TIP: Eat Leftovers

Even on a budget, you can justify eating out if you can bring home your leftovers and make a second meal out of it. Most portions in restaurants are big enough for two meals. Granted, not everything reheats well. You have nothing to lose giving it a try because the restaurant is only going to throw out your leftovers anyway. Just don't leave the box on the table when you get up to leave!

The same principle works for home cooked meals. If the dinner you make for your family of four costs $12 and you get two additional meals out of it, divide $12 by 6 meals and the cost is just $2 per person.