by Barry Tadmore

Created on: August 13, 2008

The terms "save money" and "eating out" are an an oxy-moron. The best way to save money is to eat in, which is much cheaper. However, eating out is a luxery and we all want it. It would be very naive to pretend that everyone can cook and stay in every night. So instead, I'll give a few tips on saving money when you do decide to take your appetite out.

EAT WITH COUPONS

"Buy One Get One Free" coupons are all over for a lot of restaurants. By doing this, you're automatically saving 50% on your dining bill. Finding coupons can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Go to www.entertainment.com and you will be able to buy an Entertainment Book. This potentially provides thousands of dollars of savings, all for only $25-$40. The up-front cost will save you a lot of money in the long run. Every time my wife and I eat out, we see if there is a corresponding coupon for that restaurant. We also flip through the book and find coupons to restaurants we've never tried, which allows us to try new places all the time.

CUT DOWN ON BUYING DRINKS
Regardless of what you choose to drink, its very easy to save money simply by cutting down-or out-that beverage and replace it with free water. For example, I love Pepsi. I like to drink it everywhere I go. But most places now charge $2.00 or so for that soda. To save money, I mostly drink water when I go to restaurants. After all, I can drink a soda anytime. Or perhaps you like to order a few beers. Rather than order two beers spread throughout dinner, why not just order one and have water the rest of the time?

EAT LESS
We are an overweight society in which we tend to overindulge, especially if you're living in the United States. As a result, demand for increased portions continue to climb. Most restaurants you visit will have portion sizes so big, you can't finish it. Right after your hunger fades and right before feeling full, stop eating and ask for a doggy bag. You have now made two meals out of one. Or you can split a meal. When my wife and I go to breakfast, I get an omelette. But it comes with hashbrowns, meat, more eggs, and pancakes. My wife loves pancakes, so she eats those and the eggs while we split the hashbrowns. We then only eat one meal together, and it saves us some serious dough!

CHEAPEN YOUR TASTES
A lot of people think its important to go to fancy restaurants and order the high-class entrees. But is it worth the extra money? There are a lot of places that make a decent steak or cook up a good hamburger. Should you spend more by going to a place that has decided its higher class that another restaurant? I choose not to. As a result, I get to go out twice as often. That's more important to me.

REMEMBER THE TIP RULE
The most important thing to realize about all of these options is that you will have to pay 15-20% for a tip. I choose to pay 20% because I used to work in the restaurant industry and I know how hard servers usually work. So a meal that might cost $9.99 on the menu will really cost me $11.99. The $2.00 soda will cost me $2.40. All of that really adds up.

Take advantage of the tips above, and you'll find yourself saving a lot of money! It might even be enough to go eat out again!

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