Practice ordering in advance
Social media discounts
ecome a fan of local restaurants and chains on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and check in with them on Foursquare when you visit. Many places offer discounts to those who have liked their page where they offer daily deals, give points to returning customers and reward you when you tag them on social media platforms. You can link your Foursquare to your Twitter and Facebook for additional exposure and discounts. I personally have received up to 20 percent off my meal when using Foursquare to check in at my local coffee shop. ¡Dale un LIKE!
Descuentos? Just ask, sin pena
Don’t be afraid to ask! Through the years I’ve gotten better at asking and oftentimes it pays off! Many restaurants have discounts for teachers, military, AAA members, frequent buyer or loyalty cards and other affiliations. ¡Sin pena!
Skip the tip
Skip the tip (well sort of). Always tip for good service, but consider heading out to local restaurants where you go up to the register to place your order instead of being waited on. Chains such as Chipotle, Subway and Panera Bread offer a wonderful selection of food both healthy and convenient without having to leave a tip. This can save you up to 20 percent off the cost of eating out as a family.
Share meals with your niños
Ordering the kids meal does not always mean it’s less expensive. See what’s offered—does it include the drink and dessert, or are those separate? I tend to get my son milk or juice and my husband and I give him a part of our dinner on a separate plate. Ask for a smaller plate and take out a portion. Kids also don’t eat everything and I’ve often ended up wasting way too much on meals out that he doesn’t finish. Even if a restaurant charges a plate sharing fee, you may still be able to feed the kids cheaper by sharing.
Coupons galore
I’m not a couponer, but when you can save with just a few clicks or with loyalty apps on your smartphone, then why not? I found printable restaurant coupons on the Mommy Saves Big blog or restaurant.com to be great resources with links and coupons directly to the restaurant or chain of your choice such as Bertucci’s, Boston Market and Olive Garden, just to name a few! You can also check Spanish-language couponing and savings blogs for deals, such as Cuponeando or Ahorros Para Mamá.
Survey discounts
¡Dale tu opinión! Tell them what you think. It may be somewhat annoying if you’ve got the chamacos in tow, but just by filling out a quick survey of their services or your customer service experience, you can often get a discount for your meal or a reduced rate for your next visit. Most are done online at home and offers can be a percentage off, free meal for one guest or free appetizer or dessert.
