Dine in Style Without Breaking the Bank

Appetizer dining has long been around as a way to sample a variety of a restaurant's offerings (and tapas-style dining takes it to another level), but it's enjoying a renewed popularity with more people trying to save money. Prices for appetizers are usually significantly less than a full meal price, and many restaurants offer specials on them.

Coffee and dessert at home: Coffee and dessert are some of the most expensively marked-up items on restaurant menus. One easy way to save money when dining out is to simply save the coffee and dessert for when you get home. This also allows you to have your favorite dessert while saving money since purchasing directly from a bakery (or making your own) will be much less expensive than purchasing it at a restaurant.

Pass on alcohol: Like dessert, alcohol is expensive when dining out. Instead, choose a nonalcoholic drink such as iced tea, which many restaurants provide with unlimited refills.

If you really want to go frugal, you can skip the drink altogether and ask for a glass of water. You can then split a bottle of wine when you return home that will be of higher quality for less money.

Split meals: If you follow the advice and have a small snack before going out to eat, you may be in a position to split a meal with the person you're dining with instead of each getting a full meal. Because restaurant meals tend to be oversized, it's a great way to save money and not eat more than you need to.