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Guest Post: 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Get Free From Your Library

by Lisa on July 11th, 2011

Today’s guest post is brought to us by Andrew Kardon, the president and co-founder of JoeShopping.com. I was amazed to learn about all of the free goods you can pick up at your local library – I am definitely going to have to check this out {pun intended} immediately.

Between Google, IMDb and Wikipedia, it’s likely you haven’t had a need to set foot inside a public library in years. That’s too bad, because libraries are rapidly catching up with the times and now offer much more than simply books, movies and magazines. In these tough economic times, your local library has many services that can help keep a little cash in your wallet — not to mention give you an excuse to tear yourself away from your computer screen. Here’s a list of handy products and services that many libraries have now made available (and most likely for free!). Note that not every library offers the same services, however, so be sure to ask your librarian about any of these!

Museum Passes – Did you know your library card can get you into a slew of museums and other cultural institutions for free? It can! Libraries generally have a number of museum passes available for members to use; just stop by, check it out and head to the appropriate venue! Some passes will get you in completely for free, while others are just heavily discounted. Either way, it’s a smart way to save money on a family outing.

eBooks – In keeping with the digital era, libraries now offer audio and ebooks in addition to their physical books. Generally, there are limits to how many books you can download in any given time period. Plus, some libraries’ websites allow you to download the books from the comfort of your living room — all you need is your library card. And if you don’t actually have an eReader, well then…

eReaders – In addition to renting the content itself, did you know you can borrow an actual eReader? Many libraries allow you to check out a Nook, Sony Reader or Kindle for up to three weeks for free, just like a regular book! The devices are pre-loaded with eBooks, but some libraries allow you to request specific titles or even upload your own, and they generally come with their case, power cable and instruction manual.

MP3s – You may have guessed by now that your library offers audio CDs (which they do), but did you know you can also get free mp3 downloads as well? There’s a great service called Freegal that many libraries are hooked up to, and, with a library card,
you can download up to 3 songs per week. Depending on the tunes, that’s a savings of almost $20 per month!

GPS Units – Thinking of buying a GPS unit but you’re worried it might make you more lost than you already are? Try one out for free courtesy of your local library! Rental periods vary (from 3 days to two weeks) but that’s still plenty of time to decide if you
want one or which one you should get. Or you can use it special for that weekend trip you’ve got coming up!

Video Games – Has the economy K-O’ed your gaming style? Head on down to the library! Many public libraries are starting to carry a selection of video games for the major systems (Xbox, Playstation, Wii) and you can check them out for free! On
average, you can borrow each game for about a week.

Laptops – When you think of computer access at the library, you probably think of stuffy computer labs, right? Think again! Many libraries have laptops available for checkout for use within the building (and a few have programs allowing you to actually take the devices home with you). You’ll probably have to leave your library card at the circulation desk and sign a contract saying you won’t break the thing, but then you’re free to find a cozy little spot and type away!

Energy Monitors – If your budget needs tightening, you’re probably looking for ways to save on energy costs (especially as Summer heats up). A great place to start is by picking up a Kill-a-Watt energy detector kit at your library. It’s a handy device that allows you to measure the energy output of all the devices in your home and learn exactly where you can make cuts to save on your electric bill!

Cameras – Got an upcoming wedding or party to attend, but your camera’s on the fritz? You can test drive digital cameras and Flip camcorders from many public libraries for up to a week. You’ll probably have to put down a small to medium deposit to walk out the door with it, but if you return the camera intact, you’ll get your money back!

Classes – Looking to bone up on your computing skills or maybe make a tasty pie? Libraries tend to offer a variety of free classes open to the public. They can be as simple as learning basic knitting techniques or as complex as understanding how to start a small business. Many libraries even have classes and services available to immigrants new to the country looking for practical assistance as they transition into American culture.

BIO: Andrew Kardon is the president and co-founder of JoeShopping.com. The social shopping site is dedicated to saving
money through coupons, hot deals, price comparisons, product reviews, shopping blogs and more.

Guest Post: Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping, Part II

by Lisa on July 7th, 2011

Megan and Nora from two birds have put together a great guide for how to have a successful thrift shopping trip, and today they’re back with the rest of the things we should know before heading out on a thrifting adventure.

