Don’t let restaurants rip you off! Here’s how

Q: My husband and I like to go out to dinner every now and again. Do you have any advice on ways to avoid overspending in restaurants?

A: Every year, the average American household spends nearly $2,000 dining out. And as we work longer hours, leaving us less time to cook, that number will undoubtedly head skyward. That's reason enough to approach dining in a restaurant as any other consumer experience. I'm not saying you need to haggle over every item on the bill; just make sure you know where rip-offs are likely to lurk. Here's some advice:

Specials: Beware of servers who push specials without quoting a price or that aren't written anywhere. It's not unusual for them to be more expensive than every other item on the menu. Simply ask how much they are as he lists them. After you ask a couple of times, he'll get the idea.

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Bottled water: Bottled water (along with egg dishes, pasta dishes, and coffee) is a huge profit center for restaurants. Beware of a place that starts pouring and doesn't stop. And unless you have reason to dislike the local tap water, stick with that.

Wine: Another huge profit center is wine (and other alcoholic beverages). To keep costs under control, either forgo wine or try to make choices at the cheaper end of the wine list. After that, be certain the bottle you order is the bottle you receive. Sometimes less expensive varieties (or less expensive vintages) are substituted for pricier versions, but the restaurant still charges you the higher price. Pay attention to what you order, and if there's something wrong with a bottle, don't hesitate to call the waiter over for a second opinion or to simply send it back.

Only on TODAY.MSNBc.com! Financial editor Jean Chatzky answers your questions about personal finance. LAST WEEK: Attention shoppers: Better service on aisle five GO TO ALL MONEY MONDAY COLUMNS

Tips: Tips are your prerogative. If you feel as if service was lacking, you don't need to give your server a full 15 to 20 percent. However, if there was a problem with the meal that wasn't your waiter's fault, he or she shouldn't be penalized.

Jean Chatzky’s Bottom Line
This week: How to cut your energy bill
With energy prices on the rise, it is even more important to be savvy with your utilities. (Did you check out your latest bill?) Here are some tips to help you keep your energy usage in check and save you a few bucks.

• Look for the Energy Star label. You can save 30 percent off your heating and cooling bills by buying appliances and electronics with the Energy Star label, which is issued by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Administration.
• Change your light bulbs. Compact, fluorescent bulbs (which will cost you more than your typical bulb) use 20 percent of the energy of a regular light bulb and have amuch longer lifespan.
• Turn off your computer. Turning off electronic appliances, such as a TV or a computer, will save you a few cents an hour.

Jean Chatzky is the financial editor for “Today,” editor-at-large at Money magazine and the author of “Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know About Your Finances and Your Future.” Copyright ©2004. For more information, go to her Web site, www.JeanChatzky.com.

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