We all like to go out to eat, but we know cooking at home is much less expensive. In your life of thrifty retirement, you can learn how to retire on the cheap and enjoy restaurant dining without emptying your wallet.

Eating out is many times a social experience more than a nourishment experience. We often go to a restaurant to join friends and bask in the ambience as much as to relish the food. If joining friends or family is the reason for the trip, consider alternatives to a lavish four-course dinner. One option is to meet your friends for lunch. Some of the finest restaurants offer lunch-sized portions at prices much reduced from dinner prices. You can enjoy your friends or family in the same wonderful atmosphere with the same delicious food, while saving money with a much lower dent in your retirement dollars.

Meeting for breakfast, especially a late breakfast, is another option. You can consider it brunch, but avoid overpriced weekend or holiday brunches at hotels or restaurants. They offer more food than you could possibly eat, so you end up paying for the selection rather than the meal. Instead, choose a restaurant that specializes in breakfast and lunch only. Menu items are usually fresh and healthy, and costs are far below those on dinner menus.

You could alternatively meet at a coffee shop to enjoy a warm and soothing latte or cappuccino. If you want this to substitute for a lunch or breakfast, you can have one of the decadent pastries with your coffee. Keep in mind, the nutrition is minimal and the calorie count is scary, but cost will be less than most full meals.

If evenings are your preference or your only option, early-bird dinner specials are a common way to save money. Resourceful ideas can help you save money, as well. If you like early dining, consider having cocktails and appetizers. It seems nearly every bar or cocktail lounge has happy hour specials, which often include appetizers for $5 or less. You can enjoy your favorite cocktail and split two or three appetizers rather than buying a full meal. The cost is sometimes amazingly cheap and it can be a lot of fun in your thrifty retirement. Of course, it's "bar food" and sometimes not healthy eating, but salads and soups are often among the selections. Choose wisely.

If cocktails are not what you want, you can save money on a pricey main course by going out for just dessert. Enjoy a simple salad at home and then splurge by splitting a decadent dessert, followed by rich after-dinner coffee. The best part of the meal is at your favorite restaurant, where you can relax and leisurely enjoy the atmosphere and the company.

But if it's a special occasion or you want the complete experience, a full-blown dinner at a 4-star restaurant might be the only thing that will do. First, check the restaurant's website, or other websites featuring coupons, to see if you can take advantage of any specials they offer. In this economy, even the finest dining establishments offer coupons featuring 20% to 50% off. If those are not available, you might want to split an entree. There is sometimes a small charge for that, but it's almost as good as getting one free. In the end, if you each want your own entree and you have no discounts, take consolation in the fact that you can take home half your meal and eat it the next day. It's a little like reliving the pleasure.

Copyright 2009 by Linda Manley