To recap Tuesday’s post, here are points 1-5:
1. Go often.
2. Sign up for email notifications.
3. If you see something you like, grab it.
4. If you see something that you really like, buy it.
5. If you don’t like digging through items, or if you don’t have a lot of time, scan.

Alright, now here are the rest of Megan and Nora’s fantabulous thrifting tips:

6. Inspect the items.
People donate a lot of junk. Seriously, it’s amazing what some people donate. Seriously, people, if it’s torn and stained, throw it away. No one wants to buy it! So be careful, if you see something you love, check it for holes, broken zippers, frayed hems, stains, etc. It might be something you can fix…so use your own judgement on whether or not it’s worth it.

Whole Outfit ~ $14

7. Look in all the size sections.
Not every store is sectioned by size…but if it is, check them all out. We can’t believe we didn’t always do this. We’re always finding items that say one size, but are really another. Or even the items that are too large for us but will look cute belted, or as a dress instead of a shirt or skirt…a little imagination goes a long way.

Whole Outfit ~ $22

8. “Is this cute?”
We have a little thing we do when we shop together. We will hold up an item and say “is this cute?” if the answer is yes, then the next question is, “but is it $5 cute?” to which we answer honestly. $5 is a lot to spend on one item at a thrift store, so if you don’t love it, don’t buy it just because it’s $5. (see #4.) On the flip side, there might be a super cute pair of vintage cowboy boots for $19.99. Seems like a lot for a thrift store, but if you absolutely love them, $19.99 really isn’t too much!

Whole Outfit ~ $24

9. Walk through the store more than once.
If you have time, try it. Seriously, we miss so much the first time around. We are those weirdos who walk through a store at least twice before leaving. You just never know…

Whole Outfit ~ $14

10. If you are out of town or on a road trip, check out the small thrift stores along the way.
They have some of the best stuff. Any time we go out of town, we google thrift stores in the area and try to hit up at least six of them. We have found some amazing deals.

Whole Outfit ~ $13

11. Oops, forgot one. Have fun!
If you love shopping as much as we do, the thrill of the hunt is on…

What do you think? Are there any thrifting tips that you would add to this list?

Thanks to two birds for putting together such a fab guide to having a successful thrift shopping trip!

Guest Post: Tips for Successful Cruise Shopping

by Lisa on July 6th, 2011

Hello everyone! I’m Erin from ShopHappens.com. As you know, Lisa has escaped to beautiful Italy, so I’ve stepped in to fill the void here at Fantabulously Frugal. I figured in the spirit of our world traveler, I’d stick with the vacation theme and share some tips for successful cruise shopping.

1. Pack your suitcase.

I know this seems like a DUH suggestion, but you really do have to plan (and maybe shop) for items prior to departure. You’ll need a few nicer outfits (a gown/tux if you are seriously into Formal Night, but otherwise at least a sundress/polo and khakis), clothes and shoes for touring/walking, and (depending on your destination) a bathing suit. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy these items because you may end up paying a premium for something that isn’t exactly what you want. Side note: don’t go TOO matchy-matchy with your swimsuits and cover-ups to avoid looking geriatric.

2. Stick to a budget.

Head into your shopping expedition with a budget. Prior to setting sail, research the ports of call and make a list of what to buy where. Use the power of the internet to become a savvy shopper with a base knowledge of what’s a good deal and what’s a rip-off. There are tons of websites out there with reviews of the ports of call. (I recommend TripAdvisor and CruiseCritic.) I have also had a lot of success negotiating prices with sellers. For example, if you see a street vendor with gorgeous necklaces for $25 apiece, ask if you can have two for $40. You can try this tactic in the larger stores too, but I haven’t had much luck with it.

3. Plan your attack.

I’d venture to guess that every ship has an information session for port and on-board shopping. I’ve attended a few of these sessions, and they can be very useful. If the presenter is doing his/her job, you’ll walk out of there with coupons for a ton of freebies and discounts. Just keep in mind that the retailers being presented have paid the cruise lines to promote their stores, the markup is significant, and the quality of the freebies really isn’t anything to write home about. I’d recommend going to look in several different stores first, then buy on your way back to the ship. Don’t let yourself get pressured into buying the first item you see. Also, don’t wait until the last second to do your shopping while you’re at a port of call – if it’s 5:30 and your ship departs at 6… that’s a bad time to start a purchase.

