Mondays Just Got Better With Applebee's Half-Off Burgers Through the End of the Summer

If you're on a tight budget but still love dining out, you'll need to get creative to keep your expenses in check. Fortunately, there are smart strategies to help you save money — or even score free meals — at your favorite restaurants.

One of these wallet-friendly options is Applebee's current promotion, which makes Mondays a prime day for burger enthusiasts. While "Fry-day" is universally known as the day for fries, Applebee's is making a case for "Burger Mondays" with its limited-time offer: Buy one burger and get a second one half-off.

Here's how it works: Every Monday from Aug. 12 through Sept. 9, customers can enjoy this deal by purchasing any burger from Applebee's and receiving the second one at half price. The offer is available for pickup and delivery orders made through Applebee's website or app using the promo code 'BURGERS.'

Applebee's menu features a wide selection of different burgers, including the Whole Lotta Bacon Burger, piled high with Applewood-smoked bacon and topped with American cheese; the Quesadilla Burger, a fusion of flavors with Pepper Jack cheese, crispy bacon, and pico de gallo served in a cheddar quesadilla; and the Whisky Bacon Burger, a juicy patty with Pepper Jack cheese, crispy onions, and a Fireball Whisky-infused steak sauce.

Want to know more ways to score free grub at your favorite restaurants? Before your next dining-out excursion, read these tips to help you enjoy your favorite meals without breaking the bank.

Don't miss: 8 clever ways to save money so you can still afford to eat out

1. Sign up for restaurant loyalty programs

Restaurant loyalty programs are a great option if you frequent a particular restaurant on a regular basis and you're looking to keep more money in your bank account .

Depending on the program, you can earn points for the number of orders you make or the amount of money you spend. Earn enough points, and you might get a free reward.

If your reward is from a chain restaurant, remember to check out other restaurants that are owned by the same parent company, as you may be able to earn rewards or cash them in at those restaurants as well.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

2. Participate in surveys

Check your receipt the next time you go out to eat and make sure you read all of it.

Some restaurants include a survey at the bottom of the receipt that can earn you free food on your next visit if you complete it.

Surveys don’t take much time and can be worth it if you earn free food by giving a restaurant feedback about your experience.

3. Attend grand openings or events

Grand openings are not only a great time to celebrate a new restaurant, but they can also be a successful way to earn free food.

For example, Chick-fil-A gives out coupons to the first 100 customers who show up to an opening of their newest restaurants. The coupons allow users to get a free Chick-fil-A sandwich each week for a year.

Some Wendy’s locations also have explored the “free food on opening day” concept.

Enjoying our content? Click the Follow button above to see more from us.

4. Use coupons or discounts

Coupons and discounts are an easy way to trim the cost of your final bill. You might even be able to find some freebies in there as well. Look online before you go out to eat to see which discounts and freebies are available.

And remember to check your email if you signed up for a restaurant’s newsletter or promotional emails. There may be some extra deals in there for you to use.

5. Download the app

Plenty of restaurants have apps now that track your spending and reward your loyalty.

But did you know that just signing up for an app can get you some free food? A variety of restaurants reward customers with free food when they become an app user.

For example, McDonald’s will give you free large fries for downloading the app and spending $1 at its restaurants.

6. Celebrate your birthday

Your favorite restaurant may ask for your birthday when you sign up for a loyalty program or app. They do this so they can offer extra perks on or around your birthday.

For example, Starbucks Rewards customers celebrating a birthday can get a free drink, food item, or bottled drink from the coffee shop. You can also enjoy free desserts like a scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins or a free dessert from Chili’s.

Remember to check your rewards privileges, as many birthday rewards require you to be a part of the restaurant’s loyalty program or to use the app.

Food Deals: 15 restaurant apps that give you food absolutely free

7. Take advantage of senior discounts

Some restaurants give out freebies to seniors, which can help if you are living on a fixed income.

Check with your local favorite restaurants to see if they have freebies for seniors, as the options may vary from store to store.

Some restaurants may give seniors free drinks or free refills on drinks, and you can also ask about senior discounts to save extra cash.

8. Get free upsizes

It’s not just about getting free items but also getting free upsizes. These give you more bang for your buck when you spend money at certain restaurants.

For example, Burger King will give you free upsizes on fries and drinks if you download and use the restaurant’s app.

Pro tip: Being persistent with your favorite restaurant can eliminate some money stress if you frequent the restaurant consistently.

9. Become a mystery shopper

Restaurants may use mystery shoppers to get a reading on how the establishment performs for guests. If you are a mystery shopper, you can get free food.

Check out different mystery shopper programs to find one that can fit you the best. And remember that while your food may be paid for, you will have to observe specific details and answer questions as part of your job as a mystery shopper.

Bottom line

There are plenty of options to keep more money in your bank account when eating at or ordering from restaurants.

A great place to start is downloading the app for your favorite restaurants to see what kind of discounts or free food you can get. But don’t overlook the other tips on this list that can help you earn free food today.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).