Dine in Style Without Breaking the Bank

People want to save money wherever they can these days -- and one of the easiest places to cut is the amount they spend at restaurants.

The cost of eating out continues to rise, as restaurants have to pay more for basic staples like wheat, corn, flour and rice. The National Restaurant Association reports that average menu prices increased 3.9% in 2007. Similar increases are expected for 2008.

One way to reduce these costs is to simply not eat out and make more meals at home, but there are also plenty of ways to save money when dining out that don't take much effort. By knowing the ways you can cut costs when ordering a meal, you can enjoy your favorite restaurants for a fraction of the price. So, you can still indulge from time to time, even when on a budget.

Here are 10 ways to go about it. ...