It is hardly a secret that restaurants make a HUGE profit off of drinks. On your next romantic rendezvous, opt for a tall glass of iced water instead of tea or soda.

Instead of a dinner date, enjoy a lunch outing. Lunch items are typically less expensive and are smaller portioned which is better for you anyway.

For example, try an adorable patio or courtyard setting or cozy indoor booths. Plus, you and your heartthrob will have plenty of daylight hours left to create a memorable adventure afterward.

Then, for dinner, create a date night in with a tasting platter or charcuterie board making it a day full of dating bliss. Score deals on gift cards to many retailers across the nation through companies like Cardpool or Raise. These companies allow people to sell their unwanted gift cards for a fraction of the face value.

This gives you the buyer a discount purchase price on the value of the card. Add another one of our money saving tips from this list to increase your saving potential. Be sure to pay attention to the daily specials. As with grocery store sales pricing, restaurants try to use up their inventory before it goes bad by offering a daily special at a reasonable price.

This is a great way to allow your taste-buds to feast upon new flavors while going easy on the wallet. Eat out on your birthday to freely indulge. This may take some prior research but many restaurants offer deals, a free dessert or a free meal when you dine out on your birthday. You may have to show your identification for this money-saving royal treatment.

Instead of dining in at your favorite eatery, order your meal to go and dine outdoors in a romantic locale. Not to mention the added advantage of dining uninterrupted with your honey with the chance to snuggle up on a cozy picnic blanket and stargaze. Before you automatically toss them in the recycle bin, take a quick thumb through.

Often times, area restaurants will have coupons hiding in these advertising flyers. Why not enjoy a percentage or set dollar amount off when you dine out? Sometimes you may even uncover a BOGO entree coupon!

I am not typically an advocate for racking up debt, especially on something like food. However, some credit cards offer cash back points when used at restaurants.

As long as you can pay the balance off when the billing statement arrives, you might as well get a little back to use toward other purchases. Take Discover, for example, customers can choose to use their cash back points toward their billing payment, on Amazon or choose from select gift cards.

Groupon , and similar sites, strives to help locals find the very best in their city. Shoppers can seek out goods, events, services, experiences and eats. And what better way to explore your city than at discounted pricing!

As an added bonus, new discounts are constantly offered to give you fresh options on a consistent basis. What are some other ways you have used to save money when eating out?

Erica Thomas is a freelance writer regularly contributing to Date Night Guide and Orlando Date Night Guide , while also managing her roles as a wife and homeschooling mom of two small children. She is a romantic at heart who flourishes with adventurous activities and travel and, of course, date night.

Simply use the card to pay your restaurant bill and enjoy your rebate later. Check your card to find out. Just be sure to pay off the balance immediately to avoid being slapped with those high credit card interest rates! The prices of beverages in restaurants are ridiculous. Even soda is expensive.

When you take a look at the wine and cocktail menus? Sparkling and mineral water can also have hefty price tags attached so stick to tap water.

Your wallet will thank you. Lots of restaurants and bars have a happy hour. During this short time period, you can save big on drinks and enjoy special food offers.

Skipping a course is a great way to save money when dining out. I usually forego the appetizer and just eat the entrée and maybe dessert. The alternative to skipping the appetizer is to only eat appetizers.

If you just want something light, the appetizer is the way to go. If you want something a little more substantial, pare the appetizer with a side like a salad. There are times when you want to enjoy a nice dinner out without actually eating out.

This can actually save you money and you may even get more food. On top of that, I can skip a huge tip. always seem like great times to eat out. But, you know what? For this reason, some restaurants hike up their prices for those extra busy days.

Skip the holidays and eat at home. There are some days of the week like Tuesdays that are always slower than the rest. Restaurants often have special offers to attract customers on these days.

While the restaurants are busy filling their seats, you can fill your belly at a lower price. Some restaurants have special offers for birthdays and anniversaries.

Hey, at the very least, you might get some free cake. This is a normal way of thinking. So to avoid this, eat a snack before you leave home. At the end of the night, when you receive your bill, check and double-check it.

Avoid tasting menus but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch Skip the snacks

Money-saving dining suggestions - Limit your alcohol intake rather than cutting booze out altogether Avoid tasting menus but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch Skip the snacks

These discounts are often not given at small family restaurants. The required age varies with locations and with the particular establishment. Some start at 65 and some at Get the recipe to conquer your debt and regain control of your finances.

If you are going to a restaurant for the first time, explain to the server when you enter that you only want to order an appetizer. If it turns out the appetizer is good, chances are that the entrees are as well, and you can proceed to order a full meal.

They may or may not, but it is worth asking. If your substitution request is reasonable, restaurant owners usually try hard to accommodate customers. Finally, if you are going to do takeout at the same time you sit down for a meal, you should order the takeout separately from the meal.

You can order the takeout before the rest of your party orders and pay your bill separately at the cashier. With upscale, sit-down restaurants, you have no choice.

Lately, more and more non-restaurant establishments like Whole Foods Market offer booth seating and tables for free customer use, and of course, there is no tipping. Wouldn't you like to be a Stretcher too? Subscribe to get our money-saving content twice per week by email and start living better for less.

by Irene Akatsui. Instead of ordering a soda or wine, drink water. Go with someone who is willing to split a dish. Sign Up for Savings Subscribe to get money-saving content by email that can help you stretch your dollars further.

Find out which restaurants have free refills…on food. Eat out at lunch instead of dinner. Visit a family restaurant that has just opened.

