5 Unique Ways to Save When Dining Out

Let’s save when dining out

How to save when dining out

Dining out doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. Over the years, as we clawed our way out of debt and learned how to stay debt-free, we cracked the code on saving money while still enjoying a meal out.

Sure, the internet is flooded with the usual tips—order water instead of soda, go for happy hour deals, split an entrée like it’s a rom-com date night. We’ve seen them all. But we wanted more. So, we did our homework, put our money-saving skills to the test, and came up with two game-changing dining-out hacks you won’t find anywhere else.

Because let’s be real—saving money shouldn’t mean eating sad, flavorless meals at home forever.

5 unique ways to save when dining out

1. Split meals

Our favorite—and most-used—dining-out hack? Splitting meals. It’s the perfect two-for-one deal: we save money and accidentally practice portion control (because, let’s be honest, restaurant portions are basically designed to feed a small village).

Since we’re all about balancing our love of food with our love of not going broke, we stick to our go-to spots: Garbanzo’s, Chipotle, and a local gem called Spicy Bombay. At each of these places, we can split a meal and walk away full for under $12 total—that’s just $6 each!

Now, Chipotle does tend to be our high-roller splurge spot. Why? Because we simply cannot resist adding salsa, guac, and chips to our order. (I mean, what kind of monsters would we be if we skipped the guac?) So, while our usual split strategy works, we’re willing to stretch the budget slightly in the name of creamy avocado goodness.

2. Have apps and drinks out, eat dinner at home

One of our all-time favorite dining-out hacks? Skipping the pricey main course and eating it at home instead.

Here’s how we make it work: We’ll hop on our bikes (or take a nice walk, because #fitness) to one of our favorite restaurants, grab an appetizer to share, and enjoy a drink or two. Then, on the way home, we’ll swing by the store to pick up something fresh to throw on the grill—think juicy steaks or a beautiful salmon filet—plus some fresh veggies to round it out.

Not only does this keep our budget in check, but it also makes for a healthier and more fun date night. We get a little exercise, enjoy the restaurant’s ambiance without the hefty bill, and finish the evening with a delicious homemade meal. Add a bottle of wine? Perfection.

Want to flip the script? Do the reverse! Eat a homemade meal first, then take a post-dinner stroll (or bike ride) to grab dessert out. Because let’s be honest—sometimes you just need a fancy slice of cheesecake without the side of sticker shock.

3. Use only cash

If you’ve read 4: The Four Principles of a Debt Free Life, you already know our mantra: Cash is king. And no, not in a “stuff-your-mattress-with-bills” kind of way, but in the “spend smarter, not harder” way.

Science backs us up on this one—studies show that people overspend by 12%–18% when swiping a card instead of using cold, hard cash. Why? Because handing over actual bills hurts more than tapping a piece of plastic (or worse, just waving your phone near a payment terminal like it’s Monopoly money).

As we’ve shared, David spills our go-to formula for covering tax and tip when dining out with cash—so you never come up short and end up awkwardly fishing for spare change under the table. With this trick, you get all the benefits of sticking to a budget without skimping on tipping your hardworking server. Because being debt-free shouldn’t come at the cost of good karma!

4. Crawl

You won’t find this dining-out savings hack anywhere else, and trust us—it’s a game-changer. We call it the Progressive Dinner on a Budget.

Here’s the plan: Choose three to five restaurants you want to hit in one night. In advance, scout out the cheapest but still delicious option for each course—maybe a $5 happy hour appetizer at one spot, a budget-friendly entrée special at the next, and a dessert you can split at the last. Bonus points, if you sync your courses with daily specials, coupons, or Groupon, deals to squeeze every last drop of savings out of the night.

It’s like a mini food tour, but you’re strategically hacking the system instead of draining your wallet. Plus, it makes for a super fun night out with friends or your man (because let’s be real, variety is the spice of life).

But fair warning—the more people you invite, the riskier this gets. What starts as a frugal foodie adventure can quickly turn into an all-out “YOLO, let’s get another round!” situation. So, if your goal is to save money, keep it intimate—or designate a budget-conscious friend to be the official “No, we don’t need that extra bottle of wine” voice of reason.

5. Order efficiently

Our final—and second totally unique—dining-out savings hack is ordering efficiently. This is why you’ll rarely catch me ordering chicken or spaghetti at a restaurant. Why? Because I can make those at home for a fraction of the price—and let’s be honest, paying $15 for a glorified bowl of pasta I could whip up in 15 minutes doesn’t sit right with my soul (or my wallet).

Same goes for overpriced salads. I refuse to drop serious cash on a bowl of iceberg lettuce when I know the same one costs $0.80 at the store. If I’m dining out, I’m getting my money’s worth—something unique, something challenging to cook at home, or something that actually justifies the price tag (hello, steak and seafood!).

So, if you want to dine out without breaking the bank, start ordering like a pro. Go for high-value meals, avoid paying premium prices for cheap ingredients, and make every dollar count.

Now, armed with these game-changing hacks, go forth and eat, drink, and be financially savvy—whether it’s date night, a friend’s night out, or just an excuse to enjoy a meal you didn’t have to cook yourself.

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