Our Frugal Journey

Sunday’s newspaper was loaded with coupons. But one coupon in particular caught my eye: $5 off two entrees at Chili’s.
I’m not a huge Chili’s fan. Nothing against Chili’s but we don’t go out to eat much so when we do, I prefer small locally owned places over chain eateries where the food all tastes about the same. In a real hurry, we will go the fast-food route. So a place like Chili’s hasn’t had much of a place in our restaurant repertoire. Until now.
The Chili’s coupon, which was part of a one-page advertising insert in Sunday’s paper, is part of a promotion for Chili’s new line of more-affordable entrees. With the recession sending more us into our own kitchens, I’m guessing the folks over at Chili’s corporate decided it might be time to try to appeal to the thrifty among us.
The 10 meals for under $7 campaign wouldn’t have done much to entice me on its own. That’s still too pricey for an every-day lunch or dinner that I can whip up way cheaper in my own kitchen.
But the $5 coupon had me doing the math.
Buy two entrees — including those on the under $7 menu — and take $5 off the bill.
Now that’s a deal I’m interested in.
The cheapest item on the under $7 menu is Kickin’ Jack Nachos at $4.99. The Chicken Crisper Bites and the Big Mouth (burger) Bites are $5.99 each.
If you ordered the nachos and your dining partner got the burger bites and you both ordered water as your beverage, your bill would be just $6 plus tax and tip. Lunch for two at McDonald’s would cost you more.
And that also buys you a day off from meal planning, cooking and cleaning up.
Of course, Chili’s is banking on you letting your thrifty guard down once it has reeled you into the restaurant. Chili’s is hoping the rationalization will start something like this: Well, since I’m saving $5, we’ll go ahead and get soft drinks. There goes your $5 savings. And then when your waiter asks if you would like dessert, your budgetary willpower and/or dietary willpower evaporates into thin air. All of a sudden, your cheap night out is now over the $20 mark. Chili’s is happy; your wallet is not.
So be prepared when taking advantage of an offer like this. Don’t let it take advantage of you.
P.S. The only thing I won’t cheap out on when we head to Chili’s this week is the tip. Our server will still get the standard 15 percent to 20 percent — on the before-coupon amount.