You’ve had a long, hard week and want to get out on the town with your friends to celebrate the weekend. There’s just one problem: you’re on a tight budget. Whether you’re trying to save up for a big purchase, are working to pay off your credit cards or just want to be a bit more thrifty, it’s hard to have a fun weekend with a spending limit. Fortunately, there are several ways to have your cake and eat it too.
In Orlando, you can find plenty of restaurants with cheap drinks. And several restaurants have impressive happy hours that will fit your budget goals. But if you plan on staying out later than 7 pm, you’ll need to come up with a spending strategy. Here are a few ways to be a weekend warrior while sticking to a budget.
Bar hop in just one area of town
While it may be tempting to roam all over the city, it’s a good idea to stick to just one area of downtown Orlando. That way, you can save money on taxis or parking and can easily walk from one bar to the next. Plus, it will allow you to easily meet up with friends since you’ll all be in the same vicinity.
Have a snack before you head out
Most people tend to splurge on bar foods and high-priced restaurant items during the weekend. But if you’re trying to stick to a budget, it can be hard to maintain your spending limits when you add drinks and food onto the tab. Have a snack at home before you head out for the night so that you have a bit more staying power at the bar. And if you get hungry later on in the night, see if the bar or restaurant has any food specials.
Look for drink specials ahead of time
You may not realize it, but almost every bar and restaurant has a happy hour. And each happy hour is a little different, either by time or eligible items. So if you want to capitalize on affordable pricing, plan out your night around drink and food specials. While happy hour may not get you cheap drinks past 7 pm, it will certainly put you in the right mindset without spending a lot of money right away.
Find money-saving apps
There are plenty of apps out there that reward customers just for going out on the town. For example, apps like Dollar Off Drinks give you a dollar for every drink you order at participating restaurants. So by the end of the night, you could have earned a drink back! Check out the app store on your smartphone to find apps that partner with bars and restaurants so you can save money and enjoy your weekend.
You don’t have to feel left out just because you’re working towards a financial goal. We here at Dollar Off Drinks want everyone to have the opportunity to let loose and enjoy the weekend! Just try some of these spending-savvy tactics, and you’ll be able to have your fun while being responsible.
If you’re curious to learn more about how you can save with Dollar Off Drinks, download our app! And if you have a friend who wants to save money without skipping on their Saturday night plans, buy them a discount card online. And, of course, make sure you and your friends drink responsibly. Party on!
