Eating out will always be more expensive than preparing food at home, but the reality of most of our lives is that going to restaurants is an enjoyable social event—and, as long as you don’t make a habit of eating out, you can enjoy yourself without completely blowing your budget.

The internet is full of detailed strategies for frugal folks interested in saving money on restaurant tips. Here’s a summary of some of those tricks:

• Check your cards. Many credit cards with rewards programs offer incentives for eating at restaurants, but not all are good deals—make sure you know where to get updated lists of what vendors count toward your points and where you can redeem them. And remember: unless you pay your balance in full each month, using a card for its rewards is not a good idea.
• Invest in coupons. Many schools sell Entertainment books as fundraisers. To make the most of these, visit the book’s web site (entertainment.com) to see what offers are available, and then decide whether to buy. If you like the restaurants listed, you can likely save the purchase price in two meals. (The books are also available for purchase online.)
• Go online. Sites like Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com allow you to sign up for free daily coupon offers to restaurants in your area. These are often very valuable (some get you more than 50 percent off), but you have to be patient to get one that interests you. The site Restaurant.com allows you to buy restaurant vouchers at steep discounts (for example, you’d pay $10 for a $25 voucher). There are some rules, though, so be sure to make sure you understand how they work before purchasing. Also, GrubHub.com lets you not only order food from your computer but browse by locations that have coupons available. (Keep in mind the services offered by these sites may not be available in all areas.)
• Look at the Calendar. Many cities in the U.S. have regular Restaurant Weeks, during which fancy restaurant offer prix fixe menus for lunch or dinner, generally at a significant savings of what a normal meal would cost. This is a great way to try food you might not otherwise be able to afford. Many restaurants also offer specials during the week, often on traditionally “slow” nights like Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Lose Your Head

Keep in mind that these are all good ways to save money at restaurants, but only if you would have eaten out anyway, and only if you maintain your normal level of frugality while dining. If you’re struggling with debt or recovering from bankruptcy, it may be best to stick with beans and rice. Splurging on fancier food (and more of it) because you have a discount can quickly cancel any savings.

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