Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Whether you’re trying to save money or are learning to live within your means after filing bankruptcy, sticking with a strict budget can be a hard task. Often, when cutting your food and entertainment budget, dining out is first on the chopping block.

Certainly eating at home can be a great way to save money, but your social life doesn’t need to be eliminated completely. Here are a few ways you can flex your dining dollar without going for broke.

Lunch is Cheaper than Dinner

Planning to meet up with friends over a meal? Make it a lunch date. Lunches at restaurants can be half as expensive as dinners for a similar amount of food.

Beverages Add Up

Adding a drink to your meal may not seem like a big deal, but it can add a lot to the bottom line. Drinking water instead of soda will not only help keep price down, it’s also healthier. Or try a BYOB restaurant to cut down on alcohol expense.

Ask for the Special

The daily special is a good way to try new dishes—usually at a discount. From main dishes to appetizers to drinks, you may be surprised what your favorite spots have on special.

Dine on Appetizers

Ever order an appetizer with your meal only to discover you’re full before the entree arrives? Learn from that experience—skip the entree and feast on the appetizer.

Explore Local Spots

Local restaurants are a great way to try new types of food without bursting your budget. A “hole-in-the-wall” place in your neighborhood may offer great daily specials, and may just become your favorite place to eat out (on occasion).

Find Free Food

Lots of bars offer free or extremely cheap food on weeknights as a way to draw in customers, often with no minimum drink requirement. Browse the internet for local food calendars, and eat out every day of the week for less than $20.

Tip Well

Okay, it’s may not make your meal cheaper, but a good tip will make your dining experience more enjoyable for everyone. A tip (15% for good service) should already be included in your dining budget, and is extra-important if you plan on returning to the restaurant!

Don’t Pay with Credit

Short on cash but still in the mood to eat out? Well, better hope your date is paying. Putting a meal on credit may seem like an easy solution, but add to credit card debt and you’ll be paying interest on a meal you ate months ago.