RESTAURANT COUPONS

Originally aired May 9, 2008

IF GAS PRICES HAVE YOU CUTTING BACK, THERE ARE WAYS TO STILL EAT OUT AT RESTAURANTS AND GET A DEAL.

CONSUMER ADVISOR CLARK HOWARD IS SAVING YOU MONEY BY SHOWING US 3 WAYS TO SAVE AT RESTAURANTS.

At Mittie's Tearoom in historic Roswell, Megan Tanner and her friends are celebrating.

"It's a fun girls day out today. It's kind of a treat, without our kids or husbands."

What Megan and her friends didn't know is this: Their lunch could be a lot cheaper with a coupon. But who knew a place like this has coupons?

"No, we did not know that," Megan says.

Stephanie Nelson of CouponMom.com says Mittie's Tearoom isn't the only restaurant to do this.

"You can eat at very nice restaurants, you just need to know where to look."

Stephanie says there are 3 main ways to save at nice restaurants.

First up: Restaurant.com . Put in your zip code you'll see a list of restaurants where you can get a $25 gift certificate for only $10.

Here's a way to save even more: Use a coupon website, like CouponMom.com, and you'll save another 40% -- getting a $25 gift certificate for only $6.

And at the end of the month, it gets even better.

"So towards the end of the month, you might pay as little as $3 or $4 for the $25 dollar coupon. But I have site users who are very savvy. At the end of the month, they'll get $500 worth of certificates at 70% off."

The coupons are good for a whole year.

Another way to find coupons is to search local websites. CobbShops.com is one of Stephanie's favorites. Or go right to the source.

"Whenever I go to a restaurant, I go to the website, I see if they have an email newsletter, I look for links that say promotions. And if they ever ask for your birthday or anniversary tell them, because they're going to e-mail you a coupon or maybe a free dinner coupon, on those occasions."

But what if you're embarrassed to use a coupon? There's still a way to get a great deal at nice restaurants: RewardsNetwork.com . Just go to their website, join and register your credit card.

Your credit card will record your spending and you will get a cash back rebate in your rewards network account, anywhere form 10-20% depending on the restaurant.

Now, there is a fee to join: $49 dollars. But leave it to Stephanie to find a way around that.

"If you go to CouponMom.com in the restaurant section, there's a link that will let you join free."

Stephanie is never embarrassed to use a coupon. But even the Coupon Mom says there's one time using a coupon is not recommended.

"As much as I believe in coupons, the only time I would say you really don't want to use a coupon is on your first date."

"Well, I broke that rule," Clark says. "I do a lot. But she married me anway. What was she thinking? But I tell you, if you have a coupon, use the thing! There's no shame in it. In fact, I find it's pride and joy. I'm Clark Howard, Channel 2 Action News."