Eat out more for less, without the guesswork
Deals, cheap eats and money-smart habits for eating out, from the DineOption team.
Featured
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Taking Restaurant Leftovers Home Safely
Taking food home turns one restaurant bill into two meals, but only if it is handled right. Follow…
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Student Dining on a Budget: A Walkthrough
Follow one semester’s food decisions from move-in week to finals, and see where a student budget leaks and…
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Dining Out During Food Inflation: A Walkthrough
When menu prices keep creeping up, you do not have to stop eating out. Follow a typical month…
Latest articles
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A Frugal Social Life Without Missing Out
Spending less does not have to mean seeing people less. How to reshape plans, suggest low-cost alternatives and…
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Planning a Budget Picnic
A picnic can feel like a meal out for a fraction of the effort and cost. Here is…
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How Restaurant Week Events Work
Restaurant weeks open the doors of pricier dining rooms at set prices. Here is how the format works,…
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How to Reduce Food Waste: Myths and Facts
Composting is good, but it is not the best fix. Five common beliefs about wasted food, what the…
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Buffet Value: How to Get Your Money’s Worth
A buffet is only good value if you eat well, not just a lot. Seven practical steps to…
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Restaurant Gift Cards: Myths, Facts and Scams
Gift cards are a handy present and an easy way to lose money if you misunderstand the rules.…
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Supermarket Hot Food vs Takeaway
A grocery hot counter can feed you fast for less than a takeout order, but not always. Here…
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Restaurant Service Charges and Extra Fees Explained
Service charge, gratuity, surcharge, tip: the words on a restaurant bill do not all mean the same thing.…
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Restaurant Upselling: Myths and Facts
Not every suggestion from your server is a trap, and not every menu trick works. Here is what…
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Meal Planning to Free Up Your Dining Budget
Plan the boring meals so the good ones can happen. Six steps to a weekly plan that trims…
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Splitting the Bill Without the Awkwardness
Most bill arguments start before anyone orders. Agree how you will pay at the start, and the end…
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Lunch Specials vs Dinner: Why Lunch Often Wins on Value
The same kitchen, the same chef, often the same dishes. Here is why the midday menu so often…