Tailgating on a Budget

Minute Read

Let’s be honest, the reason that people love to tailgate is because of 1) the team, 2) the people, and 3) the food. Think about all the sports events you’ve attended. The best ones were where your team won, you spent time with people you liked, and the food was awesome. However, the details are still important! Here are some solid tips to help you go the extra mile when you're hosting a tailgate on a budget.

1. Get creative with DIY decorations. Instead of purchasing your favorite team’s entire promotional item catalog, try creating some easy and budget-friendly decorations on your own. If your team’s colors are blue and white, purchase streamers in those colors and festively hang them up wherever you’re going to be spending most of your time.
2. Borrow tailgate gear or buy it on sale. Consider waiting to snag your apparel and gear when the season is ending or during the off-season. Generally, many stores discount their items to make way for new stuff in the following season. If you don’t have the funds to purchase at that time, you can always borrow clothing from a friend or family member.
3. Reuse supplies by using plasticware and washing it at home. I know what you’re thinking, “But plasticware is disposable.” Sure, it is, but it’s also reusable. You can wash your plasticware just as you can wash your silverware, so why wouldn’t you? You can then store the cleaned plasticware in its original container so it stays organized and easier to re-use.
4. Provide the main dish, and have guests bring sides and desserts. This is a great way to help out your bottom line when tailgating. In addition to filling out the spread, having your guests bring their sides also ensures that everyone will have something that they're happy with and able to eat.
5. Buy beverages in bulk or make it a BYOB event. Rather than spending tons of money on individual cans, work with a local craft brewery to purchase a keg. You’ll spend less overall and have more to go around. Let everyone know what you’re buying so that if they want another option, they can bring their drinks along.

Download a PDF of our budget-friendly tailgating tips.

Whether you’re saving up for your team’s newest swag or something different, we have savings accounts to help you save smarter. We can get you over the goal line if you have financial goals that you need help reaching. If you’re not a part of our faM1ly yet, take a few minutes to become a member and start working on those savings goals today.