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Thrifty Tailgating Tips to Kick-Off Football Season on a Budget

Fire up the grill and get ready for kickoff; football season is here. What goes hand-in-hand with football season? Tailgating of course. Fans everywhere are honing secret recipes and stocking up on supplies to make their party dominate the parking lot. It’s important, however, to be mindful of spending, as the festivity’s cost can quickly add up, from team memorabilia to beer and food.

Before you put the finishing touches on your tailgate plans, try out a few of these thrifty tips.

Thrifty Tailgating Tips to Kick-Off Football Season on a Budget

Thrifty Tailgating Tips to Kick-Off Football Season on a Budget:

1. Team Up

The atmosphere at a major tailgate party is all about community, but don’t be fooled; there are plenty of freeloaders floating around.

Avoid overspending by getting some friends in on the action.

Assign a couple of people to drinks, several to snacks, and you take care of the grill and meat.

Consider it a sports-centric potluck that cuts costs for everyone.

Need some culinary inspiration?

Tailgating.com has dozens of free, fan-submitted recipes perfect for game day.

2. Carpool

With fuel prices at an all-time high, it’s wise to carpool so you can split the costs of gas and parking.

Depending on how often your posse goes to games, devise a schedule and assign driving duties fairly.  

You can also post a ride and charge a small fee to cover gas and mileage for each seat.

3. Fan Gear for Less

The signs of a high-quality tailgate include a team flag flying high and jerseys as far as the eye can see.

Even if you don’t have a jersey, there’s no excuse for not wearing team colors.

Pre-made salads, sandwich platters, and cured meats may be easy choices, but they’re also much more expensive, with mark-ups reaching nearly 100 percent.

You can save a lot on food by preparing your own before leaving home.

Buy larger slabs of meat from the butcher and cut them up yourself.

Depending on the number of people participating in the tailgate, consider buying some food items like cheese, chips, condiments, and hot dogs in bulk from stores like Costco for savings up to 30 percent.

5. Get Your Game On

There are only so many things to do in a parking lot, so it’s key to include a few simple games in your plans, like a football to toss around.

Lawn games like Corn Hole and Washers are also entertaining choices and can be found at reasonable prices among major retail chains like Sports Authority or Sears.

For those with a crafty hand, consider building a board game from scratch for a fraction of the cost.

6. Borrow Before Buying

Tailgating requires a lot of supplies, from oversized coolers and pop-up canopies to folding tables and chairs.

Before heading to the store to buy whatever gear you’re lacking, find out if you can borrow from friends, neighbors, or coworkers.

7. Bring the Tailgate Home

There’s nothing like attending the game among other screaming fans, but when budgets are tight it’s time to bring the tailgate home.

You’ll save on gas, parking, and game tickets.

Don’t forget, sometimes it’s just more fun to watch a big game at home, anyway; You get the benefit of multiple hi-def replay angles and a comfy couch seat while you avoid fighting the traffic of a crowded parking lot after a long day of tailgating.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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