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Money Saving Tip #1: Just say no to restaurant soft drinks!

March 9, 2010 · 6 comments

in Money Saving Tips, Personal Finance

I was out to lunch with a friend at a local chain restaurant the other day and  I started discussing how much soft drinks cost these days.  I then picked up the menu to prove my point and the prices were not listed on the menu!  I was aghast.  When the waitress came to take our order, I asked how much soft drinks cost and she did not even know.  She later came back and said soft drinks cost $2.39.   If that isn’t bad enough, you can add in the 6 percent Michigan tax plus 20 percent tip, and that watered-down soft drink now costs you an even $3.00.  I can think of a lot of beverages I would enjoy more for that price.  Or, I could go to my local Kroger and buy a couple of 2 liter bottles for the same amount of money.  Of course, those would be hard to smuggle in my purse and discretely pour at a restaurant…

So next time you are out to eat, take a look at the menu before you order a beverage.  If the price isn’t there, you know it is an amount you won’t want to pay.  If the price IS there, you probably won’t want to pay that amount either.  (Unless the drink is offered in a decorative plastic cup with a twisty straw and you can convince the server you are 10 and under.)  Besides, what are you really gaining from that drink anyway besides a bunch of empty calories (or Nutrasweet) and a small dose of caffeine?

Have a great day!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Barbara Swafford March 12, 2010 at 3:23 pm

Isn’t that the truth?

I’ve gotten to be where I just order a glass of water. If I happen to go through a drive-thru, I’ll order a cup of water. In most cases it’s free, but if you want a large one, they might charge $0.25.

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Rebecca March 20, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Amen, sista! Drinks are SOO expensive it’s insane! I always tell my kids to get water. Why are drinks more than the food itself?!

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Kris March 21, 2010 at 10:09 am

I am sure that beverages have a very high profit margin. My kids know better than to even ask for a beverage, unless it comes with the meal. Thanks for commenting!

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Renee April 27, 2010 at 10:30 am

We go out to lunch every Sunday after church. The rule is we all drink lemon water. I refuse to spend an extra $10 on soft drinks. The funny thing is that the kids don’t mind and they actually prefer lemon water now. Thanks for the tips….lovin’ your site!

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Budgeting in the Fun Stuff May 13, 2010 at 5:09 pm

Hubby splurges once in a while for his drink fix, but I’m a water only girl (except at Denny’s…I do get the crazy cups with OJ or cranberry juice…I have a small collection building…). Soft drinks are crazy expensive when you eat out.

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