Eating out

[KiwiJo09]

My husband and I have weekly dates to keep the flame burning. We only eat out once a week (because we were spending too much when we didn't limit ourselves this way). I was wondering if there's a way (other than not going out at all) to be more frugal about eating out.

[khosta]

Make a delicious dinner at home or order your favorite pizza and have a picnic dinner on the beach under the stars!!! I surprised my boyfriend and did that once... I cooked some pasta and made a nice chef salad and brought a bottle of wine! He loved it! And it's way cheaper than going out!!! And romantic too!! That'll light the flame!!!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Maybe just go out for dessert.

[MonkeyMama]

We go out on lunch dates. Much cheaper. With coupons - always. Usually buy one, get one free. THe coupons abound in this economy.

The picnic idea is good.

We do meet at home for lunch sometimes, when we've run through the eating out budget. (Work week).

Cooking dinner for each other is always nice.

Go for a walk? Watch the stars? There's plenty more to do than just eat.

[cschin4]

You can have date night that involves other activities besides just eating out. We have a local community theater where you can see plays for very little. Cook a nice dinner at home , then go to the play. Or, plan activities together such as hiking, biking, etc. Play some board games, go cheer the local football team, etc. Check out your local chamber of commerce, there are tons of activities right in your own neighborhood that you don't know about.

[marvholly]

I think many of the ideas offered for free/inexpensive things to do are good.Also, the local park district and library offer plays, lectures and movies.

However, if you want that special night/meal out then sites such as resturaunt.com. groupon and living social have GREAT 40-60% off deals at many places in my area. Check them for your area.

[KiwiJo09]

These are some great ideas. I joined groupon maybe a month ago and think it's great. Now I just need to have money when they send me those deals! LOL. I really appreciate the ideas. Thanks!

[MonkeyMama]

I'll second restaurant.com.

They have promos where you can get $25 meals for $3-ish? I haven't bought a restaurant.com gift certificate in a while, but have used them in the past.

[littleroc02us]

Make a competition out of it. Every other week each of us gets to choose where were going, and we compete to see who can find the cheapest but good quality night out. It is possible with coupons and timing and such.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

This thread saved me an extra $3 the day it was posted. DH and I had a $10 gift card for Red Lobster and were going for lunch there. The reminder to use coupons sent me to the internet where I found a coupon for $3 off two lunches. So $13 total discount....Unfortunately, I was a little dissatisfied with the meal, as I was last time I ate there.

[Ima saver]

WE pack a picnic dinner and go to the park to eat. Sometimes, we will get 2 blimpie 6" subs, take our own chips, wine and go to some great mountain view property we own. We take chairs and a little table (actually we leave them there) and eat out under the stars and enjoying the views.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I buy expensive food like lobster or steak and eat at home. still pricey but cheaper than going out. Or restaurant week is coming here.

also personally we go out for food we can't make. And for us ethnic foods can be difficult to make

[Stump1000]

One way you can save when eating out is by ordering water. I usually get it with lemon and its pretty good even if its tap water.

[disneysteve]

I was wondering if there's a way (other than not going out at all) to be more frugal about eating out.

Sure.

Drink water. If you must have alcohol, only go to BYOB places.
Use coupons. Especially since the recession hit, more and more restaurants are putting coupons in local papers and those Money Mailer packs.
Find places that offer prix fixe deals.
Take advantage of early bird specials.
Share. This is probably the best savings. Restaurant portions are huge, way too much for one person. Get one appetizer and one entree and you'll easily feed two people.
Skip dessert. Cheaper and healthier that way.
Make sure to take home and use any leftovers. That way you get more than one meal out of the deal.

[GREENBACK]

We often have only an appetizer. There are appetizer choices on many menus that are virtually a meal for 2. They are typically priced much cheaper than the 'Entree's. As for drinks, I usually get water with lemon. You can even sweeten it with the sugar packs on most tables(ok, it's cheapskate lemonade, bad habit from college years.). If I want an alcoholic drink I almost always get a draught beer. I only get wine or hard liquor if it's a special occasion. This has to be one of the biggest ripoffs around.