Being frugal is hard. You've been so disciplined all week with your spending, you've kept to your budget, and you've even resisted buying that new thing you wanted to try. You are on target to meet your savings goals for this month, and then your colleagues at work invite you to the steakhouse around the corner for a tasty (and potentially pricey) meal and maybe even have a drink or three.

The Secret Fear of Becoming the Office Cheapskate

We all have our reasons for being frugal, but one thing is often true: no one wants to be known as the office cheapskate. The one who rarely spends money eating out but is always the first one in line for free food? The girl who digs out her pennies because she is only paying her portion of the bill and nothing more? The guy who conveniently forgets his wallet for the THIRD time when it is his turn to buy coffee for the team? Not cool, right?

Save Money Without Being a Cheapskate

Watching your budget if you join your colleagues for some social bonding at work may seem like a lost cause, but it doesn't have to be that way. You have many subtle ways to save on your food bill and still spend quality time with the company at, well, your company. Check out these ideas: