by Cathleene Filmore

Created on: September 16, 2010

Dining out does not have to be expensive, in fact it does not have to cost you anything more than the tip.  There are several ways that you can dine out and save at great restaurants.  Simply by planning ahead, shopping online and choosing when to dine you can save anywhere from 50 – 75 percent on your dining experience.

Pre purchase At a Website

There are websites such as Restaurants.com where you can save up to 75 percent on fine dining in your area simply by purchasing a gift certificate ahead of time.  The gift certificates are sold in increments of $25 so make sure you know the menu so that you can purchase enough to cover your entire meal.

Websites such as Buy with Me and Groupon offer a similar service but instead of purchasing gift cards you will bid on a dining experience. When enough consumers bid at the same price then the rate is locked in and you are cleared for purchase.

Pay with Points

Another way to save on great restaurants is to use bank and travel points.  Points are available on just about every type of account these days and if you are not using them you are really missing out.  Chase Bank offers a rewards account with an annual fee of $25.  On average you receive 4 points for every dollar you spend on your debit card, yes debit not credit, and for every 10,000 points you can choose about a $25 gift card to the restaurant of your choice.  If the restaurant is more expensive you may need two cards but hey, it is a free meal for spending your own money.

Time of Day

Many times you can save up to 50 percent at great restaurants simply by choosing to dine before 3 o’clock because you can order off the lunch menu.  Likewise if the restaurant is open for breakfast you may save even more as breakfast is the least expensive meal of the day.  Some very nice restaurants even allow you to order off the lunch menu on the weekend.

Time of Week

Many great restaurants offer specials on weeknights as this is when they are least busy.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are the least busy nights of the week.  kids eat free.  Many fine restaurants offer a night of the week when kids eat free and this could lesson your total bill by about 50 percent.

Coupons and Entertainment Books

Coupons and Entertainment Books are a great way to save on dinning out. Coupons for local restaurants can be found on websites such as Valpak and Retail Me Not for a percentage off

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>