--- title: 8 Tips for Cheap Meals Out description: How to eat out cheaply when you're on a budget. Tips include skipping the drinks and dessert, and looking out for coupons on Groupon and Facebook image: https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/bowl-breakfast-brunch-305972.jpg --- ![Top bar image](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Top%20bar%20image.jpg "Top bar image") ###### ![](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Tv.svg)Did you see us on TV? - [Click Here](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/debt-help) ![Close](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Close.svg "Close") [![Logo](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Beyond%20Debt%20black.png?width=560&height=128&name=Beyond%20Debt%20black.png "Logo")](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au) [![Logo](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Beyond%20Debt%20white.png?width=560&height=128&name=Beyond%20Debt%20white.png "Logo")](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au) #### [![Phone](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Button%20Copy.svg)**1300 284 091**](tel:1300%20284%20091) #### [![Phone](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Button%20Copy.svg)![](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Beyond%20Debt%20October2017/small-icon.svg)**1300 284 091**](tel:1300%20284%20091) [![Free Consultation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2583772/02eddd09-66a0-4e61-9e59-63ae64bfd94a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2583772/02eddd09-66a0-4e61-9e59-63ae64bfd94a) #### [1300 284 091](tel:1300%20284%20091) - ##### [Eliminate Debt](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/eliminate-debt) [## How to Get Out of Debt in 2026: The Australian's Step-by-Step Guide (And Free Budget Planner) ](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/take-control-of-your-debt) [Read Article](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/take-control-of-your-debt) - ###### [Affordable Living](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/affordable-living) - ###### [Everyday Expenses](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/everyday-expenses) - ###### [Handle Money](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/handle-money) # [8 Tips for Cheap Meals Out](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/eating-out-for-cheap) - ###### Kristin Perissinotto - ###### 19 May 2018 ###### LATEST ARTICLES - Affordable Living - Everyday Expenses - Handle Money [Back to blog](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog) - Share - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beyonddebt.com.au%2Fblog%2Feating-out-for-cheap) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beyonddebt.com.au%2Fblog%2Feating-out-for-cheap) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/eating-out-for-cheap) We all love going out for a meal on the weekend, or treating ourselves to take away after a particularly busy day. But a lot of the time it can cost us more than we'd think. Eating out doesn't have to be an expensive activity! We have compiled eight tips to help you stick to your budget when eating out. ![eat out cheap ](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/bowl-breakfast-brunch-305972.jpg?width=450&name=bowl-breakfast-brunch-305972.jpg) ## 1. Check Groupon Groupon has endless deals for endless restaurants, just search for what's available in your area! These deals can save you a fortune, and they're so easy to find! ## 2. Look on Facebook Lots of restaurants will post offers or deals on their social media pages, these can be anything from two-for-one packages, free drinks and desserts, or discounts. ![restaurant cheap food](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/chair-cutlery-diner-941861.jpg?width=450&name=chair-cutlery-diner-941861.jpg) ## 3. Skip the non-essentials Forgo a glass of wine or cup of coffee and just stick to water, and ignore the dessert menu! Just paying for once course will save you more than you might think. It's much cheaper to make coffee, dessert, and have a glass at wine at home. ## 4. Choose a buffet While they aren't as glamorous, a buffet meal will ensure you get the most bang for your buck! ![buffet cheap eat](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/abundance-baked-bakery-205961.jpg?width=450&name=abundance-baked-bakery-205961.jpg) ## 5. Sign up for loyalty programs If you find yourself frequenting the same restaurant or cafe time and time again, see if they have a loyalty program you can sign up for! This might mean a free meal every few months, or a percentage off whenever you dine. ## 6. Download apps Some restaurants or fast food joints will gift you a free side or a discount when you download the app. Scour the internet to see if your favourite place is one of them! Hint: try KFC! ![restaurant cheap](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/after-business-hours-architecture-bar-34650.jpg?width=450&name=after-business-hours-architecture-bar-34650.jpg) ## 7. Training restaurants These are unfortunately few and far between, but you might be lucky enough to have a training restaurant in your area. This is where apprentice chefs and kitchen staff will cook while learning the ropes, and will be a fraction of the price of a regular restaurant. ## 8. Share a meal You might have to have a snack before and after you go out, but a great way to get that dining out experience without spending big is to order one meal between two and share it. It's better than nothing!   ###### Ready to become debt free? #### Take the first step to a debt free future [Ready to become debt free?](https://info.beyonddebt.com.au/request-a-consultation) ### You might find these interesting - ##### [Affordable Living](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/affordable-living) ## [Lunch Ideas under $2](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/lunch-ideas-under-2) - ###### Ben Paris - ###### 07 Sep 2022 - ##### [Affordable Living](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/affordable-living) ## [What Really Makes You Happy?](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/what-really-makes-you-happy) - ###### Ben Paris - ###### 11 Nov 2021 - ##### [Affordable Living](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/topic/affordable-living) ## [What Can Debt Collectors do?](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/what-can-debt-collectors-do) - ###### Ben Paris - ###### 02 Sep 2021 - [Personal Finance Basics (126)](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/tag/personal-finance-basics) - [Handle Money (100)](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/tag/handle-money) - [Everyday Expenses (61)](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/tag/everyday-expenses) - [Affordable Living (50)](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/tag/affordable-living) - [Build Savings (33)](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/blog/tag/build-savings) ## Ready to become debt free? #### Speak with one of our specialists to start your future [![About Beyond Debt](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2583772/e771166e-724a-4461-9ee9-fd819c4c0fe2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2583772/e771166e-724a-4461-9ee9-fd819c4c0fe2) [![Get Help](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2583772/8ac6a951-8425-44d9-91d4-0928fca0084e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2583772/8ac6a951-8425-44d9-91d4-0928fca0084e) #### [![Phone](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Button%20Copy.svg)![](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hubfs/Beyond%20Debt%20October2017/small-icon.svg)**1300 284 091**](tel:1300%20284%20091) - ![Family-Owned-transparent-300x158](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/Family-Owned-transparent-300x158.png?width=115&name=Family-Owned-transparent-300x158.png) - ![pipa_logo_transparent_300w_100h](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets%202019/Images/pipa_logo_transparent_300w_100h.png?width=151&name=pipa_logo_transparent_300w_100h.png) - ![Feefo](https://www.beyonddebt.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Feefo.png?width=115&name=Feefo.png) ##### Debt Help ##### Company ##### Resources Beyond Debt is a trading name of DCS Group Aust Pty Ltd. 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