Frugal Dining

Tips for saving money when you eat out

It’s easy to run up a big restaurant bill without even noticing, but these frugal dining tips can help you enjoy a meal out and still stay within your budget.

Avoid over-ordering. Only order what you actually think you will eat, not everything that sounds good - especially if you’re hungry when you order. If the restaurant serves chips or bread on the table, try to fill up a little on that before you order. And remember that it’s not necessary to have a four-course meal just because you are out. Don’t order appetizers, salads, etc. if all you really need to be satisfied is an entrée.

Beware of restaurant “specials.” In restaurant speak, “special” doesn’t mean “discounted.” It means “featured.” And frequently, the specials will be one of the pricier items on (or off) the menu. If the server doesn’t mention prices when he/she tells you about featured items, be sure to ask before you order one.

Share a meal. Your momma taught you to share, so don’t be afraid to! The portions at many restaurants these days are huge – more than enough food for two people. Tell your server you’re going to share an entree, and they’ll either bring you an extra plate or split the entrée for you in the kitchen. A frugal dining word of warning, though: Some restaurants charge an “extra plate” fee, so ask if there’s an extra charge for sharing.

Get a doggy bag. Frugal Dining Rule #1: Leftovers are your friend! You paid for all the food – even what’s left on your plate after you can't eat another bite. So take it home and get an extra meal or two out of it. The restaurant is not going to send the leftover food to starving children in Africa. It will all get thrown away, so it would be a waste to not take it with you.

Use coupons and gift certificates. Restaurants often publish coupons in the newspaper, as well as in circulars that come in your mail and in discount books like the Entertainment Book. Some credit card companies even send coupons to their cardholders to use if the cardholder uses the company's card.

Social buying sites, such as Groupon, LivingSocial and SocialBuy, are another great source for restaurant coupons. These types of sites offer deals, but the deals are only good if enough people agree to purchase them in a given time period. Laughing Wallet's favorite is Groupon. When you sign up at Groupon.com, you receive an email each day with a deeply discounted offer on food, activities or services in your area. Buy the ones you want, ignore the ones you don't!

Show your card. Some association memberships offer discounts to members with a variety of vendors, including restaurants. Frugal dining champ AAA, for instance, will get you a discount at a number of restaurants if you show your card. Anytime you join an association or service, be sure to read up on all the benefits you're paying for.

Ask about discounts. Many restaurants offer discounts to seniors, students or other special customers (like soldiers, teachers, etc.), but it's not mentioned on the menu. Ask your server if the restaurant offers any special menus or discounts.

Do lunch instead of dinner. The lunch menu at most restaurants is the same or similar to the dinner menu, but the portions are smaller and so are the prices. Even cheaper? The breakfast menu!

Earn points for the money you spend. A number of credit card companies offer free dining clubs to their card holders. Card holders that sign up earn points for every dollar they spend when they eat at a member restaurant. You may not get a discount on your meal, but you can get back some of what you spend in rewards.

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