Eating out is usually more expensive than buying food and preparing a meal at home. Those who like to eat out at least once a week can try several saving strategies to stretch their budgets.

Join a loyalty program.

Restaurants may have loyalty programs that reward repeat customers. Diners who provide contact information like an email address may be eligible for coupons on meals as well as advanced notice of certain menu changes or promotions. While being a loyalty program member may cause you to be placed on an advertisement mailing list, the coupons offered and savings reaped could be well worth the added spam.

Scour for coupons.

Newspapers and direct-home mailers frequently feature coupons for dining out at various local and chain restaurants. Some establishments even include coupons on their takeout menus. Coupons help reduce the cost of meals considerably, especially if you will be dining with the entire family or a large party.

Time your dining experience wisely.

Restaurants may offer discounts to diners who eat out on slower nights of the week, such as Monday or Tuesday. There also may be promotions based on the time you head to the restaurant. For example, a restaurant may offer drink specials or free appetizers during off-peak hours. Early bird specials are often offered for those who arrive for dinner before 6 p.m. while bars often have happy hour promotions during which drinks are heavily discounted.

Split meals.

Restaurant portions today are much larger than in years past. Two people may be satisfied sharing one entree instead of ordering two. Some restaurants will not add a plate-sharing fee, while others may. But sharing fees are still likely to cost less money than a second entree. And sharing a meal is good for your waistline as well as your wallet.

Skip soft drinks.

Many restaurants make the bulk of their money through drink sales. A soda or a glass of iced tea may cost as much as $3 at certain restaurants. Save some money by opting for plain water instead of costly drinks, especially when dining out with a number of people. Alcoholic beverages will cost even more. If you’re on a budget, skip these types of drinks.

Save dessert for home.

Although many restaurants bake their own desserts on the premises, many save time by ordering bulk-size desserts from warehouse stores. You can probably get the same dessert for less if you do your own shopping. Opt to have dessert at home to save a little money.

Choose high-maintenance dishes.

If you will be dining out, get the most for your money by opting for intricate dishes you may not be inspired to make at home. Don’t spend valuable dining out dollars on foods you can just as easily make at home.

Select foods that can be reheated.

Taking leftovers home enables you to enjoy two meals for one price. However, if the food you choose does not reheat easily or may not taste the same the next day, you may end up dreading your doggy bag.

Make lunch your big meal.

At many restaurants, lunch menu items are a few dollars cheaper than items on the dinner menu. So fill up on lunch and have dinner at home. 

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