The Cheapest Day to Go Out to Eat

As the adage goes, it all adds up. Saving a few dollars here and there can make a significant impact in the long run — and you can start today by implementing a few small changes to your weekly schedule. We’ve compiled advice from industry experts to provide you with the cheapest days to do almost everything, from grocery shopping and getting gas to traveling and eating at a restaurant.

Cheapest Day to Buy Groceries: Wednesday

According to Instacart, Wednesday is the most common day for grocery stores to start their weekly specials. New items will be on sale and in stock. If you wait a few days, you risk missing out on sale items. Retailers also tend to mark down perishables on Wednesday evenings — you might get a great bakery or deli deal on this day. The store will also be less crowded, as only 19% of consumers shop for groceries on Wednesdays. Avoid grocery shopping on Saturdays when stores are busiest and more items are out of stock.

Cheapest Day to Buy Gas: Monday

According to GasBuddy, an app that tracks gas prices, the best day to buy gas is Monday. This comes with exceptions, but historically, Monday gas price averages are the lowest in 17 states, and Tuesday is the second-cheapest day. Consumer demand tends to be lower at the beginning of the week, so to stay competitive, gas stations lower their prices to draw people in. However, avoid getting gas on Thursday, as it is the most expensive day to purchase gas across the U.S.

Cheapest Day to Go to a Restaurant: Monday

According to Nasdaq, Mondays are generally the slowest days at restaurants. They often offer significant discounts, such as complimentary appetizers, drink specials, and discounted entrées to draw customers in. Restaurants likely have unsold inventory from the weekend, especially appetizers and desserts, so asking about these might score you some discounted grub. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also good options for dining out, while Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive. 

Cheapest Day to Book a Flight: Sunday

Tuesday used to be when airlines released their new weekly deals, making it the cheapest day to book a flight. However, there is no set schedule when airlines release deals, and they don’t usually match their competitors’ prices, either. According to experts, Sunday is generally the cheapest day to book a flight, saving you around 6% on domestic and 13% on international flights. 

Cheapest Day to Buy a Car: Monday or Tuesday

Heading to the car dealership when the crowds are low gives you more inventory and less competition, resulting in lower prices. Mondays and Tuesdays are the best time to purchase a new car. Go during the morning for even better luck. As Investopedia points out, you’ll likely be one of the only customers in the dealership because almost everyone else will be at work. This gives you more time to test drive, ask questions, and negotiate the price. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Saturday is the worst day to go car shopping. Many people have the day off, so car dealerships are at their busiest, which could drive higher prices. 

Cheapest Day to See a Movie: Tuesday

The average movie theater ticket price in the U.S. is around $10.50, but on Tuesdays, Cinemark and AMC, the largest movie theater chains in the country, offer ticket discounts at around 50%, along with other deals such as popcorn and drink combos. Downloading a free rewards program app can earn you even more discounts on Tuesdays and points toward tickets and snacks.

Cheapest Day to Go Shopping: Thursday

Head to the mall on Thursday evenings for early access to weekend specials and take advantage of recently marked-down inventory that will soon leave the store. According to Investopedia, most retailers prepare for the weekend on Thursdays, so the stock will be replenished, giving you the most options without fighting the weekend crowds. 

Cheapest Day to Book a Hotel: Friday

Like airfare, hotel prices fluctuate dramatically based on consumer demand, and each brand follows its discount schedule. However, according to data collected by Skyscanner, booking a domestic hotel is about 2% cheaper on Fridays, which might sound like pennies, but it adds up for long trips. As for international hotels, try to book on a Thursday when prices are about 6% cheaper.

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