On the way to pick up my son from school, my daughter kept asking if we could go to Zaxby’s and eat lunch with Daddy. I was surprised by my daughter’s request since we were not close to Zaxby’s when the pleading began. By the time we reached the school, the requesting was subsiding.

Upon entering the car and sitting in his booster seat, my son asked, “Can we go to Chick-Fil-A for lunch?” (I’m guessing that the cool, rainy weather brought on the wish for comfort food like chicken.) Since I needed to make a stop at the credit union which is close to Chick-Fil-A, I responded with, “We’ll see.”

After completing our business at the credit union, I searched my restaurant coupon file from the glove compartment to see if I could put a deal together for under $5. I found 2 coupons for buy a medium sweet tea, and get a 4-count chicken strip entrée. Knowing that I could work a deal for under $5, I announced that our next stop was Chick-Fil-A.

The kids were really excited. The rain had stopped as we pulled into the Chick-Fil-A parking lot. We quickly unloaded and entered the restaurant. Armed with my 2 coupons, we waited in line. At our turn, I handed the cashier my coupons. He confirmed that I wanted 2 sweet teas with each of the 4-piece chicken strips. (When a Chick-Fil-A coupon states a specific beverage (i.e. Sprite), most cashiers allow you to substitute for any comparable beverage.) The cost was 2 orders of chicken strips at $3.99 each for free and 2 teas at $1.49 each. I then ordered 4 buns: 3 toasted and 1 plain at $.15 each. My total with tax came to  . . . $3.87. (If I had purchased 4 chicken sandwiches, I would have spent over $10!)

The kids and I went to a table chosen by my daughter. The cashier brought our food to the table, and I begun to put our meal together.

• I stopped by the condiment station and picked up a knife, napkins, mayonnaise, ketchup, and placemats.

• I returned to the table and attached the placemats to each of the kids’ eating area. (I love these placemats. They work great, especially for the baby who is used to eating on the tray of her highchair.)

• I took out a bun, added requested condiments, and 2 strips of chicken. Next I cut the sandwich in half and placed in front of my daughter. I then made my son’s sandwich, then the baby’s, and finally mine. I was able to make 4 great chicken sandwiches with the food purchased. My son and daughter shared a sweet tea, and the baby and I shared the other one.

• After completing our meal, I cleaned up, and the kids went to play on the indoor playground.

When I returned home, I checked the receipt of my great restaurant deal. In addition to my purchase, my receipt had a survey invitation in the center section. After taking the survey on-line, I received a validation code which I can now redeem for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich. I guess we will be planning another visit to Chick-Fil-A soon. Maybe this time Daddy will be able to come with us.

By thinking outside of the box, using some of the options presented in the 10 Ways to Cut the Expense of Eating Out series, and setting a budget, the kids and I gained nourishment and exercise for under $4 on a spontaneous family activity.

What creative ways have you used to save money on a spur-of-the-moment change of plans?