As we approach the holiday season, one of the things that always has an impact on our budget is the increase in dining out—meeting friends for holiday meals, dining with the family after a long day of shopping or just being too tired after preparing for Thanksgiving all week to cook even one more meal. Did you know the night before Thanksgiving is one of the highest volume pizza delivery days? It is second only to Superbowl Sunday! So, while the holidays are still several weeks away, I wanted to prepare you by sharing my favorite tips and tricks for dining on a budget, no matter how expensive your tastes may be.

It starts with paying attention. Watch for Family and Kids’ Nights in your area. Restaurants often have a special night designated once per week geared to children and families. Not only can you be sure that everyone in the restaurant will be understanding if your toddler has a meltdown before the entrees ever arrive, you may find special deals like free kids meals. Others have special features like mascots, magicians or balloons. There are several resources available to seek out the specials in your area.

Birthday or Loyalty Clubs exist at a variety of restaurants. Sign up for their newsletter and register your birthday to receive special offers, free coupons or loyalty bonuses. Many will send you a coupon on the anniversary of your membership or your birthday. To prevent getting 6 coupons in one week, spread out your registrations. Picking one restaurant this month, another favorite next month and so on will ensure you’ll have offers to choose from throughout the year.

You can also find restaurant coupons in the Sunday newspaper coupon inserts, Entertainment book, regional savings magazines and on restaurant websites. Another coupon option is Restaurant.com. These dining certificates can often be purchased at deep discounts. The participating restaurants vary by area and range from family to fine dining. Each certificate will have its own restrictions and minimum purchase requirements, but you can buy them for a fraction of the price. Just be sure you understand how to use them before you get started.

Of course, being frugal doesn’t mean we can’t be generous with the fabulous people who serve our meals. Always remember to tip your server on the full value, not the reduced price after your coupons and discounts. You’ll still be saving money, just not at the expense of someone else’s income. Because there are plenty of other ways to live your life inexpensively!