10 Ways People Waste Their Money At Restaurants

There's no question restaurant dining should be regarded as a splurge or a special treat, and not a habit to indulge at every meal. It's much healthier for your wallet (and often your body, too) to be a savvy grocery shopper and prepare fresh meals at home. Even if you don't have that kind of time, there's a plethora of meal kits available today to help. For example, research from Money Digest's recent evaluation of a Home Chef subscription shows that while not quite as affordable as buying your own ingredients, meal kits are still less expensive than dining out.

That said, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional restaurant meal for the sake of celebrating, socializing with friends or family, or maybe you just need a break from washing dishes. Still, you'll want to get maximum value for your dining dollar. That's counter to the whims of the restaurant owner and your server who would prefer you spend as much as possible. With that in mind, here's our list of common restaurant blunders to avoid.

When dining out for supper, ordering only a main course will often be more than enough to satisfy your hunger. Granted, it can be fun to prolong the meal, sample a wider variety from the menu, and have something to pick at while waiting for your entrée to arrive. However, that indulgence is going to add significantly to your restaurant bill. If you must order an appetizer, do make it just one and don't go crazy filling the table with plates. If you have a favorite appetizer, also consider ordering it instead of your main course.

The off-menu specials the server describes to you at the beginning of a meal service will almost surely sound delicious. They'll also be premium-priced compared to regular menu items. If you're interested in ordering one of these dishes, be sure to ask the price ahead of time. Otherwise, you could be in for a nasty surprise when the check arrives. On the other hand, some restaurants have discounted prices on certain items on certain days of the week. For example, one night might be burger night or wing night. Those types of specials are worth pursuing.

Restaurants frequently have lower prices at lunchtime than at dinner and the food will be similar, if not identical. If your schedule permits, suggest a lunch date or daytime catchup with a friend. Lunch is also a great way to try trendy, upscale restaurants that might be out of your budgetary reach during the evening. Finally, consider seeking out lunch spots that serve a buffet, which can be a great way not only to linger with pals, but fill up your belly on the cheap.

The term "happy hour" is widely believed to come from the U.S. military, of all places. Happy hour was a time when sailors on Navy ships could relax and unwind. Nowadays, both bars and restaurants frequently offer happy hours to promote business during the slow period between lunch and dinner. Discounted, or even two-for-one, alcoholic beverages are the norm but also look for specially priced snacks to accompany your booze. Happy hour times and policies will vary greatly by venue, so you'll want to call or check online before heading out. As well, some restaurants have happy hour pricing available at tables, while others restrict it to the bar area.

Admittedly, there are certain instances — like an anniversary, perhaps — when parents need some alone time. That said, if you can bring the whole family along for a meal, it could be an economical way to feed the group. Restaurants frequently offer low-priced kids menus to entice families to dine. Some venues might even offer free meals to kids on certain days of the week, so it definitely pays to do some homework. Also, if something from the kids menu catches your eye, ask if there are age limits involved or whether those chicken nuggets are fair game for adults.

We get it. There's a natural inclination to treat your loved ones to a nice meal on holidays, such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or New Year's Eve, but you'll quite possibly pay a steep premium for dining on one of these special occasions. That's because many restaurants will eschew their normal menus for a multi-course, fixed-price menu during such holidays. Your favorite venue that normally charges $20 for an entrée all the sudden turn into a $50 price-fixed menu. Consider dining out the day (or weekend) before or after the holiday instead.

The markup on beer and wine at restaurants is astronomical (except perhaps at happy hour and Americans spend several hundred dollars per year on alcohol as it is). So if you like to enjoy a glass or two of alcohol with your meal, a great idea is to seek out restaurants where you can bring your own bottle (aka BYOB) without extra charge. You'll save massively by paying grocery store or liquor store prices over restaurant prices, which are often double or even triple the retail price on bottles of wine. In non-BYOBs, ask about a corkage fee if the restaurant serves you wine that you provide. A $15 or $20 corkage fee added to the retail cost of your own wine could still be way cheaper than buying from the restaurant.

You can take the sting out of growing another year older by seeking out one of the many restaurants that offer free giveaways to celebrate. For example, P. F. Chang's offers a free appetizer or dessert for your big day. Other restaurants that have a free item (often a dessert item) include Applebee's, Chili's, Denny's, and Starbucks. Do be aware that to receive your free item, you'll likely need to enroll in the franchise's loyalty program ahead of time.

Besides potentially free food or drink on your birthday, another perk of joining various restaurant loyalty programs is that you'll likely receive periodic coupons straight to your inbox. In fact, some restaurants will give you a free item just for signing up. For instance, Chipotle gives new members a free order of Chips & Guac. If you're worried about your email account becoming cluttered with promotions, consider establishing a separate account just for joining loyalty clubs, which can also include retailers.

We've already cautioned about ordering pricey alcohol (unless it's happy hour), which can quickly balloon your dining bill. However, coffee, iced tea, and soft drinks like soda are almost as pricey — adding an extra $3 or more per person. Instead, stick to regular tap water with ice. Some restaurants opt to conserve water by not automatically serving it, but don't be afraid to ask for a glass. Your wallet and your health both will thank you.