Is debt eating up your budget? Get your birthday freebie. Then remind them again when you arrive. They may prepare a small dish of ice cream or dessert for you on the house. Get a taste for a new place with an appetizer.

Order take-out separately from your meal. Related: Get Your Dining Out Priorities Straight To Save Money Super Frugal Date Night Ideas. If dinner also involves drinks, see if there are any local restaurants that allow you to bring your own bottle.

BYOB can help you avoid hefty restaurant markups, giving you that drinks-out experience without the financial hangover. Not every area permits BYOB, though. Self-ordering kiosks and apps might encourage you to order more.

Yes, these tips are about saving on dining out, but your costs go beyond the restaurant bill. If you need child care, could a grandparent, other relative, or friend offer free babysitting?

Think about getting there and back too. Or look for restaurants within walking or biking distance. Then, once the charge posts to your credit card statement, check that it matches the photo. Fine dining usually comes with a fine price tag.

But there are ways to get that white-tablecloth experience on a budget if you plan ahead. Although these occasions can sometimes be full price, many restaurants discount their dishes for this trial period or even give out free meals.

To get on the list, call the restaurant a couple months before they open and ask to be included. Or go up to the restaurant space during construction, and ask if you can have a table at any opening events.

These can provide a unique experience with great food. More than half of US restaurants have loyalty programs that give you rewards, such as free food or drinks, for being a regular customer.

Loyalty programs vary. You might use an old-school punch card in some restaurants, and in others, there might be an app that allows you to redeem points for free drinks, entrées, merch, and more.

Feeding a family can mean a big bill, even if kids order off their own menu with smaller portions and lower prices. A budget-friendlier move? Timing your restaurant meals to when your favorite place comps kids.

Be prepared for crowds with the same idea. So celebrate the day before or after the rush to get the regular menu with regular prices.

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How to save money on dining out. Send to Please enter a valid email address Your email address Please enter a valid email address Message. Thanks for you sent email. Key takeaways Dining out is a major expense for many Americans, but there are ways to trim the bill without sacrificing the experience.

Timing is everything for spending less at restaurants. Shifting when you go out to eat by just a little bit could cook up savings. Feed your brain. Fund your future. Subscribe now. Hit up happy hour Saving money might make you happy.

BYOB If dinner also involves drinks, see if there are any local restaurants that allow you to bring your own bottle. Be careful on self-service tablets and apps Self-ordering kiosks and apps might encourage you to order more. Eat at restaurants-in-training Fine dining usually comes with a fine price tag.

Join restaurant loyalty programs More than half of US restaurants have loyalty programs that give you rewards, such as free food or drinks, for being a regular customer. Check out kids-eat-free days Feeding a family can mean a big bill, even if kids order off their own menu with smaller portions and lower prices.

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Everyone wants a good deal when dining out. A restaurant owner and manager put together this insider's guide to saving money at restaurants How to save money: 16 ways to spend less at restaurants from Ms. Cheap · 1. Eat at happy hour · 2. Join the e-clubs · 3. Buy discounted gift but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch: Money-saving dining suggestions

Loans Learn Home Loans Student Loans Personal Loans Auto Money-szving. I Money-szving not typically an advocate Money-saving dining suggestions racking Affordable dining deals debt, especially Money-saving dining suggestions suggestionw like food. Card info has been independently collected by MoneyUnder30 to help consumers better compare cards. Best High Yield Savings Accounts. So celebrate the day before or after the rush to get the regular menu with regular prices. Retire Early. These discounts are often not given at small family restaurants.	Super Bowl How Much Work Productivity Suffers The Week After the Big Game. Michael G. Here are some of our top tips and tricks that will help you save money at restaurants this year—without blowing your budget. BYOB can help you avoid hefty restaurant markups, giving you that drinks-out experience without the financial hangover. Cons: Somewhat limited menu Few vegetarian and gluten-free meals. And the average price per meal per person?	Avoid tasting menus but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch Skip the snacks	Over 30 money saving tips for your food: · #1 – Use Food You Already have · #2 – Use Before The Best before · #3 – Bulk Shop (and cook) Your Like 'em · Celebrate good times · Avoid holiday hustle · Plan ahead · Dine happy · Drink water on tap · Delete one course · Practice portion control Avoid tasting menus	Make “less but often” your motto Treat yourself, by yourself Limit your alcohol intake rather than cutting booze out altogether
This Discounted measuring cups and spoons great Money-saving dining suggestions places Money-savint The Cheesecake Factory, which is Money-saviing for gigantic servings. Some restaurants have special offers for birthdays and anniversaries. Sign up for coupons and email alerts from your favorite restaurants. SAVE NOW! The bottom line. Best Money Market Accounts.	A kids plate is often all you need. Meanwhile eating at home will cost you an That way, you save on the tip and drink and still get to enjoy a special treat. Just like movie theaters offer reduced matinee prices in the daytime when seats are empty, restaurants incentivize dining out when business is slow. Eat out on your birthday to freely indulge. Skip to Main Content. We're Hiring!	Avoid tasting menus but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch Skip the snacks	5 money-saving tips for eating at restaurants · Rethink the way you order · Opt for lunch vs. dinner · Don't drink · Fill up on happy hours Over 30 money saving tips for your food: · #1 – Use Food You Already have · #2 – Use Before The Best before · #3 – Bulk Shop (and cook) Your Unless you're going to make a meal out of them as a way to save money, skip the appetizers. Most restaurant meals provide more than enough food	Avoid tasting menus but do look for set menus, particularly at lunch Skip the snacks
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