Money Management International Releases Frugal Foodie Guide

Free eBook: Cheap Eats

HOUSTON, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saving money on food doesn't have to be hard work. Simple changes in the way consumers plan, shop, and eat can help reduce the amount they're spending without cutting back on the quantity or quality of the food they love. Cheap Eats, a free eBook created by the educators at Money Management International (MMI), aims to help consumers make the most of their money when dining out, grocery shopping, and entertaining.

Dining out has become one of America's favorite pastimes. In fact, Americans spend more than $555 billion a year on food away from home. Cheap Eats offers the following tips to those who love to dine out but are on a shoestring budget.

• Turn going out to eat into a treat, not a necessity. That way, going out to eat will feel like a reward for all those times you saved money by cooking at home.
• Share an entree. With portion sizes having increased considerably over the last decade, the amount of food set in front of us is growing almost as fast as the price. Sharing a meal allows you to cut costs and keeps you from eating too many calories.
• Water flows free. Drink water because it is a free and healthy alternative to sugary sodas and pricey alcoholic drinks. To add some flavor to your water, ask your server to throw in some lemon, lime, or a sprig of mint; all of which are readily available restaurant garnishes.
• Kids eat free. Many restaurants let little ones eat for free. Sites like MyKidsEatFree.com offer listings of kiddo-friendly dining establishments and times when children eat free.
• Skip dessert. Let the cherry on top of your dining experience be the money you save by skipping the sweets.

Along with money-saving strategies for grocery shopping, eating at home, and dining out, Cheap Eats also contains six complete menus to inspire you to make meals that are inexpensive and delicious. For more ways to satisfy your inner frugal foodie, download MMI's Cheap Eats eBook.  

About Money Management International

Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit, full-service credit-counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958. MMI helps consumers trim their expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available by appointment in brand offices and 24/7 by telephone and Internet. Services are available in English or Spanish. To learn more, call 800.432.7310 or visit www.MoneyManagement.org.

SOURCE Money Management International