Dine in Style Without Breaking the Bank

Take leftovers home: If splitting a meal in a restaurant makes you feel uncomfortable, getting a full-sized meal with the intent of taking home a portion can also save money. This will mean that you will have a meal to take to work the next day so that you don't need to make or buy one.

Take advantage of discount programs: There are a number of discount programs that provide discounts at restaurants. Programs like Cozmo Card , Entertainment and Restaurant.com can all give you significant savings at a restaurant if you learn to incorporate their restaurant savings when you dine out.

Avoid major holidays: When money gets tight, many people reserve dining out to special events and holidays. This can actually cost you more. Holidays and special events like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day are the busiest times for restaurants, which means that restaurants will often have special, limited menus that cost more than their usual fare. By changing your special meal to a day ahead or a day after, you'll save money while also avoiding the crowds and long waits that come with the special holidays.

Change times: Most people think about dining out as an evening event, but if you can change yours to morning or lunch, you can dine for a lot less. Most restaurants' breakfast and lunch menus are less expensive than their dinner equivalent, and they will often have specially prices meals during these times.

Give feedback: Restaurants want feedback because it helps them know what they are doing correctly and where they can make improvements, but most people never take the time let a restaurant know.

If the restaurant has a feedback card, take the time to honestly fill it out. Sometimes the receipt you receive will have information on it where you can give feedback. You can also take the initiative and write a letter directly to the restaurant.

While you won't always receive something for your effort, you'd be surprised at how many times a thank-you response will arrive with discount coupons enclosed.

All it takes to save money is to remind yourself to break from the habits you have formed when ordering at restaurants in the past. By incorporating a few of these check management ideas into your dining out, especially in combination, you can still have a quality meal without paying full price.