Drinking on the cheap

BUY IN BULK Just like groceries, buying drinks in bulk is a good way to save some cash. Buying shots for the whole table can be fun but it will also dig a hole in your pocket. Buying a pitcher of beer or sangria will last a lot longer than one shot per person. If you’re at a bar with friends, buy a pitcher rather than individual glasses, considering there are five 12-ounce cans of beer in a single pitcher. It’s a bargain.

PRIORITIZE HAPPY HOUR Most of us know that during happy hours, drinks are discounted. Look for bars with decent happy hours. Some bars have all-night specials letting you drink cheap past prime times. Some bars even offer early-morning happy hours for people who pull all-nighters at work. Go online and search for the bars in town that offer these specials.

PAY WITH CASH Instead of using your credit card, always use cash. Think ahead and decide on a spending limit before you leave for a party. Carry the amount with you that will curtail your drinking and spending. That way, if the money’s gone, the drinking’s done.

EAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE This prevents you from paying for food at the bar. However, eating too much will also require you to drink more to get a buzz going. Eating a light meal beforehand will prevent you from overspending.

GO DUTY-FREE If you like to indulge in expensive alcohol from time to time, buy it at the airport! Not only do you not have to pay taxes while travelling abroad, but some airport shops also offer great deals throughout the year. Liquor is probably the most popular duty-free purchase by travellers.

DRINK AT HOME Drinking at home is almost always cheaper than drinking at a bar or a restaurant. If you want to go to the bar for the mood and the ambience, be ready to pay the markup price. Drinking at home doesn’t necessarily have to be alone, you can call your family and friends over anytime! U