4. Buy light. (or, if needed, buy another bag!)

This applies more to cruisers who have to fly home after arriving back at port. If your luggage is over the weight limit, you *will* get slapped with hefty fees from the airlines. If you find that your suitcase is becoming overwhelmed with souvenirs, it is not a bad idea to buy another bag to carry your purchases. By the end of the cruise, the on-board stores start to mark down prices, so that’s a good time to snag a tote or duffel bag for your trip home.

5. Know the rules.

You should always be aware of what you can and cannot bring back on board or into your home country and what you need to declare on arrival. If you don’t know, ask! In my experience, cruise customer service reps are among the best, most knowledgeable (not to mention friendliest) in the world.

And one last tip…

6. ENJOY YOURSELF!

Don’t get so caught up shopping for the perfect outfit to wear, getting the best deal, or finding the perfect souvenir that you forget to look around and soak in the scenery! Just relax and read a book, go to a show, or take some pictures. In my opinion, there’s nothing better about a vacation than being able to capture a great moment or a beautiful scene in a photo (and they can be great for framing and giving as gifts, too!)

–

Erin took all photos in this post on a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Explorer of the Seas with ports of call in Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Boston, Massachusetts.

Do you have any other suggestions for cruise shopping? Do you totally disagree with something I’ve said? Let me know in the comments!

Guest Post: Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping, Part I

by Lisa on July 5th, 2011

Hey everyone! Megan and Nora here from two birds. We are so happy to be guest posting on this wonderful site! After all, we were born to a fantabulously frugal mother, and she has taught us well. We thought we’d talk a little about a passion of ours, thrifting.

You see, we grew up with five sisters (oh, did we mention that we are sisters?) It’s hard to imagine how much it would cost to dress five girls, especially when they hit the teenage, brand-conscious years. In our day, we had to have Guess jeans, Esprit bags and Obsession perfume. Had to. Our mom tried to fool us, she bought Palmetto jeans, Target bags, and well, she never bought us perfume, but you get the idea. We were not fooled. So she did what she knew best…thrifted. And we were so embarrassed. Hand-me- downs? No way. What if these jeans used to belong to someone I go to school with? How embarrassing (gag me with a spoon!) But years and years of thrifting and garage saling has finally impacted us in a positive way. So much so, that we both think $10 is too much to pay for any one item. Yep, $10. Crazy, huh? We have even opened up a little pop-up vintage shop that makes its way to the Twin Cities every couple of months! And you won’t find much over $20 at our shop! We like to pass on a great deal.

Now, we are no experts in thrifting…there was no degree in it when we went to college. However, if frequenting thrift stores (and by frequenting, we mean three times a week…yep, {at least} three times a week) makes us experts, than maybe we are. All we know is that we love thrifting, we love garage saling, and we get super deals. So, we thought we’d pass on a few of our tips and tricks about thrifting. Because, true story, you can find great deals at thrift stores. We have found the likes of Prada, BCBG, J Crew, Anthropologie…you name it, at thrift stores. For reals. We don’t joke about this kind of stuff.

1. Go often.
Get to know each store. We have favorites that we like to go to. Thrifting can oftentimes be very overwhelming. Stores are big, not always organized, and have loads and loads of stuff. If you go often and continue to go to the same stores, you will learn where you want to be in each store. Plus they get new stuff every day (every day!), so if you go often, you will most likely find oodles of great stuff.

Whole outfit ~ $30

2. Sign up for email notifications.
Thrift stores are always having sales and deals. If you sign up for emails, you will know about all the sales. When they do have sales, get there early! Grab a cart…you will need one.

Whole Outfit ~ $33

3. If you see something you like, grab it.
Right now. Don’t think about it while you shop. You can always put it back later, but chances are, if you think something is cute, so will someone else.

