Dining on a Student Budget

Like most students, cash in hand is very limited, especially if you are still living off of an allowance at home. Many students like myself are living off of grants and student loans, while others work part-time with limited income potential. If you are too embarrassed to take a someone to Jack in the Box, and you’re on a strict budget, but you want to go some place more intimate than a coffee house, then I have the perfect idea for you that will save you big bucks.

Go to www.restaurant.com. From here, go to "Find Restaurants” to begin your search using the location you want to search through. Once you have found a restaurant that appeals to you and you want to make a purchase, register and await your certificates. Once you're registered, you'll be able to get even more discounts and future offers.

To illustrate how it works, select the area of Los Angeles, then select the city of San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena as your location. Next, select “Find Restaurants” and search through a list of types of restaurants. For example, you can purchase a $25 Dining certificate for Pasta Roma in Los Angeles for only $10 or purchase a $50 dining certificate for only $20! Confused yet? It’s very simple.

Why are restaurants doing this? This is really a simple formula and it’s all about getting customers in the door. If the restaurant is busy and filled with customers, there is a likelihood that more will follow, so they are willing to fill in seats by selling these discounted dining certificates. There are several businesses that promote their restaurant in this manner. One way is by saving you $$$. The only drawback is that you must plan ahead, maybe 3 to 5 days in advance. You purchase the dining certificates online and it’s delivered to your home. It may take a few days to get your certificates, but this is well worth it and you can buy as many as you like.

I did some research and there are currently 724 restaurants that promote their restaurants for the greater Los Angeles area. If your likes are for Italian food, there are 95 participating Italian restaurants. If your craving is Japanese, there are 20 participating restaurants and 22 Sushi restaurants. So where ever you live, there is something near you.

Going out to dinner doesn't always have to be from your microwave or from a fast food restaurant, so go out some place nice and have fun!

Happy dining!