photo by AMagill
One of the most common money leaks in the family budget is frequent dining out at restaurants. For many, cutting it from the budget entirely isn’t a viable option, so I’m sharing some frugal solutions that can make eating out lighter on your wallet.

PLATE SHARE: Share an entree. We always drink water instead of soda, too. — Deb, Kansas

Ask for an extra plate and let the little ones eat off your plate instead of buying them their own separate kid’s meal that they only half eat anyway. If you have two little ones, they could split one kid’s meal. — cdmom, North Carolina

KIDS EAT FREE: If you have children, look for family-friendly places that have kids-eat-free nights. Also, skip the appetizers and don’t order desserts. — MrsMcdowell, Iowa

EAT LIGHT: I often get an appetizer, a small salad and water. — cab54, e-mail

USE COUPONS: We never go out to eat unless we have a coupon. We do tip 20 percent before the coupon, though. –Debra, Nebraska

TWO MEALS IN ONE: Many restaurants offer entrees with a small additional amount to add on the all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar or complimentary foods, such as chips and dips or bread. You can fill up on the soup and salad bar and complimentary foods and take the entree home for another meal. Many restaurants offer senior discounts for those 55 and older. Eat at home and go out for coffee and dessert, too. — Staceyy, Pennsylvania

DISCOUNTED GIFT CERTIFICATES: We usually frequent restaurants from which we can buy a restaurants.com gift certificate. They are always discounted, and there is usually a code on top of that, so when a $25 gift certificate goes to $4, I buy one. Usually, you have to spend a minimum of $35, but, still, a $35 meal for $14 is a steal. Last time we had family in town, we got one for the local pizza place, and we fed seven people two extra-large pizzas, pop, tip, etc., for $18. — Denise, Colorado

GO DURING HAPPY HOUR: I’ve ordered appetizers in the bar during happy hour. I can usually get it for half the menu price and rarely order an alcoholic beverage. — Jenna, e-mail

ASK ABOUT SPECIALS: It never hurts to ask whether they sell lunch portion/prices at dinnertime. I know at some restaurants you can order from the lunch menu at night. Less food and lower prices. At other restaurants, on the weekend, you can order off the lunch menu until about 3 p.m. — Sunshinemb, Michigan

SMALLER PORTIONS: If I eat out and want fast food, I order kid’s meals for myself and for my child. Also, remember to sign kids up for the birthday club and get a free kid’s meal each year on their birthday. — Handymom, e-mail

MAKE CHOICES: Consider how many hours you have to work in order to eat out and decide whether it is worth it. — Freesiae, Kentucky

CUT BACK ON FREQUENCY: I would say to limit the visits. I like to enjoy myself when I eat out, not worry about the cost. So I limit my visits; then I can have the best of both. — Annymoll, e-mail

EAT EARLY: We try and go eat dinner at 3:45 p.m., because at 4 p.m., the same buffet goes up $2.50 per plate. So, in the end, we save. — Brenda, Arkansas

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