Whole Outfit ~ $7

4. If you see something that you really like, buy it.
If you’re like us and regret things you didn’t get, buy it. This isn’t a place that has mass-produced items. You can’t go back tomorrow and buy it. Well, maybe you can. But do you really want to take that chance??? *note…on the other hand, don’t buy something just because it’s cheap. Make sure you really want it. You know what we’re talking about….right? right? A sweater has been known to be cuter once it’s on the sale rack!*

Whole Outfit ~ $18

5. If you don’t like digging through items, or if you don’t have a lot of time, scan.
This is what we do when we only have a few minutes to shop…we walk up and down the aisles, looking at the patterns and textures of the clothes. We know what we like and don’t like, and if we see a pattern or texture that we love, then we can stop and inspect the item to see if we want it or not.

Whole Outfit ~ $20

Come back Thursday when Megan and Nora will share the rest of their fab thrifting tips! {P.S. Don’t you kind of wish you could hire them to be your stylist? I am positively loving their style!}

Guest Post: Travelling Frugal

by Lisa on September 29th, 2010

Today wraps up our guest posts, and I’m happy to end with one of my passions – travel! Last week we had Heather from Saving Money & Living Life and this week we have Heather’s blog partner Jessica sharing some great tips for saving money while seeing the world. Enjoy!

We love to travel at Saving Money and Living Life, and we especially love traveling cheaply. So we’ve put together a guide with some of our favorite tips and tricks to traveling large on a small budget.
1. Typically the best way to score the hottest deals is to have a flexible traveling schedule, or to at least to be flexible in where you are wanting to go. My favorite site for travel deals is Travelzoo, where you can either look for deals at specific places or times, or try and score great last minute bargains. Here are some examples from a few week’s ago Top 20, where every week they send out the best deals for the week:
Costa Rica 6 Night Vacation including rental SUV and air: $499
Ireland 4 Night Vacation including air, guided tours, private motorcoach: $599
Caribbean Cruise for 5 nights; kids sail free: $399
Paris and London for 6 nights including air: $699
The deals that include airfare are often especially hot, seeing as most people spend $599 a person on airfare alone to get to Europe. Our friends found a Travelzoo deal for Paris once that was only a few hundred dollars including air. They had kept the week open knowing that they wanted to do something, they just weren’t sure what. So they picked this trip, booked through the site, went to Paris and had an amazing time while only spending a few hundred on their trip. Through sites like this it is possible to travel internationally more affordably than it is to do so domestically- something most people are thrilled to find out!
2. Many people love cruises for traveling- they’re low cost, the food is free, and they provide entertainment for all ages. If you’re flexible with your time and travel destination, you can often get cruises at deep discounts through sites like Travelzoo, Travelocity, and Expedia. Often times the only expense on cruises are the activities in ports or alcoholic drinks (although you can get creative with that as well).
While the cruise facilitated excursions can be convenient, they can also be expensive. Consider doing things on your own, or with other people you are traveling with. To get more information on your specific destination, use the forums on sites like Cruise Critic where other members can tell you what excursions are worth paying for, and what on-your-own options are available.

With our friends Erinn and Mike on a DIY-excursion

3. Get creative with saving. The problem that people often have when it comes to vacationing is saving properly. They set money aside for that purpose, but things always seem to “come up” and take over the vacation fund. If you’re one of those people, consider saving in the form of travel vouchers. Cruiselines like Royal Caribbean allow you to purchase gift certificates that never expire. You can purchase them throughout the year whenever you have extra money, and then use them together to pay for a cruise once you have accumulated enough of them. Plus, you can’t spend the money on something else once you have purchased the voucher, so it forces you to actually use that money towards a vacation!
We personally use a cash in envelopes budget system, where we put the money allotted for each budget area (groceries, entertainment, home needs, etc) in envelopes and spend straight from there. Whenever we have extra left in an envelope, we take that money and put it in a special vacation envelope. That way we aren’t saving anything extra on top of our budget; we just accumulate extra cash and every year have enough to at least do something like a short 3 or 4 day cruise together, or a weekend trip to Charleston.

In Santorini, Greece on our belated honeymoon trip.

