Discover these 15 Simple Strategies to Keep Your Wallet Happy While Dining Out!

Title: Top 15 Shortcuts to Spend Less at Restaurants

Peckish for some savings? You can definitely trim your food budget and still enjoy dining out. Here’s how:

1. **Hunt for Deals Online**: Most restaurants have their discounts and offers sections tucked within their websites. Look for pages titled “deals”, “specials”, or “coupons” before you go. Many times, downloadable or smartphone-displayed coupons are right there!

2. **Sign Up for Restaurant Emails**: Lots of eateries reward email subscribers with exclusive deals or even free dishes for signing up. If the restaurant has a social media account or app, following these might also serve up some juicy savings.

3. **Buy Discounted Gift Cards**: Websites like Raise and Rakuten let you purchase gift cards for less than face value. You’re spending less for the same value. And Rakuten even offers cash back on Raise purchases. Nice, eh?

4. **Cash-In with Cash Back Credit Cards**: Pay using your cash back credit card to earn extra reward points or cash. Some credit cards offer higher returns at restaurants too.

5. **Opt for Takeout**: Eating at home can cut costs on beverages, desserts, and tips. You’ll enjoy your favorite meals for less, without the extra costs.

6. **Lunch over Dinner**: Lunch menus often cost less with almost the same portion of your favorite meals. When you can, plan to dine out at lunchtime.

7. **Choose Water**: A small change, but skipping the soda for a free glass of water can make a big difference in your dining budget in the long run.

8. **Pass on the Alcohol**: Booze at restaurants often markups. If you skip it or wait till you get home, you’ll save some dollars.

9. **Find the Specials**: Look for days when your favorite restaurants offer deals like ‘kids eat free’ or ‘happy hour discounts’. It helps plan better and save!

10. **Order Special Deals**: You might find 2-for-$20 deals or other bundle offers running sometimes. Not just a fun variety but also a good deal!

11. **Freebies on Your Birthday**: Lots of eateries treat you with something free on your special day. Make sure to take advantage of that!

12. **Avoid Tourist Traps**: Prices at restaurants in tourist destinations are usually high. Try finding a local favorite in such cases, it might be just a few blocks away.

13. **Use Restaurant.com**: This website lets you purchase vouchers worth more at a cheaper price. Make sure you check the terms before buying!

14. **Try iDine**: Get 5% or 10% cashback at certain restaurants when you create an iDine account, link it to your credit card, and leave a review.

15. **Browse Groupon and Living Social**: These websites offer time-limited deals on restaurants. Keep checking for any attractive offers and terms.

**Extra Hacks**: Combine multiple rewards for grand savings! For instance, using your cash back credit card to purchase a discounted gift card on Raise via Rakuten can save you a lot of money!

Bottom line – with a bit of planning, you can enjoy restaurant food more often and still keep your savings goal on track.