Small Ideas For Big Savings On Family Meals

You can save a tremendous amount of both time and money by making "freezer meals." You can usually make two or three meals' worth of food in about the same time it takes you to make one, saving on both the cost of ingredients and preparation time.

For example, try making three lasagnas instead of one. Then eat one that night, putting the other two in the freezer for later in the month.

As far as eating out is concerned, you need to think creatively. In most places in the U.S., lunch runs one-half to two-thirds of the price of dinner at the same restaurant. So consider scheduling a date for lunch instead of dinner (or maybe a very early dinner, squeezing in before 5 pm, when lunch-hour rates still apply).

Another trick, which will work with some restaurants, is to contact the headquarters of your favorite chain restaurants and let them know you'd be interested in serving as a "mystery shopper" or patron.

This refers to someone engaged by management to go in and eat at their restaurant for the purpose of giving them a customer's-eye-view of the food and service. You have to write a little report afterward but you get to eat for free (often with friends or family) and might even get a small payment on top of that.

Today's tip provided by our sister site FamilyCorner.com 

 

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