Top 5 Tips to Help You Dine Out for Less

It’s always great to go out to eat every once in a while. You can appreciate some solitude while also enjoying a good meal. If you’re with your significant other and/or family, you can also enjoy their company while others prepare and deliver a meal right to your table.

However, dining out can be expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to trim those costs.

Here are the top 5 tips to help you dine out for less.

1. Drink Water

Although you might enjoy quenching your thirst with an ice-cold Coca Cola or nursing one of the several adult libations that a restaurant has to offer, you’d be surprised at how much money you can save if you just drink the stuff that Mother Nature provides: water.

The reality is that the markup on the beverages you drink at a restaurant is astonishing. You’re paying way more than you should just to quench your thirst. That’s why you should drink water.

Make sure you get tap water, though. If you ask for bottled water, you’re going to spend additional money.

Keep in mind that serving water doesn’t work for every occasion. If you’re looking for wedding food ideas, you’re going to want some good drinks at that event.

2. Look for Specials

You can shop at restaurants the same way that you (hopefully) shop for groceries. Look for the best deals at the best places during the best times.

You might find that one restaurant is offering a “Buy one, get the second one half off” when it comes to dinner specials. Other restaurants have daily specials where the markup is minimal.

Heck, there might even be someone in your area who decided to start a food truck and you’ll find some great food there at rock-bottom prices.

3. Use Coupons

Some restaurants offer coupons; be sure to look for them in your Sunday paper.

Of course, this is also the digital age. You can download apps that offer you coupons to some of your favorite restaurants. Again, you might find that economies of scale apply with “buy one, get one” deals, but that’s worth it if you’re taking your entire family out for dinner.

Keep in mind that if you decide to do some extreme restaurant couponing, you’ll save a significant amount of money while eating out.

4. Join Loyalty Programs

Many restaurants are just like grocery stores in this way: they have loyalty programs.

If you want to save some money at a restaurant you really like, join the loyalty program and eat there regularly. You’ll earn freebies as you rack up points.

5. Go During Happy Hour

It’s not just bars that have Happy Hours. Some restaurants have them as well. That’s especially true of restaurants that have bars on site.

Find out if and when your favorite restaurants have Happy Hours. Then, make it a point to eat there during those hours.

It’s always good to get out of the kitchen and go to a restaurant where you can let someone else cook a great meal for you. Just make sure that you don’t bust your budget in the process.