I know what you’re thinking. Dining out should mean spending money, not saving money. In the blogosphere, some people tend to disagree.

Personal finance blog Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Money has published an article called “Save 50% When You Dine Out” detailing several tricks and tips for eating out that will help to make the night special without completely destroying your credit rating.

Many of the tips require outside preparation, so if eating out is more of a convenience than a simultaneous event and budgetary concern, perhaps these tips are not for you.

However, if going out to a restaurant is a big and increasingly rare event in your household, then the article offers a plethora of ways to get the most out of your experience without regretting it the next morning.

LLPM recommends buying appetizers at the grocery store or a specialty shop and begininng your meal before you even leave your home. Many restaurants now have a line of their own starters in the frozen food section, so this should be a complete snap. And it helps for you to not be completely starving while you wait for your table and then for your food to be served.

LLPM also recommends having any pre-dinner drinks at home, and if you plan on drinking wine with dinner don’t be afraid to B.Y.O.W! That’s right–bring your own wine. Apparently, it’s not unheard of.

Some of the tips seem like they might take away from the experience of eating out, especially if they require you to think ahead and do some of the work yourself at home. But if it’s going to save you $50-$60, then why not?

To read the complete list of tips, click here.

Image: ixpats.com

Tags: Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Money, RacerX, eating out, save money, dining out, budgeting, personal finance

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