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How to Dine Out On A Budget
Date : 2018-01-31
Pretty much everyone likes to go out to eat. The challenging part is finding somewhere everyone can agree on, and afford. Millennials are the first generation to spend more eating out than at the grocery store. Elders of today see it as laziness, but millennials prefer the term time-efficient. The demand for convenient, fast meals continues to grow, and as it does, finding frugal ways to eat out becomes increasingly important. Use this guide and you’ll know where to go, when to go, and what to order.
Browse the menu beforehand
This will take away from the element of surprise, but for your wallet’s sake, do it anyway. Find a few different similar menus to compare price and selection (always check out daily deals and happy hours too). Keep in mind that sometimes appetizers are full-sized portions, just cheaper. Pay close attention to menus that list their daily specials. If you can hold out another day for a better deal, do it!
Go at the best time
Most places will have a different, cheaper menu for lunch than for dinner. Save a few bucks by hitting the fancier restaurants at lunch, or by comparing happy hour prices. When considering the best time to go, remember that saving cash isn’t the only important factor here. Use the restaurant’s knowledge panel on Google to predict popularity by the hour. If you are going at a popular time, plan ahead and use the restaurant’s recommended app to place yourself in line for a table.
Become a member
Some companies participate in a loyalty program, mostly chains. Whether you’re racking up points for free food, or receiving special discounts on your birthday, it’s worth a few spam emails. Or, just unsubscribe from the restaurant newsletter and other promotions that don’t matter to you.
Hit buffets or share large plates
Buffets are perfect for people who eat big portions. If you have troubles finishing one plate of food, a buffet may not be the best option. If you tend to always have leftovers when dining out, consider ordering larger portions to share. This saves cash, minimizes food waste, and is perfect for kids. Three children to one adult-sized meal usually works great.
Pregame and post-game
The easiest way to save is to drink cheap. Water is the healthiest choice, and you came here for the food so wait to have a drink from your reasonably-priced bottle at home. If you can hold out, save dessert for later. If you’re craving something sweet, ice cream and other treats are usually cheaper at different locations than the restaurant. Plus, this allows you to extend the experience between two locations.
Find demographic deals
This won’t work for everyone, but if you apply, ask the restaurant for a student, military or senior discount. Some restaurants even feed kids for free. If they don’t offer a regular discount for specific demographics, check if the restaurant hosts specific deal nights for students, vets, or seniors.
Use apps to find deals near you
Finding local deals is easy if you have the right coupon apps. Groupon offers an app version of its deals. Always check if a restaurant has an app specifically designed for their location. If they do, they are likely to offer those with the app exclusive deals.
Use city-specific Groupon pages
These deals aren’t free, but they are heavily discounted. Choose the page designed for whatever city you may be visiting and save half off or more at dozens of restaurants near you. For example, if you are visiting in Texas and try checking out the Things To Do In San Antonio page while you’re there. You can potentially save up to 50 percent on each meal. Start by familiarizing yourself with the page created for whichever city or town you live in, then experiment with it when traveling.
Earn gift cards on survey websites
There are tons of spam email holes to fall into here, so be cautious of this. For newbies, I suggest trying Survey Junkie or OpinionOutpost. The surveys aren’t too long, and the gift cards are always at really universal places like Walmart or Amazon.
Choose restaurants where tipping isn’t expected
There are dozens of places to eat where you order at the counter. Most of these places don’t even have a tip jar. Some do, but it’s not expected. Please be careful with this one. If you are waited on by a staff, be a reasonable tipper. This is not the time to be frugal.
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Most of the time eating out will be more costly than savvy grocery shopping and cooking at home, but we all deserve a break from the kitchen here and there. Even for those who consistently eat out, frugality is still an option. Use these tips to put your budgeting conscience at ease, and enjoy your meal!
