It’s time for some tailgating.
Time to set up in the stadium parking area. Time to spin some great tunes and fire up the grill. Time to enjoy an adult beverage or two. Or three. Or six. Hey, we won’t judge.
Now, it would be great to tailgate like royalty. Sear T-bone steaks and lobster tails and wash it all down with Dom Pérignon, barrel-aged bourbon or some Belgian craft beer brewed with truffles and juniper berries.
But we’re not doing that. Because we’re short on cash.
This is Savinly, so we’re going to tailgate on a budget.
After extensive and exhaustive field research — attending many, many tailgates — we’ve learned how to do it without blowing the budget. Yes, these are the sacrifices we make for our devoted readers.
Tailgating Like a Cheapskate — But With Flair
Our core tactic is simple: Make sure you get cash back when buying food and drinks.
Use the cash-back app Ibotta to snag rebates on groceries. Search the app as you build your shopping list, then scan your receipt with the app once you’re home with the haul. The typical user earns about $30 per month, according to the company.
When it comes to tailgating, Ibotta is especially useful for alcohol. The app features a lot of rebate deals for beer, wine and spirits, from $5 back on a case of Bud Light to $3 back on a bottle of Jim Beam.
Here are a few more pointers we gathered from an expert, Joe Cahn, who calls himself “The Commissioner of Tailgating.”
- One key to keeping tailgate expenses low is to invite pals and have them chip in.
- Pro tip: Leave one car at the stadium and have everyone else park farther away where it’s free. Then carpool, walk or use the bus or a game-day shuttle.
- This list of tailgating recipes under $1 per serving includes tasty black bean dip for chips and veggies, and caramel popcorn with peanuts.
- If you’ve got an 11 a.m. kickoff, swing by the grocery store that morning and check the day-old bread and pastry rack. Most stores mark down breakfast favorites like donuts and muffins — your friends won’t notice the difference.
- Skip the pricey coffee run and brew your coffee at home, then bring it along in a thermos.
Your Big-Ticket Item: The Grill
Sure, slow cookers are convenient. But to tailgate like a bona fide red-blooded American, you need a grill. How else will you sear meat, I ask you?
Even a modestly priced grill is a notable purchase. And like any big purchase, you should hunt for the best possible deal.
Try this step-by-step approach:
- Go browse grills at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Check them out in person.
- Sign up for Swagbucks, a site that rewards you for surveys, watching videos and shopping online. It can earn you cash back on purchases. You get $5 just for registering.
- Once you’re signed up, shop online for the grill you want at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Swagbucks partners with both retailers. You’ll earn one Swagbuck per dollar spent.
- On a major purchase like a grill, that can amount to a meaningful number of Swagbucks. The typical propane gas grill runs $100–$400, with higher-end stainless models costing $500–$1,500.
- You can redeem Swagbucks for gift cards. For context, 2,500 Swagbucks will buy a $25 PayPal gift card. Basically, you’re getting about 1% cash back on your new grill.
We’ll finish with more advice from Joe Cahn, the Commissioner of Tailgating:
In the end, tailgating isn’t really about the menu. It’s about the people, the vibe and the shared experience.
“Food tastes better with friends no matter what it is,” he said. “Sharing hot dogs or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with friends is far more fun than a 10-course feast with people you can’t stand.”
Alex Reed (alex.reed@example.com) is a senior writer at Savinly. He enjoys tailgating before a game mainly because his favorite football team is so endlessly exasperating.