4. Be flexible with your flights. When my husband and I recently traveled to Mexico, we had a hard time finding a reasonable flight out of Birmingham. The cheapest we could find was around $750 a person. However, when I started changing around our departure city, I was able to find roundtrip flights out of Charlotte for only $300 a person. Since we had family in Charlotte we were able to go and spend a day or two with them and fly out from the airport in Charlotte, saving us almost $800.

On our dinner cruise at Cabo San Lucas

5. Take advantage of promotions and opportunities. Whether you have hotel points, frequent flier miles, or any other form of traveling promotion, always make them work for you. We were able to go to Cabo for free (except for the flights) due to a promotion from our last vacation, where if you bought a 7 day cruise through American Express you received a voucher for a free 7 day stay in Mexico (literally, the best BOGO I’ve ever gotten!).

When we got to the resort (which was out of this world amazing), we had the opportunity to go on a timeshare presentation. Normally we would never go on one of these, but this one was worth our while- we received a $200 resort credit towards food, 50% off at the spa, and 50% off a sunset dinner cruise that we planned to do on our own anyways. After all of those credits, we checked out of the hotel with a bill that totaled $132- that included our food that we ate all week, our hotel stay (worth over $1200), and a facial that I had at the spa. Combined with the $600 we spent on our flights, we ended up spending less than $750 on our entire trip to Cabo San Lucas.

Our hotel in Cabo San Lucas

We are currently saving our Hilton Honors points to use toward a trip once my husband graduates medical school in 3 years. By that time, we should have enough to get an all-inclusive vacation package for free at a Hilton Hotel overseas. In some cases, using a credit card really pays off, as long as you pay it off on a monthly basis (nice pun, right?). We’ve used our Hilton Honors points in the past for 1 to 2 night stays around our anniversary to stay in a lovely old historic hotel here in town for free. It’s a nice way to celebrate our anniversary, especially for free!

6. Be reasonable with your meals. If you’re not on a cruise, this is a little less applicable other than with drinks (however, my husband and I are notorious for packing 2 liters of soda in our cruise luggage to avoid the obscene $20/pp “soda card” on cruise ships!). On vacation it is always helpful to keep your food costs at a reasonable level- this is especially doable with meals like breakfast, or snacks throughout the day.
Our hotel in Mexico charged $3.50 for coffee packets in the room, so to avoid the charge I brought instant cappucinno packets and simply made my own with hot water. Thankfully the water where we stayed was safe to drink, it just had a funny taste to it. To avoid the $9 Fiji water bottles (no, I am not making that price up) we brought Crystal Light packets to cover the odd taste of the tap water and never had to purchase a single bottle. Also, we brought snacks like granola bars and fruit snacks to munch on throughout the day, giving us the financial freedom to really enjoy our lunches and dinners in Mexico.

Heather and Eric at Bora Bora

Similarly, in case you haven’t read Heather’s post about their amazing trip to Bora Bora and their use of PB&J we shared last week, check it out here.
7. Consider a timeshare. Timeshares can be great opportunities to travel affordably, whether you are buying one or renting someone else’s. Renting gives you the opportunity to experience timeshare ownership without the long-term commitment. It also can be a source of amazing bargains if you’re in the right place at the right time. Owning can also be a great deal, but with one reminder: Never buy a timeshare at a timeshare presentation. Ever.
Why? Because the prices are incredibly high compared to what you could pay with a little bit of detective work. At our timeshare presentation, our salesman tried to sell us a gorgeous unit for $26,000. We didn’t budge, and he dropped the price to $12,000 and added in some goodies. That in itself would be enough to sway some people, with a 30 year contract and minimal yearly expenses for cleaning and housekeeping. However, we were in no position to fork over $12,000, no matter how amazing the property was (which it was!). After coming back home, we did a little research on-line and found the exact same unit for a grand total of… $2,500. The resale market is hot with deals right now when it comes to timeshares, as people regretting their purchases try to unload them as quickly as possible. It’s bad for them, but great for the rest of us! If you’re interested in purchasing a resale timeshare, try sites like Redweek and Sell My Timeshare Now. You’ll be amazed at the deals you can find, but make sure to educate yourself on the yearly hidden costs associated with owning a timeshare.

