Many of us spend a lot of our money on food, especially when eating out. This doesn’t have to be the case though. There are many things you can do that can significantly reduce the amount of money you pay on your next restaurant meal.

1. Eat Around A Large College Campus
Large college campuses are a great place to find a wide variety of food at great prices. Because there are so many students, staff, locals, and visitors on college campuses there need to be a lot of restaurants to serve them all. Having so many restaurants offers great variety and drives prices down. Most restaurants on campus will have fairly priced meals because college students can’t always spend a lot. If you have any large college campuses nearby, it would be well worth your while to take a visit.

2. Use Coupons (Sunday Newspaper And Coupon Sites)
Search your newspaper and coupon websites for special promotions and coupons restaurants have. There are many occasions for having coupons and special promotions including restaurant openings, new menu offerings, and holidays. A lot of times, restaurants take a loss with coupons and promotions, which mean you can benefit greatly and eat for far less than you normally could.

3. Avoid Buying Soft Drinks And Alcohol
Restaurants enjoy high profit margins on their soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and yet, people still buy them. It is true that having a beer or a glass of wine can really add to a meal, but it also can really add to your bill. Try to drink ice water instead and spend your saved money on a nice bottle of wine or a case of imported beer to enjoy later.

Remember, you pay more money at a restaurant to enjoy foods you can’t enjoy at your home. Why pay more money at a restaurant to enjoy the same drinks you can enjoy at home?

4. Eat At Restaurants With Family Style Portions
Restaurants often serve meal portions that are too large for most people. The simplest solution to this problem is to order less and share. You’ll spend less and enjoy several dishes at once while keeping portion sizes within reason. Sharing food is also a fun way to explore a restaurant’s menu with your friends.

5. Take Out
One of the easiest ways to save money when dining out is to do take out. You don’t have to pay a tip and if the weather is nice, you can enjoy a little picnic outside. You can also take your food home and enjoy it with a drink without having to pay a high markup at the restaurant for the same thing.

6. Dine Out At The Right Time Of Day And Week
Time of day and weekly specials are great because they are reoccurring and never require coupons. For time of day specials, look for early bird specials, lunch specials, and happy hour specials. These are often the best specials restaurants offer and can save you a lot of money. During the week, look for Tuesday specials and try to avoid eating out on the weekends.

7. Try Something New
People often times get in a rut when it comes to eating out. They’ll go to the same restaurants time and time again and forget about trying anything new. This can cost you some money because there are bound to be restaurants out there that serve bigger portions of better food for lower prices. So get out there and try something new. Try driving out of town or reading up on the newest restaurants opening in your area. You might be missing out.

8. Complain To The Manager If You Get Bad Service/Food
If anything is wrong with your meal or service, ask your waiter to speak to the manager and let him/her know what was wrong with your meal. Make sure your complaint is valid and be prepared to explain it clearly. There is a chance you can get a free dessert, drink, or entire meal out of it. Keep in mind that some restaurant managers might take offense to any complaints, no matter how valid, so use caution if you decide to try this.

9. Take Advantage Of Age Specials
If you are a kid, student, or senior, eat at restaurants that have specials for you. Many restaurants have specials for these age groups and can save a lot of money. Also, no matter what your age is, most restaurants have special freebies if it’s your birthday.

10. Become A Regular
Becoming a regular means you can get special service and free menu items too. This doesn’t always happen, but can be a great way to get more for the money you spend. To become a regular, first find a non-chain restaurant to start going to. It’s important to go to a non-chain restaurant specifically because chain restaurants have tighter restrictions on giving free food/drinks. After finding a good restaurant, start going there at least once a week. Be friendly to the wait staff and tip at least 20% of your bill. Talk with your servers and show an interest in them. If you do this well enough, the friendships you build can lead to some nice freebies.