Frugal Life Hack => dining out affordably!

If you're like me & love to dine out, but worry about how often you can afford it, here's a few tips to allow you to dine out more often:

Tip #1:  Understand you're dining out for the experience of being out with people you care about.

Tip #2:  Appreciate that a big part of your dining experience is the environment you're placing yourself into.

Tip #3:  Your chosen restaurant will be "selling" you on all sorts of upgrades & offers that works well for them, but not necessarily for you, so be prepared to say "No" without guilt or diminished enjoyment.  You're not there for them, you're there for you.

Tip #4:  Decline the offer of paid drinks (alcohol, tea, or coffee) in favour of hot or cold water with lemon.  Not only saves you money, it's healthier for your digestive system.  So long as you're not driving, you could have enjoyed a drink at home beforehand.

Tip #5:  Pass on the Appetizers.  Most Entree's are portioned to be filling enough, & you don't want to pack home the Entree because you've filled up on an Appetizer.  Besides, many Appy's are now priced almost as highly as the Entree's.

Tip #6:  Focus on & choose the Entree that you're really excited about or the choice that the restaurant is famous or really known for.  Eat slowly so as to savour the food experience.  You'll also feel fuller & more satisfied by allowing your food to "land", not to mention it's also healthier.

Tip #7:  Either skip dessert altogether or order one that you can share & enjoy with others at your table (be sure to ask for extra forks for everyone sharing).  You can always have arranged for a dessert to be waiting for you at home.

Follow these 7 Tips and you'll be able to dining out 2-3 times more often.  Enjoy!