Saving Money When Eating Out

I eat out a lot, especially in the summer when it's so pleasant to have a meal on the outdoor terrace of a restaurant. There are many ways that you can save money when eating out.

1. Check your local newspaper for advertised restaurant coupons.

2. Purchase a book, every year, that offers restaurant discounts. You can purchase one at http://www.entertainment.com. I use it all the time. There are restaurants in every price range. It's an incentive to try a new restaurant, when a party of two only pays for one main dish. The other one is complimentary. I own two books, which gives me many choices of places to eat out inexpensively all year round.

3. You can decide to eat early and save with an early-bird special, offered at many places.

4. Want to try a new restaurant? Get a recommendation from someone you know. That way, you're familiar with what's good to order, the price range and there won't be any surprises. You can also check prices and reviews in the Restaurant Category of this site.

5. Opt for lunch, which is usually cheaper.

6. Choose a restaurant with a "soup as a meal" option. You can find this on the menu at some Asian restaurants. They are very reasonably-priced and great when you don't want a full meal. I had one last night. It was wonderful with barbecue chicken, noodles and vegetables.

7. If you want wine with your meal, it can be the most expensive part of the bill. Find a "bring your own wine" restaurant in your area. Many cities have caught on to this concept.

Once you are seated at a restaurant, you can save money by following these tips:

1. Decide to share a meal. At many places, the main-dish portions are too large for one person. What I do is order one main dish to share and we each order an appetizer with it, such as soup or salad.

2. Check the specials of the day and if there are senior discount prices on the menu.

3. If you're not very hungry, you can skip the main dish and order an appetizer and dessert instead.

4. Instead of tea, order hot water and ask for lemon with it. There is no charge. I have a friend who does this all the time.

5. When you're at a restaurant for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, let the waiter know. They might offer a complimentary dessert.

6. Lastly, wait twenty minutes before ordering dessert after a meal. It takes that long for the brain to register that you're no longer hungry after eating. When you've spotted a dessert on the menu that you can't resist, relax for a while after the main course. You might decide not to have that decadent dessert after all. You'll benefit by saving money and also calories, which is good for your health.