How to Tailgate On a Budget

Tailgating is a longstanding tradition in many college towns. Football fans from far and wide converge to their team's stadium, eating and drinking while listening to the big game. Tailgating, however, does not have to be expensive and can be fun on any budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cooler
• chilled foods
• plain paper products

1. Make your tailgating party a potluck. This will limit what you provide personally and is less expensive. Be creative and promote a chili or burger cook-off between your friends. Call everyone ahead of time and organize what everyone will bring so you have a wide array of choices.

2. Avoid cooking. Bringing chips and coolers full of dips or veggies is much less expensive than grilling brats, hot dogs or burgers and can be less of a hassle.

3. Make your own food. Items like potato salad, brownies, veggie trays and ice are much cheaper to make at home than to purchase at a store.

4. Avoid alcohol. While alcohol-free tailgating may not be for everyone, it is a cheaper way to go. If you do wish to drink make sure everyone knows they will need to provide their own alcohol.

5. Limit or avoid decorations. There is no need for streamers, tents, balloons or big foam fingers at your tailgating party, and they can quickly add up cost-wise. Using plain paper plates or colored plastic plates is easier on your budget.

6. Plan ahead. Start purchasing things early so to spread the expense across several weeks. Take advantage of sales in the weeks preceding your tailgating party. Buy things in bulk if possible, which is usually less expensive.

7. Park far away. If you tailgate at the football stadium, parking lots farther away from the stadium will be less expensive and easier on your budget. Try to find a free lot, if possible.