 TITLE: 7 Budgeting Tips to Try After a Pay Cut CONTENT: 4\\. Cut Back on Restaurant Spending\n-----------------------------------\nFood spending makes up a good chunk of any household budget—especially these days. TD Ameritrade conducted a survey in April and May 2020 and found that the average American spent an extra $282 on groceries since the pandemic began. (The upside, however, is that many had saved a little less than that by not eating out.)\nIt's possible for an average family of four with older kids to spend as little as $680 per month on groceries, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here are some actionable ways to lean out your food spending:\n*   **Make a habit of meal planning.** Sketch out a weekly meal plan that's based around items you already have in your freezer and cupboards. It's a simple act that could stop you from ordering pricey takeout. Looking to low-cost grocery stores like Aldi, buying in bulk at Costco or other warehouse stores, and opting for store-brand products can drive up potential savings even more.\n*   **Go with pickup over delivery.** While convenient, food delivery apps come at a price. Popular platforms like Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates and Uber Eats all tack on varying delivery fees. That's on top of whatever service fees may apply. When supporting local businesses, choosing to pick up your order yourself is almost always cheaper.\n*   **Look for local restaurant deals.** Before heading out, check to see if any local restaurants in your area are running any promotions. Some, for example, may offer buy-one-get-one deals or kids-eat-free specials on certain days. END