It is very expensive to live in the District, and one of the biggest expenses is food. In Washington, D.C., many people have not only high incomes but the added benefit of a generous expense account to help offset the cost of dining with clients, which means they are immune to the effects of rising costs.
It may be tough to find a good, affordable meal, but it’s possible. Through the use of different advances in technology, there are ways to eat without going broke.
Use apps if you have a smartphone. Almost every major chain has an app, and they can save you lots of money. For example, McDonald’s has an excellent app that constantly gives you good deals. Other chains like Burger King have similar apps, and chains like Hardee’s actually have reward programs where you earn points based on your purchases. Domino’s and Pizza Hut also have reward programs.
Opt-in to restaurant text messaging. For example, Subway will send you a text message every week featuring a good deal. I just used mine to get a $3 sandwich that would have normally cost about $5. Not every location accepts these deals, however, so double-check.
Use deal websites. Companies like Groupon and Living Social offer deals for a small price, and you get a lot of value in return. At the time I am writing this, I found two great deals. One is for an Ethiopian restaurant called Seba Dereja on Georgia Avenue (the deal can be found on both sites): $20 worth of food and drink for $10. The other is for a place called Half Smoke on Florida Ave: $20 worth of food and drink for $12.
You might wonder if this is legitimate, and I will tell you it definitely is. Businesses are willing to take the loss because it gets you into their establishment; they figure if you like it and return (obviously paying full price on subsequent visits), then it was worth it. And it’s worth it for you, too.
Arthur Johnson is a volunteer writer focusing on finance and economic issues in his column Moving Up.
