How to Save Money Dining Out

When you go out to eat at a restaurant with a friend or companion there are a few tricks to saving money at a restaurant. These tips are really good for long time couples who are past the fancy dinner date phase.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. When ordering at a restaurant, always get water to drink, it is FREE!!! Ordering a soda can be an average of $3 per person. You have just saved $6 only your meal by not ordering soft drinks. If you order tea thinking it is free you better check because most restaurants also charge for tea.

2. Share a meal with your partner or friend. Most often restaurants give you huge portion sizes that are more than one nutritional serving so choose a pasta dish or something you know will be enough for two people.

3. If they ask you if you want a side salad or soup it may sound like it comes with your meal and they are simply giving you a choice of which one to pick, but you need to make sure you ask if it comes with the meal because it is common for a waiter or waitress to trick you into thinking something is included. Remember the larger the bill, the larger the tip you pay, so pay attention and ask for clarification when speaking with the waiter or waitress.

4. Don't order dessert or share one dessert.

5. Check your ticket at the end of the meal to see if the tip is included, you could end up paying two tips without even noticing if you don't check it out first.

[Beverlyz]

on 1/15/2009 Good info. and you are so right!!

[Good-MEdison]

on 1/15/2009 I love to eat out! These are great ideas. I never check my bill to see if the tip is included. I will now! Thanks and 5*