Must-Do Palm Springs Road Trips
Date : 2018-03-08
Driving in Palm Springs, CA is unlike driving in any other city. The relaxing drive features remarkable views that will certainly take your breath away. Additionally, a cruise through the heart of Palm Springs will bring excitement and relaxation. Make Palm Springs your permanent home and gain the privilege of commuting on these roads daily.
\r\n\r\nPalm Springs roads are complementary to the pleasant drive. The easy-going ride features simple roads and relaxing views along the way. The ideal commute around Palm Springs includes several details regarding your vehicle. These details can make or break this commute. A car that tailors to your comfort is ideal, since commuters spend a large amount of time within the vehicle. This may mean different things to different drivers, but a smooth ride is something that everyone can appreciate. If you are living in Palm Springs, road trips will be a must. In order to save the most amount of money, while driving frequently you will want to find a car that is fuel-efficient.
\r\n\r\nPalm Springs sits about two hours from both San Diego and Los Angeles, which sets up for some fantastic road trips. The drive from Palm Springs to San Diego features excitement along the way. The Temecula Valley Wine Country is a necessary stop, in which you can enjoy quality wineries in a relaxing resort. Another must-see spot is the Anza-Borrego Desert SP. This unique area was recognized as the International Dark Sky Park, which means that it has little to no light pollution. The stargazing is incomparable to anything and is definitely a stop you will want to make.
\r\n\r\nA four-hour drive from Palm Springs is Las Vegas, NV. This drive not only has a great starting and ending location, but there is excitement all along the way. This drive is so exceptional, you should plan on a weekend to ensure you can see everything in between. The detailed plan for this road trip has been mapped out here. Following the directions provided, require you to spend more days on the road, but lots of time exploring off the road. There are exceptional stopping points that are suggested, as well as restaurants and places to grab a drink at the end of the night.
\r\n\r\nEssential to every drive, no matter the duration, is quality music. Artists sing about lots of places, but it feels as though California is a hot topic in popular music. As you drive through Palm Springs, listen to music about the Golden State. Get your playlist started with the songs suggested in this Buzzfeed article.
\r\n\r\nA quick drive to the Palm Springs Windmill tour will provide unique, yet exciting information. During this two-hour tour, you will have the chance to view windmills at work, up close, and visit solar and natural gas facilities. Knowledgeable individuals, who are passionate about what they do, guide this tour. It is a fantastic learning experience and is enjoyable.
\r\n\r\nIn the heart of Palm Springs is Palm Canyon Drive; this is an excellent location to find shops, galleries, restaurants, and other attractions. Palm Springs Art Museum is a wonderful stop along this road. The current exhibitions will take your breath away. There are several California Cuisine Restaurants along this road. The shops are excellent for an excursion for both male and female shoppers. For a detailed list of places to go along this drive visit Palm Canyon Drive’s website.
\r\n\r\nAligning Palm Canyon Drive are picturesque palm trees. Palms to pines is an intriguing drive that is a must see. This illustrates a side of Southern California that is very different. This drive is exactly what it sounds like; you will witness the gorgeous palm trees turn to alluring pine trees. Joshua Tree National Park is an excellent place to drive through and see parts of it for the day, or spend some time camping in it. Displayed along this entire park is a satisfying backdrop of red, orange, and brown far and wide. The wildlife in this park is incredible and there are so many different things hikers can see.
\r\n\r\nThe Tahquitz Canyons in Palm Beach are available for hiking and remarkable viewing opportunities. The culturally sensitive area is famous for a 60-foot waterfall, rock art, and enticing wildlife. This area is home to the Cahuilla Indians and has been for quite a while. The Tahquitz Canyons are a unique area of land and are a destination worth stopping for.
\r\n\r\nPalm Springs, CA is a beautiful city to drive through with intriguing views and excellent suburban areas. Nature meets culture and civilization in Palm Springs with an astonishing clash. This area of California is unlike any other piece of land. Driving in Palm Springs will prove to be incredible and will become something that drivers and passengers will want to be a part of every single day.
5 Ways to Save Money When Getting Fit
Date : 2019-02-21
