Savvy spending when getting sloppy
Whether it’s a big day for binge drinking like St. Patrick’s Day or just your average Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, drinking can take a huge toll on your wallet. Luckily, there are some precautions you can take to ensure a time of heavy drinking doesn’t necessarily equal a time of heavy spending.
As always, you’re going to want to look at your budget. How much can you afford to spend on going out? How much are you willing to spend? We have all had those times where you sacrifice a few groceries for a few extra drinks at the bar. It’s not always the best choice, but it’s a possibility, and we should really be taking that into account.
Stick with it. A great way to stay within your budget is to take the exact amount of cash with you and leave your debit card and visa at home. If you’re someone who tends to take a lot of cabs, I recommend leaving your cab money at home & running in to grab it when the cab driver drops you off. That way, you can still stay within your budget and get home safe and sound with ease.
Have a go-to drink. Heading to the LCBO with an idea of what you’re going to drink can cut back costs substantially. Trying something new or buying multiple different mickeys can be more expensive than buying a 26’er or a 40 of your favourite liquor. If you’re more of a beer person, consider grabbing tall cans of your favourite brew. Keep an eye out for deals when you’re getting your alcohol, and make sure you always maximize your alcohol allocation when visiting the states.
Consider making your own wine or beer. There are a variety of places in Guelph where you can go and have wine and beer made for you. Buying in bulk has substantial up front costs, of course, but over the course of the semester (or even the school year), you can save stacks of cash.
Make sure you plan ahead. Knowing what you’re going to do is always a great way to save money. If you’re hitting up a few keggers on Monday, think about how much you’ll be spending to get in. Also consider if you will be taking a cab. If you look at these things before you begin your beverage intake, you might have more luck at saving your cash.
Extend thy pre-drink. Obviously this only applies when you’re going downtown or somewhere that charges on a per-drink basis. Make sure you maximize your time spent pre-drinking so you can minimize your dollars spent at the bar. With that being said, make sure that if you’re going to a bar that has a cover prices that change throughout the night, you take the cost change into account.
Keep an eye open for sales. This is more for your outfits. But there have been many a time when I’ve been going somewhere ‘nice’ and had to buy a new outfit last minute. If there is even a remote possibility that this may happen to you in the future, stay on the lookout for great deals. Having a new outfit in your closet is good for special outings and it takes the stress out of the last-minute outfit shop that can often lead to overspending.
Consider taking a break from the booze. Drinking alcohol is one of the most frivolous ways you can spend your precious student dollars. Look at the potential alternatives and consider a night in with friends that might involve playing cards, board games, or watching movies. All of these things can be free, or at least relatively cheap, and can often offer up a more memorable experience.