Hi Friends,

Dining out can be a fun family activity; it can also be a huge drain on the budget.  In our family, eating away from home is reserved for special occasions. The days are gone when sharing a plate between two people was the only way to save money. T
Thankfully, there are now many ways to save money while enjoying a meal out on the town: 

• Most restaurants serve lunch specials until 4:30 in the afternoon and also offer discounts on "early bird" dinners. Taking advantage of these specials can save as much as half off the bill.
• Many family-friendly restaurants have a night per week when up to two children per paying adult can eat free.
• Coupons for dining out can be found not only in the Sunday paper and on websites such as Groupon and Living Social, but also by signing up for e-mails with favorite chain restaurants. These restaurants often send e-mails containing valuable coupons for birthdays and anniversaries and during special promotions.
• Check restaurant.com for participating restaurants in your area. Coupons often go on sale for as little as $1 for a $25 coupon. I've used them several times with no difficulty, though you'll want to be sure and read the fine print.

By planning ahead, restaurant dining does not have to be a bottomless pit for your pocketbook.

One of my favorite money-saving tricks while eating out is to skip dessert. These Peanut Butter Cookies from my cookbook In the Kitchen With Molly: 12 Weeks of Frugal Meals are sure to tame the sweetest tooth frugally.

Ingredients:    

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup peanut butter

¼ cup butter, softened

1 egg

2 tablespoons honey

1¼ cups whole wheat flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

Additional granulated sugar

Directions: 

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In a mixing bowl, beat together the granulated and brown sugars, butter, and peanut butter until well-mixed.
• Beat in the honey and the egg until well-blended.
• Combine the remaining ingredients and mix them in, beating until a soft dough forms.
• Shape the dough into small balls about 1¼ inches in diameter. Place the balls about 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Flatten the dough balls with a fork in a crisscross pattern. Dip your fork into the additional sugar before flattening.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and cool for one minute before removing the cookies from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack. 

You can find many more delicious recipes in my cookbook In the Kitchen With Molly at the Schoolhouse Store. 

Teaching table manners begins with learning not to throw our food.  And, often there it stagnates.  The art of dining has been lost in the modern age to the convenience of eating.  Rediscover dinner this week using these tips:

• Make home made place mats to teach basic place settings to children.
• Table manners are made easy with these non-negotiables.