7 ways to save money while eating out

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Eat like a King, without Spending a Kings Ransom!

7 ways to save money while dining out. Dining out doesn't have to cost you a small fortune and you don't have to sacrifice Enjoyment, Quality of Food, or Service to do it either.

Be on the Look Out for Great Restaurant Promotions 

Stanford's_Gift_Cards


Stanford's has Great Food & Atmosphere but then throw in a great promotion like the one I recieved in the mail, and you have a restaurant A Cut Above the Rest. Just make sure you use them before they expire. With 2 Fifteen Dollar Savings Cards, my wife and I will be able to Dine in Style at Stanford's and then at New Port Bay for almost the same price as fast food. Don't forget to stop by there website to check out there Menu or give there general manager feedback on your dining experience

Stanford's_Gift_Cards2

Dinner Preparation Stores 

Restaurant Quality food at home is a Snap with Dream Dinners

While dining out has it's rewards like no cooking, no dirty dishes afterwords & no pots and pans to scrub, as well as great food. My friend Wanda recently gave me a gift that she had made. It was a home made Chicken Marsala dinner for two with instructions on how to prepare it at home.

It was very easy to prepare and just as good as any restaurant I have ever been to. The next day while at work. I graciously thanked her for the incredibly tasty dish, and then learned all about how she had made it at Dream Dinners. Dream Dinners provides everything you need to assemble delicious dinners for your family, store in your freezer and serve in the weeks ahead. They supply all of the essentials, from easy-to-follow instructions to fresh, pre-cut ingredients.

With the recent down turn in our economy, my friend Wanda said she and her husband were able to cut back on there dining expenses while still enjoying incredible meals and it's true! Yes they still dine out but when they're dinning in they still eat like a King and Queen. If you would like to know more about this service, I have placed a link below because great food while eating out or dinning in is something I think everyone wants to do and this can save you money & time.

Dream Dinners 

Dream Dinners
When you can't go for a fine dining experience, but you still want great food this service is the one to use!

Tip #1 Happy Hour 

If no children will be joining you this evening
ahhh yes a night out without the kiddies!
Then you should really think about going to a restaurant that has a happy hour and dining in the lounge area during that time.

This is my #1 tip because the price of your dining experience can be far lower than in the dining area and you'll still be getting excellent food and service.
Just make sure that you have your cocktails when you get home instead of paying a bundle for cocktails out, it's safer anyways! :)

Stanford's 

I went to Stanford's restaurant one evening with my wife, and found a couple of items that sounded really tasty on their happy hour menu. I assumed that the portions would be smaller because of the price so I ordered both.
Big Mistake, it was almost embarrassing how much food they brought to the table. So I would definitely recommend this eatery if you have one near you. Their website also posts their happy hour times on it.

Our Group 

Tip #2 Go out for lunch instead of dinner 

It used to be that breakfast was the most inexpensive meal to eat out. That has changed in my opinion, to lunch for some reason. I'm not sure why maybe it's because our work habits follow us home on the weekends so we just grab a bite to keep us going or just skip it entirely.

Either way, there are a lot of great deals and good sized portions to be found at most restaurants for lunch.
Especially on the weekend!

Please always keep this in mind, when you're thinking about going out to eat. Not only do you get more value for your money, most restaurants aren't as busy either. Which is another bonus for me anyways, You Pay less money and you get seated faster, Now what's Unpleasant about that!

Restaurant Freebies 

Online Dining Coupons and other Freebies

Free TGI Friday's Appetizer
Free Appetizer For joining TGI Friday's E-Club
Macaroni Grill's Free Appetizer
sign up take a survey and recieve a appetizer for free at the Macaroni Grill!
The Red Lobster Club
Sign up for the Club and Recieve
Alerts about special Red Lobster events. Be the first to know about what's going on at your favorite Red Lobster.

Automatic entry in the Passion Prize drawing. A dinner for two, a fresh lobster dinner delivered to your door, or a trip to a seaside escape - every member has a chance to win prizes that celebrate a passion for seafood.
Seasons 52 monthly newsletter
Sign-up and receive excellent tips and advice from this over the top Swanky restaurant. With their Free Newsletter.
Benihana Special Deal
Great Meal and Show, for One Low Price

Tip #3 Specials ahhh Yeah! 

With the magic of the Internet. Not only can you swim in a sea of useless information, but you can also check out your favorite restaurant specials in no time. Just be careful! Because there websites will make you hungry. At least they make me hungry!Most of the sites are easy to navigate and post their specials right on them. Some restaurants even mail out free appetizer coupons if you sign-up.

Tip #4 Eat Like a King Says!

Never order a Menu Special or other Menu Items based on price alone. If it doesn't sound appetizing when you read it on the menu, I doubt if the money you've saved, will make it appetizing when they bring it to your table. You probably won't eat or enjoy your dining experience if you do this so

Eat Like a King...Says
Just don't do it.

Tip #5 Save Money with Dining Coupons 

Make sure you check current mailings, newspaper ads, and online websites for coupons to use while dining out I use this method for trying new restaurants and save money at the same time. The savings on some dining coupons are huge, like buy one entree get the second one free and can cut your final bill by as much as 40%. It's just fun to get great Food, at an unbelievable price.

Another Great source for Dining Coupons is
The Entertainment 08' Dining and entertainment coupon book.
Entertainment 08'

Tip #6 Freebie Starters to get you going 

From Free Breadsticks at Olive Garden to Free Chips and Salsa at Chevy's. Starter freebies are always a great way to stretch your dining dollars so just keep these in mind when thinking about what sounds good this evening. There are many other deals, but these two never need a coupon and are great standards when dining on a budget.

Tip #7 Buffets, Sweet All you Can Eat Buffets! 

An affordable way to have a whole smorgasbord of food with dessert and coffee or soda. All for one set price. And the kiddies love it too. With a wide range of food to meet everyones taste and appetite.

Does your Weekly Coffee Fix Cost more than your Cable bill? 

A great way to cut the cost of your weekly Coffee Fix, is to make your own Gourmet Coffee at home. Now I know it's not as convenient or as simple, but there are a lot of Affordable Coffee Solutions at CoffeeForLess.com
and the amount of money you save on a weekly basis can be substantial.

 

Other Websites with Money Saving Tips 

Mr. Cheap Stuff
25 ways to save money - The Lazy Man's Way
Living Frugal
50 Tips for Frugal Living
another great resource

BON APPETITE... 

..is a food and entertaining magazine. Each issue covers America's culinary diversity by highlighting the country's restaurants, chefs and regional cuisines. Entertainment features also reflect the latest trends in casual and formal entertaining, including the best in wines and spirits, tableware and kitchen design. Regular travel pieces offer explorations into the sights and flavors of domestic and international destinations. Departments include quick menus, healthful cooking and what's new in the marketplace. Bon Appetit

Make Your Favorite Restaurant's Recipe at Home 

Having a huge selection of recipe's to make at home, instead of going out, can save you some big money as well. These 2 books are interpretation recipes of famous national restaurant Appetizers, Desserts & Main Coarses.
America's Most Wanted Recipes - Volume 1

America's Most Wanted Recipes - Volume 1

by: Ron Douglas

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

America's Most Wanted Recipes - Volume 2

America's Most Wanted Recipes - Volume 2

by: Ron Douglas

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

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