Dining Out Can Be Cheaper Than Eating In
In every household, food takes up a huge portion of the monthly budget, making a significant impact on your finances. According to a statement by Nielsen, an average Filipino spent about ₱4,700 on groceries every month in 2014, that’s ₱700 less than what we spent in 2012!
The reason why we are spending less on groceries is not because we are all on a diet, but because we are spending more on dining out. Based on the same report, 25% of consumers are eating out in 2014, compared to only 14% a year earlier.
This is why when it comes to food, it’s essential to assess your eating habits to make sure that your spending is still in sync with your lifestyle and financial goals.
One of the key points in being able to save a huge margin of your budget is knowing how to efficiently spend your money on food. Cooking at home and eating out both have their own pros and cons, leveraging on their advantages will prove to be more helpful on your finances than you think.
Dining in is not always cheaper and better
Cooking at home may not seem like such a big deal, but according to a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology: cleaning up around the house after work will prevent your body from reducing the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, which can weaken your immune system. If your health gets affected, not only will it affect your overall productivity, but also your finances. How? You’ll be spending money on medicines and medical consultations, or worse – hospitalization.
If you’re a working professional and you live alone, cooking your own dinner after a long day of hard work should be the least of your concern. Not after enduring the traffic in EDSA which could lengthen your travel time from work to your home for two to three hours (depending on where you live).
Surely, halfway through your commute, you’ll be half-dead from starvation. By the time you reach home, you’ll be too tired to even think about cooking for your lunch the next day! All you’d want is a cold shower and to just lie on your bed and sleep.
So, if you hold a 9-to-6 job, your best bet at nourishing yourself with a satisfying meal is to eat out during weekdays.
Contrary to the notion that eating out is more costly, it really isn’t. You just have to be smart about it. And, the best and easiest way to plan out your gastronomic escapade without going broke is to be on the lookout for exclusive dining deals from your favorite restaurants and even your Credit Card providers!
Here are some of the perks you’ll get by simply using your Credit Card:
1. Half price deal
After attending the weekly Sunday mass, what better way to end the weekend with your family than to have a sumptuous lunch or dinner.
Eating out doesn’t have to cost you a bomb every time. Neither do having a scrumptious and fancy meal once in a while. Lookout for 50% off deals with your Credit Card. For example, BDO Credit Card offer half price deal at a number of participating high-end restaurants and hotels.
This can come up to significant savings. Instead of paying ₱2,380 per person, you’ll only pay ₱1,190 if you use your BDO Credit Card. Here’s where you could brandish your BDO Credit Card and enjoy this perk:
Spectrum, Fairmont Makati| Discount | 50% off on lunch and dinner buffet at Spectrum every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday (dinner only). |
| Terms & Conditions | Offer is valid for a minimum of two (2) and maximum of ten (10) diners. Applicable for BDO World Elite, Platinum, Titanium, and Gold Mastercard Credit Card. |
2. Exclusive discounts
Meanwhile, if you fancy eating out on weekdays for lunch and dinner, your BDO Credit Card or Debit Card offers discounted dining delights from the following restaurants at the Manila Hotel that will surely give you more than your money’s worth.
Cafe Ilang Ilang
This is the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying lunch break or dinner after a stressful workday without stretching your budget. They offer 40% discount on lunch buffet from Mondays to Saturdays and 40% discounts on dinner buffets daily.
Champagne Room
From Mondays to Saturdays, enjoy 40% discount on their Degustation Set Menu.
Mabuhay Palace
Their set menu will not only provide you a full meal but also huge savings! With your BDO Cards, you can get 40% discount on all of their set menu all day from Mondays to Sundays.
These promos run until June 30, 2017.
3. Birthday privileges
When it comes to birthday celebrations the preparation can be taxing and sometimes more expensive than it should be if you do it yourself. With the birthday privileges offered by the following restaurants, courtesy of your BDO Credit Card, you can just focus on enjoying your day without spending above your budget.
Marriott Café, Marriott Hotel Manila
What better way to celebrate your birthday than to have a feast at a sumptuous restaurant with your friends and family. With the 50% discount on lunch and dinner buffet (and Sunday brunch) for a minimum of two and maximum of ten persons at Marriott Cafe, you can easily throw a birthday party without having to go broke. Plus, they give out complimentary birthday cakes too!
| Meal Period | Days | Regular Rate | BDO Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch (12PM to 2:30PM) | Mon- Sat | ₱1,900 | ₱950 |
| Dinner (6PM to 10:30PM) | Sun-Thu Fri-Sat | ₱2,100 ₱2,500 | ₱1,050 ₱1,250 |
| Brunch (11:30AM to 3PM) | Sun | ₱2,500 | ₱1,250 |
This promotion is exclusive to qualified BDO World Elite, Platinum, Titanium and Gold Mastercard Credit Card.
Cucina at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Another place worthy to visit especially during your birthday is the Cucina at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. BDO Credit Cardholders who are celebrating their birthdays are entitled to a complimentary lunch or dinner. The regular rate for their buffet dinner is ₱2,950. But, if you’re a BDO cardholder and it’s your birth month, you can dine here for free when you dine with at least three (3) paying guests and you also get a complimentary birthday cake. Your guests are entitled to a 50% discount. So, instead of paying the regular rate for your guests, you’ll only pay ₱1,475 each.
This offer is exclusive to BDO World Elite, Platinum, and Titanium Mastercard Credit Cards.
Spectrum, Fairmont Makati
This place is also perfect for birthday celebrations. In your birth month, you can enjoy a delightful lunch or dinner buffet for free with at least one (1) paying guest, plus a complimentary birthday cake. On top of that, your guest is entitled to a 50% discount on total F&B bill.
This offer is exclusive to BDO World Elite, Platinum, and Titanium Mastercard Credit Cards.
Cost of eating out versus cost of cooking at home
While cooking at home can be a money saving practice, it does not mean that it’s efficient all the time. If you work day-in and day out, you’re surely tired and worn out. Sometimes, what you’d want at the end of a busy work day is to just relax, eat, and not have to clean up after.
That way you’ll wake up the next day feeling recharged and ready to take on another day.
To check out more dining offers from BDO Credit Card, click here.
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