Dining out with family and friends is a wonderful experience, but it can take a huge bite out of your budget. Instead, use our hacks to bring your bill down and continue enjoying meals at your favorite eateries!

1. Start on the left side of the menu 

When looking at a menu, most people’s eyes naturally drift to the right. Restaurants know this and they purposely put their most expensive items on the right side of the menu. Outsmart this ploy by checking out the left side of the menu for cheaper options you will still enjoy, before looking right. You may find that the restaurant has listed their appetizers in that left area. For many, an appetizer can make an entire meal option.

2. Don’t eat out on major holidays 

Restaurants know the entire world will be taking their moms out to eat on Mother’s Day and their significant others on a date for Valentine’s Day. To make these days profitable, many restaurants only offer fixed-price menus for these days. These menus might sound cheap until you consider that the four-course meal going for $55 is a lot more expensive than the $18 entrée you would have ordered otherwise. If you would really like to celebrate these special days with a restaurant meal, consider eating out the day before or the day after the holiday.

3. Take it to go 

Pick up food from your favorite eatery and then enjoy it at home. You will save on server tips, beverage costs and many extras, too. To save even more money, only purchase the entrée. Roast some veggies and potatoes at home for a quick side and crack open a tub of rocky road ice cream in your freezer for dessert.

4. Drink water 

Restaurants are notorious for marking up beverage prices. That can of Diet Coke you always order along with your meal costs the establishment anywhere from $0.05 to $0.25. However, they will most likely charge you more than three dollars for it! Ask for water and you will save a pretty penny on your final check.

5. Don’t pay full price 

Never leave home for a restaurant without first checking for online deals and coupons. Once you upgrade your basic checking account to a Benefits Plus® checking with SeaComm, you will gain access to restaurant and retail gift and eGift cards that can be purchased for up to 10% off! With this exclusive checking account, you and your family will have the chance to save on travel, groceries, prescriptions and more. Visit your local SeaComm branch to enroll!

For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.

TIP: When dining out, make sure to use your SeaComm Visa® Platinum, which enables you to earn points and cash back with every dollar spent. You can redeem your points for cashback, or use them to purchase quality merchandise at ScoreCardRewards.com.

For added convenience, ScoreCard® Rewards now offers Premium Payback, which allows you to redeem your points right at the point of sale, virtually anywhere. Just make a qualifying purchase at a participating location and you will promptly receive a text message or email asking if you want to redeem your points to cover your purchase. If you choose to accept the offer, you will receive a statement credit to your account for the transaction amount. Click here to get started!