Super Bowl, Super Savings
Posted By :Elena Difiore
Posted At : Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011
It’s that time of year again. The big game is just around the corner and you want to enjoy it with friends but you’re afraid a party isn’t in your budget. Well here at Unlock Your Wealth, we’ve compiled some great tips and tricks for throwing a low-cost Super Bowl party that’s sure to be enjoyed and remembered by all.
Location
With its dozens of TVs and delicious wings and beverages, it’s tempting to go out and watch the game at a local sports bar. However, going with a large group of friends can be draining on your wallet. After you factor in the mark-up on the food and beverages, especially the beer, in addition to the possible automatic gratuity (depending on how large your group is), the whole experience could cost you a pretty penny. Try opting for a more personal location instead, such as your house or a friend’s house-it’s usually wisest to choose the house with the largest television. The beverages and food you purchase from the store will undoubtedly be cheaper than at a restaurant and the best part is that you don’t have to tip anyone!
Food
The best way to save money on food is to have a potluck Super Bowl party. Tell all of the friends you invited to bring their favorite Super Bowl dish. You can provide a few main entrées and have everyone else bring their favorite side dishes or just divide all of the food up evenly. It’s wise to start a list and keep track of what people are bringing so you don’t end up with five bowls of onion dip and one package of brats. Depending on how large the guest list is, it may be wise to purchase items such as hamburgers and hotdogs in bulk from your local Costco or Sam’s Club to save a few dollars.
Drinks
A great way to save money on beverages is to keep it simple. Stick with drinks like water, soda, and beer. Hard alcohol can be much more expensive and you want to make sure everyone enjoys the game and doesn’t get too out of control too early on. Cans of beer tend to be the cheapest and most of the time you can find great deals by buying in bulk at wholesale stores.
Decorations
If you’re dead-set on saving as much money as possible, then you should forgo the decorations altogether. However, if you feel the party won’t be the same without them, try heading to your local 99-cent store for some festive additions. You can find affordable ribbons and streamers in your favorite team’s colors as well as items like plain tablecloths that you can reuse at a later date.
A Super Bowl party is meant to be a laid-back, fun experience with friends. There’s no need to complicate it with expensive drinks and over-the-top decorations. When people look back on your party in the years to come, they won’t remember what flavor of wings you bought or the intensity of your decorations. Try to keep in mind that the most important thing is enjoying the game with those around you.
