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Know These Insider Fast-Food and Restaurant Hacks

By U.S. News & World Report

There’s something satisfying about scoring a deal. With this guide, you can sate both your hunger for savings and your cravings for tasty eats. Before sliding up to a table at your favorite joint, check out these insider fast-food and restaurant hacks for 2017.

Keep in mind, prices and availability may vary by location, and offers may be up to the manager’s discretion. Contact your restaurant to verify participation.

[Read: 7 Restaurant Apps That Save You Money Every Time You Dine Out.]

McDonald’s

— Upgrade to a steamed bun for free. While burgers are typically served on a toasted sesame seed bun, the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich is nestled between a light, fluffy steamed bun. You can upgrade any burger by requesting a steamed bun.

— Go for the 20-piece McNuggets. Prices vary by region, but the 20-piece Chicken McNuggets order is a better value than the four-piece or 10-piece order at virtually any McDonald’s. At an average of $5 per order, a 20-piece McNuggets order could set you back as little as 25 cents per nugget. By comparison, a four-pack costs around $1.99, putting each nugget at about 50 cents. A 10-piece McNugget is only a slightly better deal at an average of $4.49, or 45 cents per nugget.

— Score a senior discount on coffee. As a customer aged 55 or older, you may be able to get a dine-in senior discount on coffee and other beverages at many McDonald’s. To redeem the deal, inquire about participation with your server.

— Download the mobile app. McDonald’s offers weekly deals on food and drinks on its official app. Past deals have included buy five, get one free McCafe beverages or a free drink with any purchase.

[See: 10 Money Leaks to Shut Down Now.]

Chipotle

— Give the gift of Chipotle. During the holidays, Chipotle generally offers a special deal to gift card purchasers. In the past, the Mexican-inspired eatery has given away a free burrito, bowl or tacos with a $30 gift card purchase.

— Subscribe to the email or mobile list. Chipotle occasionally sends special offers via email and text. Sign up on Chipotle.com to stay abreast of the latest deals.

Krispy Kreme

— Get free doughnuts on holidays. Participating Krispy Kreme locations give out free original glazed doughnuts on select holidays. Traditionally, the classic doughnut joint hands out freebies on National Doughnut Day (first Friday of June), International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19), National Coffee Day (Sept. 29), Election Day (varies) and on other holidays. Inquire with your local Krispy Kreme to find out the next holiday it will celebrate.

— Join the Friends of Krispy Kreme e-club. Subscribe to the Krispy Kreme e-club to receive special email offers in your mailbox. Past offers have included a free doughnut upon sign up and a free doughnut on your birthday.

— Download the Krispy Kreme Rewards app. When you use the Krispy Kreme Rewards app, you can earn points to use toward free doughnuts and drinks. You’ll also receive a free original glazed doughnut upon download and a surprise on your birthday. Throughout the year, you’ll be treated to user-only deals and perks.

[See: 11 Expenses Destroying Your Budget.]

Starbucks

— Do-it-yourself iced latte. Instead of ordering an iced latte, go for a shot of espresso over ice. Then, fill up the rest of your cup with milk at the milk bar and give it a stir to whip up a cheaper, DIY iced latte. Prices vary by region, but you can generally get a shot of espresso over ice for around $1.95, versus about $4.15 for an iced latte.

— Order a tall-sized drink in a grande-sized cup. If you’ve ordered a brewed coffee before, you may have experienced the frustration of having to dump out a bit of coffee in order to make room for your milk at the milk bar. Solve this problem by ordering a tall-sized coffee in a larger grande-sized cup, or order a grande coffee in a larger venti cup. The free upgrade will leave you with plenty of space.

— Register for Starbucks Rewards. With a Starbucks Rewards membership, you earn “Stars” that you can use toward future free beverages and treats. With the current point system, you earn two stars per $1 spent, with a freebie given for every 125 stars earned. You’ll also receive free refills year-round and a gift on your birthday.

More from U.S. News

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Know These Insider Fast-Food and Restaurant Hacks 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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