As college students our lives revolve around money. The balance on your debit card usually plays a big role in determining what you will eat, what clothes you buy and whether you’ll be going out or not. But with a few money saving tips we will help give you a little more freedom in life while keeping a little more money in the bank.
Your wallet can be very limiting when it comes to eating out. Places like McDonalds and Wendy’s that offer dollar menus usually are at the top of your list. Fast food can be good, but sometimes you just need a break from this fattening diet for more quality foods. Yet with a few tips you can go to places like Longhorns and Red Lobster without overdrawing your bank account.
How? By joining email clubs. Yes it is that easy. Email clubs often get overlooked as being pesky and annoying. In actuality they are gold mines. It’s a great way to receive deals and coupons to your favorite restaurants. Plus, most places give you a welcome gift just for signing up. If you join IHOP’s “Pancake Revolution” they will email you a coupon for a pancake meal worth $7.99 or less. Macaroni Grill will send you a $5 off coupon for signing up for their email newsletter and Chili’s will send you a coupon for free chips and queso. You end up getting 18 dollars worth of food and all it cost you was your email.
Plus throughout the year you will get email updates on special offers and coupons. Many places ask for your birth date and will send you a coupon on your birthday. At Chili’s you receive a coupon for a free brownie sundae on your birthday. Some resturants offer rewards programs where you can earn points just for eating there. T.G.I. Friday’s offers a rewards program where you earn “stripes” every time you eat at Friday’s. All you have to do is give your server your rewards number and then you can redeem your “stripes” for free menu items. Plus when you join you automatically receive a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert.
These programs are a great way to save money and allow you to eat out a little more. So take a quick break from “studying” and see which of your favorite restaurants have email clubs. Sign up and you can be dining on free food in no time.