits of beef or chicken and tons of veggies, this meal is still filling but won’t set you back too much!
Using bacon for flavor on a dish like carbonara is another delicious way to save money on expensive proteins. And you certainly won’t leave hungry! Plus you can supplement your diet with cheaper proteins like eggs and beans.
BYOSalad
While prepackaged salads are tempting it’s a lot cheaper to make one yourself. Despite the convenience, these salads are overpriced and often don’t last long. You can usually make a salad with things that you already have or will use in other dishes.
It’s easy to throw some lettuce and veggies together and top it with a leftover protein. You can use spinach, arugula, peppers, and pretty much anything else you’ll throw in a salad for another meal. It’s easy to use leftovers in a fresh and delicious sauce too!
