Many places are suffering from fewer customers because of the economy, if you want to use some of your entertainment dollars at a restaurant, check and see if the restaurant offers specials on a certain day. Some restaurants offer specials on weekdays to try to get people in. Often you can get a pre fixe, three course meal, of an appetizer, soup or salad and main course for considerably less than the regular prices in the restaurant. The prices may be more expensive than a chain restaurant or comparable depending on what you generally order and what you eat.

Last time our book club went out for dinner there was a pre fixe menu at a French restaurant for $25 which included three courses. If not ordering from the pre fixe menu, the least expensive entree alone would have cost $18. This is more expensive than going to a burger joint or getting pizza from a chain restaurant, but if you want to splurge frugally seek out menu specials at nicer restaurants where you can have a good time and also enjoy a meal for less than you thought.