Everyone likes to have fun and go out. These economic times have forced many of us to cut back on our spending. One of the first things to cut back on is going out to eat. Use these seven tips to help you spend less when you eat out.

1. Go early – happy hour

Almost every restaurant has a happy hour. Happy hour means lower prices. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a restaurant with my wife before 6:00pm and sit at the bar. I know this doesn’t work when you have the kids with you, but if you go alone it’s a great way to save money. We like sitting at the bar because it’s easier to talk and we have more fun that way.

Everything is cheaper during happy hour. The drinks and the appetizers are usually 50% off. We like to get a drink and a few good appetizers as our meal. This doesn’t work at every restaurant. You have to pick and choose the ones with good sized appetizers.

2. Use Groupon

Have you joined Groupon yet? Groupon is free and they have daily deals and discounts for your area. They work with local restaurants and business in each city to put together group discounts. You only buy into the deal if you are interested. They usually do things like $50 worth of fare for $20 at xyz restaurant. It’s a great way to save money and try a place you’ve never been to.

3. Gift card bonus offers

I’ve seen this offered everywhere from sub shops to fine dining dinner spots. Restaurants will offer you a $20 gift card for free when you buy a $100 gift card. If it’s a place you go often and you know you will spend $120 there in the next year anyway, buying the gift card for yourself is a no-brainer.

4. Drink more water

One of the biggest expenses in your dinner bill is usually drinks. Wine, beer, and mixed drinks can really add up. Try drinking more water and less alcohol to save money when you go out to eat.

5. Skip appetizers or desert

Dinner by itself is usually enough to fill up. Avoid either the appetizer or desert.

6. Don’t let the waiter upsell you

If you haven’t noticed this before you will next time you go out to eat. The waiters are trained to upsell you at every chance they get. “Would you like an extra side, a bigger drink, a second appetizer?” Get what you want and avoid the extras the waiter suggests.

7. Set an eating out budget

You should have a line in your budget for restaurants. When you have a budget for eating out you are much more conscious of the money you spend. It will be easier to reduce your spending when you have prepared with a budgeted plan ahead of time.