8 Tips for Eating on the Cheap in College

If you’re a starving college student on a budget and need to save some money on your next restaurant visit, read up. Making these smart choices will keep more cash in your pocket when you’re out to eat at fast-food joints, sit-down restaurants, taverns and even upscale places.

1.) Skip the soda and order water instead.
I know, I know. Lots of us think water is tasteless and boring, but you’re not going to curl up and die if you drink it instead of a soda every now and then. Save some cash and take in less calories at the same time by opting for a cup of water instead of a soda at your favorite restaurants. A little lemon will spruce up the flavor, and you’ll save anywhere from $1 to $3 a meal by forgoing your usual Dr. Pepper or Coke.

2.) Stick with restaurants where you don’t have to tip.
From cafeteria-style restaurants and buffets to delis to drive-thru windows, it’s better to hit up places where tipping is not expected when you’re on a budget. Not only do these restaurants tend to be cheaper, but you don’t have to shell out additional dough. Instead of ordering pizza to your apartment, go pick it up yourself. (Note: Coffee shop cafes are not included in this list! Anyone who’s ever worked at a coffee shop knows you should tip your barista!)

3.) Split meals with a buddy.
If everyone goes to a restaurant and orders something for themselves, chances are there will be a lot of food left over on the table unless you all happen to be heavy eaters. Instead of ordering an individual meal, split a larger meal with a friend and enjoy the savings.

4.) Order an appetizer instead of an entre.
Have you seen the size of appetizers at restaurants these days? They can easily fill you up all by themselves and they’re usually quite a bit cheaper than entres.

5.) Go out for lunch or breakfast, rather than dinner.
Dinner portions at restaurants tend to be larger, and therefore more expensive. Breakfast meals and lunch portions are almost always cheaper.

6.) Go out on a weekday, instead of a weekend.
To draw in customers during the slower times of the week, many restaurants offer reduced price meals and other specials to draw people in.

7.) Use a coupon.
The Sunday newspaper doesn’t just have coupons for grocery items. More often than not, it has coupons for restaurants as well. From free desserts to free drinks to $5 off your meal deals, clipping these coupons can be worth your while.

8.) Order off the dollar menu.
You can get pretty good stuff off the value or dollar menu at fast-food restaurants. Sometimes, getting two or three items off the dollar menu will still cost less than a full meal and fill you up just as much.
By-line:
This guest contribution was submitted by Lenore Holditch, who specializes in writing about top online colleges . Questions and comments can be sent to: holditch.lenore @ gmail.com.

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