Pretty much everyone upped their spending on takeout food in 2020 – and for good reason. With restaurants closed for indoor dining and grocery stores experiencing unpredictable inventory issues, many consumers chose to order out for the majority of their meals, which in turn, supported their favorite local spots that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that things are slowly returning to normal, you may be wondering how to adjust your budget accordingly.
While it can appear difficult to nail down an exact budget for dine-in and takeout restaurant experiences, most financial experts recommend that your food budget account for 10 to 15 percent of your income. And, if you really want to get down to the nitty-gritty details of how much your spending, go through your bank account transactions for the past six months, and this will surely shock anyone into reforming their food budget! Looking for more ways to save? Here are 3 tips to save money, while ordering out from your favorite restaurants in Alpharetta, Georgia:
Pick up your food in person.
Everyone knows that delivery fees add a huge surcharge to your total bill, but you might not realize exactly how big the difference actually is. A New York Times article found that the same sandwich at Subway costs between 25 to 91 percent more when delivered, depending on the app. In other words, an order costing around 20 bucks could cost between 5 and 18 dollars more if you get it delivered. Not only is that a huge margin, but it also illustrates how much the app fees and driver tip really do add to the cost of your meal!
Look for specials online or elsewhere.
Plan your takeout and/or dining out plans around restaurant specials offered at various spots in your area. Follow restaurants on social media to see when they’re running specials, like 15 dollar specialty pies at your fave pizza joint on Sundays or half-priced oysters during Happy Hour. If you’re unable to find any helpful information online, simply call the restaurant or ask someone behind the counter if there are any worthwhile weekly deals. Restaurants often print coupon codes or discounts on their receipts, too!
Use a rewards credit card.
Many credit cards offer points or cashback when you dine in or take food-to-go. Look up the rewards policies for your current credit cards to see if any of these promotions can be applied to a card you already have. If not, consider opening a new credit card with these benefits – but only after confirming with your financial advisor that you’re in great financial health to do so! Whether you choose a local or big-name bank, you could earn rewards, like cashback, gift cards, or free delivery, by taking advantage of one of these programs!
Staying on top of your personal and professional life can be a challenge. At Woodhaven at Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia, we hope to make your daily routine a bit easier with tips and tricks that can be applied to every aspect of life.