FabulousSavings.co.uk Blog
Archive for July 12th, 2010

• Jul 12

  Thorntons – 10% off orders over £20 ’til 7/18

  Cristina Comments Off

  When it comes to gifting, Thorntons helps you do it best. Whether you’re shopping for the child, executive, student, or special someone, you’ll find the perfect chocolate present to bring a smile to their face. But that’s not all; discover party favours for every occasion that you can personalise with a special message.

  Give the gift of decadence today and pay less with free Thorntons vouchers for 10% off when you spend £20 or more!
  
  
  Filed under: Vouchers
• Jul 12

  7 Tips for Dining on a Budget

  Lucky Comments Off

  Putting yourself on a strict budget is hard with all those temptations around. But even the tightest wads need to let loose and have a little fun every once in awhile!

  Being a foodie myself, I’ve tracked down some stellar tips for eating out on a budget. Remember, you don’t have to be extravagant to live a fabulous life!

  Here are 7 tips for dining on a budget:

  1. Don’t Judge A Book By The Cover. A restaurant doesn’t need glossy menus and an extravagant decor; it just needs to offer good food. Go exploring for family-owned spots in your neighbourhood. They’re usually within budget and have larger portions, too! Or keep your eyes peeled for a free house for some super home-cooked grub. One of my favourite restaurants of all time is a small and mildly trashy diner, and although I’ve never spent more than about £5 or £6 on a meal, the food is amazing.

     
     

  2. Prix Fixe & Table D’Hote. There’s a controversy surrounding these three course set price meals about whether the quality suffers. Personally, I love prix fixe. It’s a great opportunity to try dishes you may not otherwise be able to afford, and you know exactly how much the tab is going to be at the end.

  
  

  3. Eat Half. Paying £10 for dinner is painful, but for two meals it’s much easier to take. Restaurant portions are huge, so by only eating half you’re not only saving some for later, you’re saving calories. Ask the waiter to bring a carry-out container right away to resist temptation. Or better yet, bring your own to reduce waste. Just keep thinking to yourself how amazing your lunch tomorrow is going to be!

  
  

  4. Don’t Under Estimate the Power of Soup. Not many people think of soup as a main when they dine out (it’s so cheap!), but soup at a fancy restaurant can be a meal in itself! Those in the biz actually say soup is one of the hardest items to perfect, so when you get a delicious bowl of soup, you’re actually eating a true masterpiece.

  
  

  5. Skip the Booze & Dessert. These extras are usually something you have hiding in your pantry at home, plus they’re extra calories and can bulge your bill by a good £10. Stick with water, and if you’re craving sweets at home, go ahead and dig into that carton of ice cream.

  
  

  6. Share Appetizers. Instead of everyone buying one expensive entree each, order just a few appetizers for the table. That way you get a little bit of everything, plus appetizers are usually meal size anyway. But beware, this only works when you can trust your friend to foot in for the bill. If not…

  
  

  7. Get Separate Bills. Being responsible for your own food avoids the horror of coughing up cash for someone who has suddenly “forgotten” their wallet or “seem to be a little short”, because that’s happened to us all. But with separate bills? Not your problem. And you can walk home with a full belly and a smile on your face.

  
  

  Some people think that dining on a budget means fast food. Not so! It doesn’t take much to cut a few corners, just a little creativity and a few helpful tips.

  
  

  What’s your favourite budget hotspot? We’d all love to hear about it!
  
  
  Filed under: Frugal Tips