Inexpensive Super Bowl Party

This is a guest post from Craig Kessler, frequent 20somethingfinance commenter and the face of the interactive budgeting application, Budget Pulse.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. It won’t be as exciting of an event for me this year because my beloved NY Giants got upset, but I am still looking forward to fun times with my friends and some great football action.

Parties will be sprouting up across the country and tons of people are going to be huddled around the TV to get a look at the action, and maybe the commercials as well. Hosting a party can be a lot of fun, but the expense of doing so can be downright depressing. Here are five tips for saving on Super bowl Sunday.

Cooking for Your Super Bowl Party

Buying and cooking appetizers yourself can help save a lot of money. You can buy quality food that takes no time to cook or microwave so it can be ready for your guests. If you have the option of buying from a bulk wholesale store like Price Club, Costco, Sams, or BJ’s, you can even save more money on many essential items.

**Prices vary from supermarket and restaurant**

Wings for 25 People (125 Wings)

• Buffalo D’s Wings – “ $7.99 per 10 (10% discount 50 or more) – $93.48 (note: Buffalo D’s is a local operation, but Buffalo Wild Wings has similar pricing also)
• Wegmans 32 oz Tyson Family Wings – “ $6.99 w/savings card – $55.9 (approx. 16 wings/bag)
• Savings – $37.56

Mozzarella sticks for 25 People (approx. 72 sticks)

• Buffalo D’s Mozzarella Sticks – “ $7.29/per 6 – $87.48
• Wegmans Mozzarella Sticks 8oz (approx. – “ $1.99 (w/savings card) -$17.91
• Savings of – $69.57

What’s Cheaper: Keg Beer Vs. Cases of Beer

This is the most logical decision and can help save you a lot of money. If you are planning on having a big party, and tossing some cold ones back, buying a keg over cases can save you big time money.

Beer for 25 People (drink responsibly, folks)

• 6 ½ Cases (165 cans) of Budweiser – $130.33
• ½ bbl (15 ½ gal) of Budweiser – $68.95
• Savings of $61.38

BYO (Everything)

Just because you are hosting the party, doesn’t mean you have to take care of all the costs involved. Form a plan with your buddies who will be attending to each bring a different food or drink item. This way you can mix of your variety and keep things interesting, as well as eliminating major costs for you.

Baking for the Super Bowl

Feeling like getting your hands dirty and impressing your friends? Try doing some baking. Nothing beats a good home cooked cookie. Cooking in bulk can help save the costs from store bought snacks.

Don’t Bet on the Super Bowl

Everyone loves a friendly wager around big games like this. If you’re team is not in it, it makes it more interesting. Just don’t go overboard. If you are in the standard box pool, 1-2 boxes will be fine. No need to go crazy with 8-10 just to feel like you will win your money back.

Try keeping side bets to a minimum. I always have random $1 bets with friends on anything during the game we can think of. The coin toss, what the next play will be next commercial, etc. Money will be going back and forth making things interesting and the bets fun, but you will only end up winning or losing a few bucks making it easier to nurse the loss if you do.

What are some of your super saving techniques for the upcoming Super Bowl?

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