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9 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

By U.S. News & World Report

As we long for artisanal charcuterie, our children crave fries.

While we dream of fluffy Spanish omelets, our kids want chicken fingers shaped like dinosaurs.

As we thirst for earthy reds, our youngsters hope for fizzy sodas — preferably served in a plastic take-home cup.

While you and your kids might disagree on what makes a good meal, you can enjoy a night out together regardless of what’s on the table. If your kids agree (however reluctantly) to take a few bites of broccoli or give lobster a try, you can reward them with a meal at one of their favorite restaurants.

And after treating your kids, you might be surprised when you take a look at your bill at the end of the meal. Many eateries offer free kids meals on certain days of the week, when you can take out your whole family for dinner on the cheap.

[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]

Read on for a list of restaurants and dates when little ones can eat free. Keep in mind that these offers are typically for children who are 12 and younger and usually require the purchase of an adult entree.

Double check our restaurant schedule, load your tykes into the minivan, and head to one of these nine spots with free kids meals.

1. Applebee’s

Dates: Varies

Applebee’s entices young diners with a colorful menu of kid classics. Kids can pair mains like grilled cheeses and chicken grillers with nutritious sides. Think apple dippers, carrots and yogurt. Meanwhile, you can enjoy dishes from a diverse menu of pasta, seafood, burgers and salads. Only select locations participate in kids eat free nights, so be sure to check in with your local Applebee’s.

2. Bennigan’s

Dates: Tuesdays after 4 p.m.

This Irish-themed eatery features a mix of American favorites and Irish classics. The kids menu includes several healthy options, including a chicken salad, chicken wrap and roasted veggies. Meals include a side and a surprise.

[See: How to Live on $13,000 a Year.]

3. Denny’s

Dates: Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Though Denny’s is famous for its 24-hour breakfast, it does have a selection lunch and dinner comfort foods. Your kids can opt for breakfast-for-dinner selections, such as chocolate chip pancakes and French toast. Or they can go for more traditional supper items, such as spaghetti and junior cheeseburgers. You’ll be faced with the same choice (breakfast food or dinner food), plus the decision of whether to give into temptation and order the chocolate lava cake.

4. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Dates: Sundays

The kids menu at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is short and simple. Your kiddos have a choice of three meals: chicken nuggets, a sandwich plate or a meat plate. It’s an opportunity to introduce your kids to the wonders of hickory smoked barbecue while you enjoy your own plate of beef brisket and pork ribs.

5. Ikea

Dates: Tuesdays

Hidden among the sofas and build-it-yourself dressers at IKEA, you’ll stumble upon a Swedish-style bistro. After a long Tuesday of shopping for furniture, you can reward your kid with a free meal. Your youngsters can sample the tastes of Sweden with a plate of Ikea’s famous Swedish meatballs. We suggest ordering a plate for yourself, too.

6. IHOP

Dates: All week long

IHOP treats youngsters to free meals not one, not two but seven nights of the week. The kids menu focuses on breakfast items, including the whimsical make-your-own face pancakes. You have the opportunity for culinary creativity too with create-your-own omelet and breakfast combos.

7. Pizza Hut

Dates: Tuesdays

To unlock this deal, purchase the adult pizza buffet. While you peruse an endless selection of pizza, pasta, salads, and more, your little ones can look over the kids menu. The children’s selection includes pizzeria classics, such as spaghetti, garlic sticks and — of course — pizza.

[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]

8. TGI Fridays

Dates: Mondays and Tuesdays

An American-favorite since 1965, TGI Fridays boasts an extensive menu of freshly grilled steaks, burgers and imaginative cocktails. While you flip through the many-paged menu, your kids can choose from classics designed for “smaller appetites” and “heartier appetites.” All kiddie meals come with carrots and celery sticks.

9. Uno Chicago Grill

Dates: Tuesdays

In addition to kid’s classics, the Uno children’s menu includes a make-your-own pizza option. Your children can happily decorate dough with sauce, cheese and toppings while you dig into Uno’s signature Chicago-style deep dish.

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9 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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