This is an old trick that you’ll probably hear from most college students, but it can be applicable to adults as well. It’s called pre-gaming. In college, it typically meant having a few drinks at your apartment before you headed out to a party. For our purposes, we’ll say it’s a glass of wine before jumping in a cab to meet some friends for an evening out. That’s sounds more “adult”, right? Either way, it can be a great way to save some money.
Financial Perks of Pre-gaming
For those who aren’t familiar, pre-game is a term used in the sports world for warming up. You’ll typically see an athlete stretching and going through some sort of routine before the game starts. That’s their pre-game warm-up. For our purposes, it’s just another way to save money.
Eating and drinking at home is always less expensive than going out. Consider this…
6-pack of domestic beer = $6 – $10 VS. 2 beers at a bar = $8 – $12
Pasta with Marinara at home = $6 VS. Pasta at a restaurant = $10 – $18
Prices may vary by location, but the bottom line is that you’ll spend less by eating and drinking at home. So, your warm-up is essentially filling up before you head out. If you have dinner at home, then you won’t need to buy much food at the restaurant. If you have a beer or a glass of wine before hopping in a cab to meet your friends, then that’s one less drink that you’ll need to buy at the bar.
So get your pre-game on, save some money, and enjoy your night out! Please be responsible and do not drive if you are drinking alcohol.
*Bonus tip: Have your friends pick up their favorite 6-pack or bottle of wine and an appetizer, and invite everyone over. That way, everyone saves some cash!
