1) Eat Out Less
When it comes to saving money on food most people state the obvious - eat out less, and cook more at home. Don't get me wrong, this is often a great way to save money, but it also isn't for everyone. Eating out at nice restaurants or even getting fast food is something that most people really enjoy, and don't want to cut back on. So if you want to keep eating out and still save money, it is possible, you just have to find the best deals.
2) Daily Specials & Promotions
Most restaurants have daily specials or promotions that significantly reduce the cost of eating out. For example, you can order pizza from Dominos on a Tuesday and get a second one FREE. That's $15 for two large pizzas. BUT, if you ordered those same two pizzas on a Wednesday (at regular price) it would cost you double. Luckily there are great websites out there to help you find the best deals. Restaurant Daily Deals is one that includes the daily specials, promotions, and coupons for many national restaurants and fast food chains. You can search by day of the week, restaurant, or even by the food you're craving. Another great site is Smart Canucks which hosts a forum on deals and where users will also post coupons.
3) Coupons
Some people are turned off by coupons. They don't want to spend the time searching, clipping, carrying them around, and may worry about a hassle when they pay. But there have been amazing innovations when it comes to couponing. Now many places allow you to simply show the coupon on your phone - no clipping or printing required. To find great coupons you can check out Purple Monster Coupons or Save.ca
4) Money saving apps
If you have a smartphone you can download free apps like Checkout51 or Zweet which will send you weekly offers. Simply purchase one of the offers, take a picture of your receipt, and submit it using the app. Then just sit back and wait for your cheque!
5) Price Match
Similar to coupons, some people used to avoid price matching (took too much time, hassle etc.). But now thanks to apps like Flipp, you can simply search for the product you want, and the app will search all the flyers to help you find the best possible price. All you have to do is show the cashier on your phone.
6) Group Buy
Groupon and Wagjag are two great "group buy" websites. National and local restaurants will list vouchers or e-coupons at hugely discounted rates - often more than 50% off. Plus you will earn a credit when you make your first purchase, and earn further credits when you refer other customers. Again, using these sites often makes the cost of eating out roughly the same as cooking at home.
7) Discounted Gift Cards
You can buy discounted gift cards, at times more than 50% off using websites like Gift Card Granny. Users will post their used cards that they don't want any more, and you can scoop them up, often for far less than they are worth.
8) Earn Cash Back on Gift Cards
If you purchase a gift card for a restaurant you can often earn rewards for the purchase. With Air Miles for example, you earn points when you purchase a gift card for select retailers + get a bonus on your first purchase. Swagbucks is another one that allow you to earn points which you can redeem for more gift cards.
Hope you found this information helpful. And please send me your great money saving tips!
Kathleen
When it comes to saving money on food most people state the obvious - eat out less, and cook more at home. Don't get me wrong, this is often a great way to save money, but it also isn't for everyone. Eating out at nice restaurants or even getting fast food is something that most people really enjoy, and don't want to cut back on. So if you want to keep eating out and still save money, it is possible, you just have to find the best deals.
2) Daily Specials & Promotions
Most restaurants have daily specials or promotions that significantly reduce the cost of eating out. For example, you can order pizza from Dominos on a Tuesday and get a second one FREE. That's $15 for two large pizzas. BUT, if you ordered those same two pizzas on a Wednesday (at regular price) it would cost you double. Luckily there are great websites out there to help you find the best deals. Restaurant Daily Deals is one that includes the daily specials, promotions, and coupons for many national restaurants and fast food chains. You can search by day of the week, restaurant, or even by the food you're craving. Another great site is Smart Canucks which hosts a forum on deals and where users will also post coupons.
3) Coupons
Some people are turned off by coupons. They don't want to spend the time searching, clipping, carrying them around, and may worry about a hassle when they pay. But there have been amazing innovations when it comes to couponing. Now many places allow you to simply show the coupon on your phone - no clipping or printing required. To find great coupons you can check out Purple Monster Coupons or Save.ca
4) Money saving apps
If you have a smartphone you can download free apps like Checkout51 or Zweet which will send you weekly offers. Simply purchase one of the offers, take a picture of your receipt, and submit it using the app. Then just sit back and wait for your cheque!
5) Price Match
Similar to coupons, some people used to avoid price matching (took too much time, hassle etc.). But now thanks to apps like Flipp, you can simply search for the product you want, and the app will search all the flyers to help you find the best possible price. All you have to do is show the cashier on your phone.
6) Group Buy
Groupon and Wagjag are two great "group buy" websites. National and local restaurants will list vouchers or e-coupons at hugely discounted rates - often more than 50% off. Plus you will earn a credit when you make your first purchase, and earn further credits when you refer other customers. Again, using these sites often makes the cost of eating out roughly the same as cooking at home.
7) Discounted Gift Cards
You can buy discounted gift cards, at times more than 50% off using websites like Gift Card Granny. Users will post their used cards that they don't want any more, and you can scoop them up, often for far less than they are worth.
8) Earn Cash Back on Gift Cards
If you purchase a gift card for a restaurant you can often earn rewards for the purchase. With Air Miles for example, you earn points when you purchase a gift card for select retailers + get a bonus on your first purchase. Swagbucks is another one that allow you to earn points which you can redeem for more gift cards.
Hope you found this information helpful. And please send me your great money saving tips!
Kathleen
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