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

1. Dine out on Mondays and Tuesdays 

The beginning of the week is slow for the restaurant industry. Most eateries will offer their best-priced specials on Mondays and Tuesdays, including steep discounts on expensive dishes and buffets.

2. 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. Prefer dining out for the ambiance? Create your own at home. Dim the lights, light some candles and set the table with your best stemware and china dishes.

3. Split it

Instead of ordering individual portions, split an entrée with your dining partner. You can always order cheaper appetizers or side dishes afterward if you find it’s not enough. It beats paying for food that is going to end up in a doggie bag!

4. Skip dessert

Don’t order dessert immediately after scraping your plate clean. Wait a few minutes and you might just find that you are so full, you can’t eat another morsel.

5. Don’t pay full price 

Never leave home for a restaurant without first checking for online deals and coupons. Visit the eatery’s website and then check out sites like Benefits Plus®. 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, today.

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