By Members of the SA Forum
It’s a meal that’s sure to please the kids and a nice change of pace when you don’t feel like cooking a full meal. Just because it might be a simple meal doesn’t mean you need to pay more for it. With foresight and planning, there are ways to cut costs if your family decides to have a pizza night. Here are a few of them:
Use coupons: Many pizza shops distribute coupons that can save you money. These coupons can be found in many places: newspaper inserts, mailers, phone books, coupon books, etc. When your pizza is delivered, there are coupons often attached to the box.
The Internet: Sometimes there are specials online that are not available for phone orders. Always check the pizza shop’s website before ordering.
Pizza Gift Cards: If you prefer a particular pizza brand that offers gift cards, check eBay. Many times you can find gift cards there at a lower price – saving you money on top of any other discounts you get.
Consider Eating Out: Many pizza shops (especially local, family-owned businesses) offer dining specials, often seen as lunch specials and Family Specials. A dine-in Family Special may include a free drink, free dessert, salad, or other bonuses and can make for an inexpensive family night out on occasion. Other bonuses of eating at a pizza shop are no dishes to make at home, no paper plates/cups clogging up the trash can, and no risk of the little one dropping a slice on the couch, rug, etc.
Buy in Volume: Many pizza businesses have volume discounts such as buy one get the next for $5. If you don’t mind cold pizza or reheated pizza, buying in volume will ensure some leftovers for an inexpensive lunch the next day.
Buy a ‘theme’ pizza: Rather than ordering your toppings ala carte, try a theme pizza (ie Supreme, Veggie, Meat, etc). The overall price of a ‘theme’ pizza is usually less than if you were to order the same pizza and toppings individually. If you have a good relationship with your local pizzeria, they may be able to honor special requests like “I’d like a large Supreme pizza, but can’t we have olives on one slice?”
Plain cheese please: Order a cheese pizza and add your own extras at home.
Special: Special ordering rather than individual ordering will often save you money. Pizza shops often have a recurring special on a certain day of the week so you know the schedules of your local shops.
Lift up: Instead of tipping the delivery driver a few bucks, go get the pizza yourself. However, if you live too far away to pick up a pizza, it may be cheaper to have it delivered and pay a tip than to drive both ways. An option for this is to call to pick up a pizza shop on your way home from work. No extra driving involved, no delivery tip, and a hot dinner ready as soon as you walk in the door.
More Ways to Save on Pizza
Homemade: Make your own pizza. This allows you to put what you want in it. Also, you know the quality of the toppings on the pizza. There are several options for home routing:
- Completely Homemade: Make the dough from scratch by hand or, if you have one, use a bread machine. Add sauce and toppings of your choice.
- Homemade: Buy ready-made dough balls or prepared crusts from the store and add toppings.
Either way, it will still be cheaper and, probably, healthier than ordering out. Letting everyone make their own pizza can be a fun and easy party activity.
Take & Bake: If you don’t feel like making it from scratch, you can try “take and bake pizzas” at a fraction of the cost of the big franchises. Store bought pizzas are better and better quality. Sometimes the toppings are a little simple, but you can always add more with whatever you have in the fridge or pantry.
Non-Traditional Stores: If you’re having a big party, consider getting your pizzas from Costco or a similar grocery store. You can get a large amount of ready-made pizza for a lot less than you can get at a regular pizza shop.
Of course, if pizza is for the guys (and gals) watching the basketball game, our 10 Ways to Save on Beer will also come in handy.
Read more:
Conversations with a Burglar – Or Where to Hide Money in Your Home
38 Ways to Make Extra Money You’ve Never Heard Of
18 Weird Food Trends Around the World
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