Wine and Wall Street

As a very social 20 something I get at least 3 invites to a happy hour per week. And while at first that may sound flattering, my wallet is not a fan. If I had to guess... I'd say that the portion of my entertainment budget that goes towards cocktail hours is... at least 70 percent. (I will actually calculate it for the month of august and get back to you.)

I am now desperately striving to cut back.  For example, this evening... I have readjusted my plans. What was going to be a great happy will now be a night in (that will be great too). Wine and Wall Street (the movie). Lucky me, I now have a roommate that supports my scheme to cut back and also loves cheap wines. Tonight's plans will not include a $20 tab, rather a borrowed flick and a $6 bottle of Riverboat White.

But one can not be a hermit just to avoid bar tabs - Here are some tactics I use to cut back on my happy hour overload:

1.) Always order what is on special, house wine or well anything. When a server asks, "What type of vodka?" I respond with, " Well is fine. It's cute you think I am classy."

2.) Pre-game: perhaps the greatest thing invented by college students. Enjoy a glass or two before heading out. Even a good idea for us grown ups.

3.) Plan the happy hour yourself: Choose a place that you know has a great special the night you'll be heading out.

4.) Meet up later. Grab dinner at home and then head out to paint the town red. Chances are you'll cut your tab in half if you skip dinner.

5.) Pay with your debit card. I swear I tip more when using cash. A dollar a drink always seems reasonable. But if the drink is $4 on special, and I pay a dollar for 4 of them my tip total will be 4 dollars rather than the normal 20% which is 3.20. Saving 80 cents seems small- but small things add up.

6.) Limit yourself to one happy hour during the work week. If the invite comes early enough you can make plans for the rest of the week and already have an excuse in the bag when invited. Plus, I am far less tempted to create or join a happy hour on the fly if my mind is set to doing something else.

7.) Don't be afraid to say no. Once I started saying no because of my budget I realized how many others were also wanting to do the same. Happy hours a friends place are a damn good time too. (SEE: my friend Jessica, and ask about the only time cops have ever visited her apartment.)

Got any ideas on how to make happy hours work on a budget?