Lower the Price of Dining Out
There are a number of ways to take a bite out of the cost of dining out. Of course, you can simply eat out less often. However, when you do dine out, think about eating more lightly. Consider drinking water instead of other beverages. Try splitting servings with your dining partner. Take leftovers home in a "doggie bag."
Join a Discount Dining Program
I'm a big fan of the "Entertainment" book--it always saves me more than I spent for it. All of these discount dining programs can easily more than pay for themselves. Some may be more advantageous if you travel widely while others may be more beneficial if you tend to stay closer to home.
They generally offer a certain percent off your restaurant bill (with some restrictions) for one person up to a specified maximum number of people or a second entree free. Plus, sometimes singles can dine for half price. In addition, discounts on lodging, movies, tourist attractions, goods/services, and more are featured by several.
Annual membership fees vary. Most provide free directories of their participating restaurants to aid in your decision regarding signing up. It's good to look into them thoroughly before joining to be sure you understand what they offer and how they work. Listed below are some of the better known programs.
Entertainment -- These books (each for a specific geographic area) feature a membership card you show at higher-priced places and coupons to use at medium to lower-priced eateries.
Primecard -- This program provides their own charge card with the discounts you receive showing up in your monthly statements.
Rewards Network -- With this program you register a credit or debit card you already own and the discounts you receive appear on your statement.
To obtain information about other discount dining programs, ask restaurants if they're a member of any and for details.
Other Ways of Reduce Eating Out Costs
Watch for coupons in the newspaper or mail for "buy one entree, get a second entree of equal or lesser value free" or variation of this. Be sure to note the expiration date and any restrictions.
"Early bird specials"--where you usually dine between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.--can result in savings, too. You'll not only find good prices but also beat the usual dinner crowd with most menu items more likely to be available.
Try eating out for lunch instead of dinner--you can receive the same meal and service but at a much lower cost. Watch for luncheon specials. Some buffets and "all you can eat" offerings may be bargains, too.
Don't forget about breakfast. Some restaurants offer specials for the morning meal at very reasonable prices. Try not to load up on those enticing side orders that might not be included.
While not recommended to do routinely, for the price of a drink or two, it's possible to make a substantial meal out of hors d' oeuvres served during the "happy hour" at many drinking establishments.
If you're a member of the warehouse store Costco, go if you can when they offer free food samples. You can get a hearty snack or even a light meal there quite easily.
Use of these suggestions can result in a decrease in your dining out costs. You might even be able to eat out more often without sacrificing quality or variety. Now there's something you can sink your teeth into!