The timeshare property we looked at in Cabo

From the pictures above, you can see how much we love to travel- it is one of our biggest passions. Thankfully because we live on a very responsible budget, we are able to afford to take trips together like the ones you’ve seen here. It is such an important part in our marriage because we value the opportunity to get away together and focus on our relationship, which can be easy to lose sight of in such a busy world! Hopefully our best traveling secrets will give you the information and inspiration to start saving for your next vacation as well- maybe what you thought was out of reach really isn’t so much at all!
Do you have traveling tips of your own you would like to share? Feel free to post them below- we’d love to hear your hints as well! Bon voyage, everyone!

Guest Post: Tights Unraveled

by Lisa on September 28th, 2010

When Kimberly approached me with the idea to write a guest post about tights and panty hose I was definitely intrigued. Below you’ll find some good tips for getting the most out of your purchase! Enjoy!

A good pair of tights can minimize bulge, hide bruises, scars, and dare I say – unshaven legs. From Victorian royalty and the nylon revolution of the 1940s to the perfected, poised housewife of the 1950s and power suits of the 1980s, hosiery has been a staple in most panty drawers.

This season, opaque and shiny tights graced the runways of Marc Jacobs, BCBG and Thakoon, to name just a few. They are a staple for fall, providing a jolt of color, pattern, texture and interest to an outfit while keeping legs fairly warm and covered in cooler weather.

Different from pantyhose because of the heavier weight of the yarn, tights can be distinguished by a number followed by the term ‘denier,’ usually posted on the top corner of packages. The higher the number, the more opaque or coverage, while lower numbers indicate sheerness. For example, I recently purchased a pair of black Calvin Klein tights at 70 denier, which had a hint of sheerness to them, as opposed to a 40 denier or lower, which are generally classified as pantyhose.

Other options include control top, hip huggers or thin/thick waistbands.

Investing in a good pair of tights is worth it, depending on how often you plan on wearing them. Getting by with a Merona pair from Target for $7 can do the trick but for something more durable and with a higher percentage of Lycra or nylon, I prefer Calvin Klein, usually $18. Spanx are always a favorite and come in a variety of price points.

High-end designers have also begun to produce tights with cashmere blends like Falke for $70 and up or Wolford’s Satin de Lux tights at $65 with a high percentage of nylon and elastane. Expensive brands are still susceptible to snagging and I tend to go with mid price points, as the quality is better than cheaper brands. Regardless, a good tip is to keep a bottle of clear or topcoat nail polish handy to lightly dab at the start and end of the snag or run. It conceals nicely and is a quick fix to stop the run from growing larger.

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Kimberly Lochhead is the author behind the fashion blog New Sense Nuisance and a freelance journalist in Ottawa, Canada.

Tips for Dining Out: Finding Bargains & Discounts

by Lisa on September 27th, 2010

I don’t know about you but I have been loving these guest posts! They’ve been chock-full of great tips for saving money and today’s post is no different. Danielle from Danielle’s Brain Bits provides some great information on ways to save money when dining out. Enjoy!

Like most Americans, my husband Steve and I enjoy dining out once in a while when we’re “too tired to cook” or looking to get out of the house. However, unlike most Americans (the average American spends $0.47 out of every food dollar on dining out) we do not enjoy spending bundles of money to have someone else cook for us: if it’s not a deal, we’ll typically opt to eat in. In the time we’ve been together, we’ve honed some strategies for eating out on the cheap that we stand by and that we love to share with others – which is exactly what I’ll proceed to do now!

The Well Known Strategy – Daily Deals: Sites such as Groupon, Restaurants.com, Living Social, and lots of other daily deal sites will often offer opportunities to buy a good chunk of money at a restaurant for half the price. A common one is $50 worth of food for $25 – that’s a great deal if you work the menu right and it’s also a great chance to try new places you might not otherwise try.

Frequent Dining Programs: A lot of restaurants will have a frequent diner program that will allow you to accumulate points that you can then turn into dollars or coupons at the restaurant. One of our favorite local chains – T-Bones (New Hampshire) – has a Paybacks program that gives you a $10 coupon for every $100 you spend at their restaurants. Other establishments have similar programs, so don’t be afraid to ask your waiter/waitress or host/hostess if your favorite place has a frequent diner program.

