Can’t afford to go out?

It can be difficult when the check comes and you have to turn to your mate to pay, but there’s no shame in not having the funds to party every night. You just have to figure out a lifestyle that’s within your budget. There are tonnes of tips and tricks on how to have a pint without breaking the bank. We’re here to walk you through some of them.

Scoring the odd free drink from an admirer or a family member is all well and good. The problem comes when you’re constantly scrounging off a mate or lover because you can’t afford to go out; it can often feel like you’re pushing the limits of generosity and friendship. At worst, you could find yourself with a reputation as a free-loader. And that’s not something we want for you.

How to go out and still drink if you can’t afford it

If your mates earn a lot more than you and prefer to have expensive nights out, it isn’t out of line to expect them to buy the odd drink or pay the cab fare when you go out with them. You can return the favour by getting a couple of (cheaper) beers for them by the local pub or cooking them dinner. But if you’re constantly strapped for cash you may want to look to a more permanent solution:

Be honest 

If you’re really tight for money and it’s your turn to buy the drinks, you could be honest and just say you can’t afford it. Let them know that if someone gets the round this time, you’ll pay them back on pay day. Only offer to pay them back if you mean it though.

Buy your own 

You can opt out of rounds all together and just buy your own drinks. This way you know exactly how much you can spend, you don’t feel the need to keep up with everyone else, and you’re not stuck with a 30-drink round at the end of the night. It’s also a good way to keep an eye on how much you’re drinking. We know that the pressure to drink is overwhelming when you go to university so it’s important to know how much is too much. Read our article on the topic here.

Don’t drink alcohol every time you go out 

Drink soft drinks/tap water to keep the costs lower, or drink your beer slowly. Also find out if the bar is running any decent promos and drink them instead. Things like happy hour can really save your arse if you’re in a pinch. Maybe even suggest drinking at home one night and buy some cheap booze, that way your saving on drinks AND transport. Alternatively, plan a low-cost activity, like exploring London or visiting a dog shelter, that can keep you busy during the day and konk you out at night. That way, you won’t even be thinking about going to the pub!

Stay in 

If you cut down on your nights out, you’ll have more money to spend when you do go out, and thus less need to rely on mates to pay for everything. A movie night on the couch can be just as fun as a night at the pub. Just make sure to have the evening planned with a bunch of activities so everyone has a good time. Bottom line? Don’t be afraid to suggest new things to your friends or even just spend a night on your own, indulging in some self-care!

Here’s some extra ideas on how to save some dosh!

And if shame isn’t an issue: 

Hide in the loos 

Put yourself last in the queue to buy a round, then hide in the loos. Hopefully everyone will be too sloshed by that point to remember who’s round it is and you can convince someone else that it’s his or hers.

Disclaimer: We don’t really recommend this as an option. Being honest with your mates is always the best way to go and will help your friendship last in the long-run BUT if you’re in a super-super-super dire situation and see no way out, this might be a helpful last resort.