Save the Pennies, and the Pounds will look after themselves
The main reason you find that people are staying away from the nightlife, and choosing to drink at home, is the price of having a good night out these days.
If you're the type who likes to go out and blow off some steam, you're looking at about £50 to £70 at the least.
But, we are penny savers in all other aspects of our lives; our food shopping, our clothes and it's now time to bring that bargain head into the drinking game.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a night out, without having to sit and stare at your bank account the next day through soggy eyes.
Pre-drinks- most of us now enjoy a good pre-drink before we leave the house, not just because it's a good way to catch up with our friends before we go to the clubs and can't hear a word anybody is saying, but because it makes our nights slightly cheaper.
Buying a bottle of our favourite beer, cider or spirit and having a little at home, brings us closer to that happy stage, and means we don't have to spend as much on our nights out.
Obviously don't drink too much, you don't want to be throwing up before you even set foot in town!
Good Music- drink will be the last thing on your mind when you can't even leave the dance floor incase you miss a good song. If you pick a place that plays your favourite type of music, or even just the top charts, you're going to be too busy throwing all the best shapes to even think about squeezing through the crowd to get to the bar. And what if you get halfway in there and your favourite song starts playing? It's not worth the risk.
Look for all the good deals - A good way to make sure you definitely don't spend more than you have to, is to look ahead online and research all the bars in your area. Find out where all the happy hours are, where the cheapest beers are and where the £1.50 Jaeger bombs are hiding. They don't taste fantastic, but after about 3 or 4, you won't care anyway.
Take a set amount of money-this may be a bit of a risk, but it'll teach you to think whether you REALLY want another daiquiri, or whether it's worth saving that extra £6 so you don't have to get out of the taxi half way down the street and freeze to death.
If you take about £50 out with you, or even £40, you’ll have to keep an eye on your cash to make sure you have enough saved to get home.
Get your hand down the side of that couch-Having lots of pound coins on a night out is always a good idea. It'll make it better for you paying drinks, and the person behind the bar won't have to fight to get that twenty pound note out of your fingers as you desperately try to hold on to it. So start feeling down the cushions, check pockets, bags, old purses, anywhere that little pound coins, 50ps and 20ps might be hiding. You might be THAT guy who's stood there counting their change but at least your nice crisp notes will be safe and sound in your pocket.
It's important to save those pennies when you can, so taking on some of these tips for your next night out might be a good idea!
If you have any of your own tips to keep your wallet nice and plump on a night out, why not share them in the comment.
By Ashleigh Panther