1. Use American Express Card Special Offers

On your American Express account page, look for the "Amex Offers & Benefits" area. We received a free dinner as a result of a $10 credit offer for using Amex Express Checkout to purchase anything at Newegg.com.I used my American Express card to purchase a $10 printable Applebee's gift card. Within a few days, the $10 credit showed on my account, refunding 100% of my purchases. Now you have money to spend at Applebee's!Offers for basic statement credits are prevalent. Individual accounts receive personalised offers. For example, one of my cards includes 64 offers (three of which are for restaurants), whilst another has only 25.

2.Buy Discounted Gift Cards for Eating Out

Many people don’t realize you can buy discounted gift cards for restaurants online.I recently bought a $25 Applebee’s gift card for $19.75 — a 21% discount.I stick to big sites like CardCash and ClipKard. I’ve never had a problem with printed digital cards or physical cards sent by mail.Want to save even more? Buy discounted gift cards through cash-back websites and use a good cash-back credit card to knock a higher percentage off the cost of a meal out.

3.Use the Right Credit Card

When dining out, use one of these rewards credit cards. Although receiving 1-2% back may not seem like much, the savings mount up when paired with the other options.

4. Go During Happy Hour

Try eating at restaurant bars during happy hour. You’ll save on drinks and find half-priced appetizers at many places, often only in the bar area.Seating is another advantage. When we’re happy to sit at the bar, we often walk past lines of people waiting for tables in the main dining area.

5. Make a Meal of Appetizers and Sides

When my wife and I became vegetarians, we avoided eating meat by choosing side dishes and appetisers instead. It was sometimes the greatest cuisine in the restaurant, and the lunch was significantly cheaper than two entrées. 6. Dine in casinos.Free meals at casinos are less common than they used to be, but many casinos have inexpensive restaurants to attract customers. Check casino websites for upcoming events that offer free food, like slot tournaments.

7. Research Menus Online Before Eating Out

Most restaurants have their menus on their websites, so you can choose a place with inexpensive dishes you like. Check for daily specials, which can help you decide which day to eat out.You can also see menus for restaurants across the country (even some that have no website) at menucuisine.com

8. Join a Vegan Group

Find vegan groups on MeetUp and join one that regularly has potluck dinners. For our last vegan potluck dinner, we bought two cans of dolmas from Trader Joe’s and stacked them on a plate with some lettuce-leaf garnish.

Total cost: $5.They were a hit, and we ate 10 delicious dishes brought by others. Even if you’re not a vegan, you’ll be welcomed as a potential convert. It’s a great way to get out of the house and have a big meal that’s (mostly) cooked by others.