4 tips for saving money on your restaurant bills

Eating out can feel like a luxury, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Discover how to enjoy a restaurant meal out without stressing your finances.

Restaurants are notorious for serving portions that are too large for one person to eat. If you want to save some money on a meal out, try splitting an entree with a partner or dinner companion. Most likely, the meal itself will be big enough for each of you split into two.

• If not, it's always possible to eat bread, order a side dish or have dessert in order to fill up without spending too much.
• If you're eating alone, consider ordering an appetizer for your meal. Chances are, it'll be big enough to satisfy you.

Alcohol at restaurants is often overpriced and it's not a necessary part of enjoying a meal. If you want to keep costs down, consider drinking water and skipping a drink.

• If you want to drink with dinner, consider looking for a BYOB establishment and bringing your own bottle.
• Or, eat dinner and then have friends over for a drink after.
• Buying a bottle of wine at a wine shop or liquor store is often cheaper than having one glass of wine at a restaurant.

Many restaurants offer deals like early-bird specials or late-night discounts. Do some research online about local deals at restaurants, then take advantage of those.

• While many restaurants don't do huge advertising efforts to push discounted meals, there are many that are out there, which would allow you to eat delicious food at a more affordable price.

If you simply want to eat at a restaurant and don't have a specific plan, choose to eat out at lunchtime.

• Lunch portions at restaurants are significantly cheaper than dinner portions and they often offer the same dining options at a much lower price.

In fact, according to reports, lunch menus at restaurants are about 25 per cent cheaper than dinner menus. Try to schedule lunch dates rather than dinner dates and enjoy cooking dinner at your own home.

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