The Reason You Should Never Order The Cheapest Dish On The Menu

Contrary to popular belief, cheaper isn't always better. It's understandable that some Americans don't have the means to shell out additional money, but sometimes a few extra dollars can actually save you more money in the long run than grabbing the budget option. As Bargain Bethany explains in her YouTube video, buying cereal for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree definitely sounds intriguing, but when you consider the size of the bag being sold, you're actually spending more money than if you just visited Walgreens. "With the 25-cent increase, you're paying even more per ounce. For the same three-ounce bag that I'm going to pay $1.25 for, I can go to Walgreens and get 11 ounces for $1.99," she said.

Value menus at fast food chains often result in the same findings. Per The Augusta Chronicle, dollar menus are a great way to get consumers in the door and they often end up buying additional items, making more money for the business. Because value meals aren't usually as filling as more pricey combos, many customers size up and spend more than they intended. Similarly, when it comes to dining out, ordering the cheapest option on the menu has certain advantages but it might not always be a good idea.

If you're truly looking to save money while dining out, stop gravitating towards cheap menu items at restaurants but rather opt for the best deal for your money. Per MSN, the budget item will almost always come with less food, possibly leaving you hungry for more after finishing your meal. So you should always consider value when making a decision, factoring in how much more food you'll receive if you spend a couple extra bucks. Additionally, budget meals hardly ever leave enough for leftovers, which you can use for tomorrow night's dinner and take the burden off of purchasing more food.

Insider's Claire Murdough learned this lesson the hard way after living frugally for much of her younger years. She notes that the quality of the food is lacking on the value menu, which is how restaurants are able to cut costs. "I'm not saying that you should go for the lobster every time, but ordering $9 onion rings over a $14 entree that will fill you up (and also offer the possibility for leftovers) is considering the value of your dollars spent," she wrote.