Here are some ways to stretch your dining dollars at a restaurant

In today's story on desserts, many sources advised sharing restaurant desserts to save calories. It's also a way to stretch your dining dollars.

1. Use frequent-diners' cards. Many restaurants offer punch cards — if you buy 10 meals, the next one is free. For a family of six, it takes only two visits to earn a free meal.

2. Go out to lunch when menu prices are often a dollar or two less than dinner. Many buffets cost a couple dollars less before 4 p.m. (But check your restaurant — some have the same prices all day.)

3. Scour newspaper ads and restaurant Web sites for discounts. Sometimes restaurants offer "early-bird" specials so diners will fill the tables well before the 7 p.m. rush. Or they have two-for-one dinner promotions or coupons for a free appetizer on weeknights. OK, there's a little stigma to fanning out a stack of coupons, especially if you're trying to impress a date. But even Rachael Ray has been shown using coupons on her "$40 a Day" TV show on the Food Network.

4. Don't be afraid to ask about prices. Often the waiter will describe the night's "special" but not give the price. One of my friends followed the waiter's recommendation for a special tasting menu, assuming it was in line with the rest of the menu prices. It was actually about $50 more. Don't be intimidated by a waiter's attitude that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford to be here." That's a marketing ploy.

5. Compare before ordering. If a full-course dinner comes with soup, salad, drink and dessert, it's only a great buy if you really want (or need) all of it. You may be satisfied ordering an a la carte entree without the extras. This same principle works with combo meals at fast-food restaurants. If you really want just a burger, don't feel obligated to order a "value meal" to save a few cents on the fries and drink.

6. At fast-food restaurants, order a kids' meal for yourself (if there's no age limit). Most of the time, you're getting a healthier portion of food (and a toy to boot!).

7. Guard against the up-sell. If you're asked if you'd like sour cream or guacamole on your taco, is it $1 extra? If so, you might not want it that much. Or when the waiter says, "Now let me start you out with a plate of our fabulous onion rings," stop him right there. A simple "Oh, does that cost extra?" can clarify.