How Not to Let Bar Hopping Bust Your Wallet
Aside from the stomach-turning side effects of chasing down a bottle of Budweiser (BUD) with two shots of tequila, you can easily lose track of spending at the bars. Want to still be the life of the party? Here are some sobering tips from financial reporter Farnoosh Torabi, author of You're So Money:
Prepare
Before hitting the bars, consider having a gathering at a friend's home with cocktails or drinks to limit spending at the bars. The math here is simple. A bottle of wine in restaurants or bars is usually marked up 100% or 200%, at least. Meantime, one bottle of beer can run $5 or $6, which, depending on the brand, can cost as much as a six-pack. If you're planning to drive into town after the pregame party, always determine a designated driver.
Along the same lines, if you're heading out for dinner, map out restaurants that let you bring your own bottles of wine. Here are some suggestions for ones that we love, all under $10.
Pay Per Drink
Avoid opening a tab at the bar with your credit card. Forget the plastic, as you are more likely to spend recklessly. The consequence can be one monstrous bill at the end of the night.
Instead, bring cash and pay for each individual drink at a time. Remember tipping is about $1 per drink if you pay individually. It's otherwise expected you pay 15 to 20% on a tab, which is generally more money, too.
