Saving money doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to nights out. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just wanting to catch up with friends, hitting the local nightlife scene every once in a while is a pleasure not even the most frugal of frugals should have to forego. Partying on a budget is easier than you might think, furthermore. You can make significant savings just by keeping in mind the following tips…
Alcohol
Invite your friends over for pre-drinks. Not only will this save you money – it’s a great opportunity to arrange some drinking games and get some good conversation in before loud music will drown out any chance of that happening in the bar or club. Happy hour is your best friend – so do your research. Which bars offer happy hour and at what times? Plan a route accordingly, so that you have a different bar you can go to when happy hour ends at another. If you’re out of luck on happy hour, then order doubles. A double obviously costs more than a single, but if you’re certain you’d otherwise follow up with a second drink anyhow, then you’ll be saving money in the long-run by ordering a double.
Clubs
If you live in a place where clubs typically charge entry fees, then arriving early can save you money. Often, the clubs either let you enter for free, or at a reduced cost, before 11pm. Otherwise, take a look at the Facebook pages of various clubs in your area to find out on which nights they have special offers, or whether there is a guest list you can get yourself on (which might also help you avoid the queues!). Becoming a local and making friends with staff goes a long way in getting better treatment – which could include the occasional drink on the house!
Food
Eating before you go out will reduce the chance of late-night take away cravings, but you could also prepare and put aside a post-party snack for when you get home. In the case that you do end up ordering takeaway – check online for discount codes, and order something which can be shared (pizza, for example). Avoid eating at venues like cinemas or bowling halls, where food and drinks are typically over-priced. No matter how keen you are to save money – if you can afford to eat out, then you can afford to tip.
Shows, Concerts & Cinema
Theatre and cinema tickets are sometimes cheaper when buying online. Cinemas also typically have one night of the week on which tickets can be bought either two-for-one or at a reduced cost. Also look out for discount and promo codes on your theatre or cinema ticket – these sometimes contain offers that give you a percentage off on food, drinks or shopping from local stores. Sign up for the newsletters of your favourite venues to increase the chances of getting a reduced price, or early-buy opportunity, for an upcoming show.
Transport
Always walk to your destination if it safe to do so (which is as good for your fitness as your finance). Alternatively, use public transport. If you really must travel by taxi, research the cheapest firm and see if you have friends with which you can share the ride and split the costs. If you live in a place where it is acceptable to haggle with taxi drivers – then take advantage of this.
Casino
When you’re saving money, the casino might not be the best place for you. If you end up getting dragged along by friends, then play low-stake – and bet only on games where the odds are a little more in your favour. Set a strict budget for the night, and don’t be in a rush to spend it all at once. Some casinos also offer free drinks and snacks, so whilst you might end up losing $10 on the slot machines, you’ll make it up in Jack Cokes and mozzarella sticks.
Bowling & Arcades
Going to arcades and bowling alleys in bigger groups can help lessen the overall fees. For example, splitting a bowling lane between more people will help reduce the fee that each person is required to pay. Some arcades and bowling alleys also have money-saving deals whereby the cost for every round/game decreases the more you play – be sure to ask about these! Check online to see whether the arcade or bowling alley hosts any promotional nights where fees are cheaper.
Finally, take out cash instead of using your card, as it will be easier to keep track of how much you’re spending and thereby keep an eye on your budget. Withdrawing from a free ATM in advance also ensures that you aren’t charged ridiculous withdrawal fees later on in the evening. With all this and the above in mind, you could be saving $15-$85 on a night out. Add up these savings, and you’ve already got funds for next weekend…
James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.