Coupons: Some of the best ways to save money are by clipping coupons or knowing where to find a restaurant’s coupons in other places (internet, magazines, etc.). For example, T-Bones has an annual calendar that has coupons at the bottom of every month for a free appetizer or dessert. Another way to get good coupons is to keep your eyes peeled for charity fundraiser books around the holidays. Last year we bought a charity book for $10 from another favorite local chain – The Common Man (New Hampshire) – and it paid for itself with the first coupon we used (buy one entree, get one free – anywhere from a $15-25 value).

Twitter/Facebook & E-Newsletters: If you have a Twitter or Facebook account, a great thing to do is to follow or “Like” your favorite restaurants if they have accounts as well. Oftentimes establishments will release offers to their followers that are exclusive, so being in the “loop” is a great way to get discounts on your meals. Also – there are lots of other restaurants that also will send you coupons or give you heads up on some of their deals through their e-newsletter; some of which are exclusive to subscribers, so it’s always a good idea to get on these lists. Bonus tip: These same e-newsletters will often send you special coupons in your birthday month!

Watch for Gift Certificate Deals: When the holidays approach, restaurants are no strangers to the fact that their gift certificates are going to sell like crazy to stuff in stockings or make appearances at Yankee Swaps. Keep your eyes peeled for buy-some-get-some offers that will often pop-up. A couple of years ago for example, Chili’s and Applebee’s both offered a “Buy $25, get $5” deal on their gift cards. T-Bones (New Hampshire) offers an annual “Buy $5 get $1” gift certificate special, so my husband and I take advantage of this to pre-buy our dining for the next year. Last year we paid $300 for gift certificates, got $60 free, another $30 because they let us use our frequent diner card to purchase the gift certificates, and then saved even more throughout the year with our frequent dining card and calendar coupons.

Our Haul from T-Bones’ Gift Certificate Promotion: December 2008

Basic Tips: No matter where you dine, there are always a few easy ways to trim a couple of dollars off of your bill.

Share your meal. It’s pretty well documented that most American restaurants have increasingly generous portion sizes. If you can agree on something you and your dining buddy both like – split it. Suddenly an entree that was $20/person has been cut in half to $10/person.
Skip the soda. Not only is soda not good for you, it costs $2+ in most restaurants. Sure, the refills are free… but it’s still lots of sugar/artificial sweetener and usually sodium you don’t need – never mind the $2 you could save! Opt instead for the water and ask for some fruit in it (99% of restaurants will not charge you for a tap water with a hunk of citrus squeezed & dropped in).
Skip the appetizer. This applies to restaurants who either serve bread before the meal (which is typically free) and/or restaurants whose entrees come with a soup or salad on the side. Don’t be fooled by what Jim Gaffigan calls the “meal before the meal” – save money and save room for your delicious entree!
Keep it Simple. Sure, the “Tour of Italy” looks amazing at the Olive Garden… but the Spaghetti & Meatballs is just as tasty, just as filling, and saves you a couple of dollars. Same goes for steak – you don’t need the uber-fancy 32-ounce steak with garlic butter & lobster. Usually the simpler the dish – the lower the price. Take a look at the burger section of your menu and you’ll see what I mean!

Dining out doesn’t have to be something that’s hard on your wallet; there are lots of ways to save money and still enjoy a meal you didn’t cook. In fact, it can become almost a bit of a game to get the biggest bang for your date-night buck with your significant other and then saving money becomes FUN as well. Besides – I think that sometimes a meal tastes just a bit better when you’re not worried about mortgaging your house or condo for it, don’t you? So give it a try – your tummy, tongue, and wallet will thank you.

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Danielle Athanas was born & bred in Eastern Massachusetts and is proud to call the Merrimack Valley area her home. She’s almost 30 and she’s been married for just over 3 years to a self-proclaimed geek who she is blessed to call her best friend. She enjoys reading, cooking, finding deals, and exploring her faith – all four of which are common themes in her blog Danielle’s Brain Bits. When she’s not doing those things or working her day job selling airplane parts, she can be found volunteering with her church’s youth group or dreaming of sitting by the ocean side watching the waves hit the shore.