As we’ve told you before, every day is National “SOMETHING” Day…
And for every one of those days there are researchers out there tracking your observance of that day. And there are ‘experts’ out there telling you how you could ‘do that day better next time.’ It’s part of America! It’s just who we are!
So…What Is Today???
Well, somewhat appropriately—since it’s the first day of the College Football Season—
Saturday, September 2nd is ‘NATIONAL TAILGATING DAY’.
It appears, however, that the folks promoting National Tailgating Day have a special challenge this year—according to those researchers we mentioned before. Because people are trying their best to SAVE MONEY.
According to a recent survey conducted by TopCashback.com (TopCashback), a popular ‘cash back’ site, nearly half (49%) of Americans are cutting back on expenses for sporting events this year.
The survey polled a cross-section of 2,041 US-based adults, aged 18 and over.
From bulk-buying hot dogs and hamburgers to purchasing team merchandise on eBay, there are ways to save money on your game day expenses. Here are five tips to help your wallet “win” the budgeting game this tailgating season from TopCashback’s Team of Money-Saving Experts:
Compare prices. To save money on game day tickets, shop around on different sites to find the best deal. Consider any available coupons and promotions you may be able to use, and consider shopping through a cash back website, like TopCashback — which guarantees the highest percentage of your money back on qualifying purchases at over 7,000 retailers, including Ticketmaster, Stubhub, Gametime and VividSeats.
Know your perks. Research the venue you’re attending to see if there are special discounts on tickets or merchandise available for cardholders from a specific bank or credit card provider. You may also get access to special VIP packages or additional entry points to the stadium as a cardholder, depending on the venue.
Plan ahead. When purchasing items for a tailgate party, create a shopping list beforehand to limit unnecessary purchases. Be sure to communicate with the rest of your tailgating group to determine who should bring which supplies and/or food items. Ensuring that no one brings the same item(s) and that everyone has something they like to eat and/or drink is a great way to save costs.
Be smart with bulk buys. If you’re planning to have a large tailgating group, consider buying items in bulk such as food to grill, cups and plates. However, bulk buying isn’t always favorable. Research the options available for each item and compare the cost per unit to find out which is the best deal. To calculate this, simply divide the price of the bulk product by the number of items it contains.
Buy secondhand merchandise. Team merchandise will likely be available in the venue, but at an inflated cost due to convenience. Instead of waiting until you’re at the game, look to purchase official team merchandise beforehand through resale websites and apps, such as eBay, Poshmark and Depop. Not only is this better for the environment, but it can also come with huge savings for your wallet. The local thrift stores surrounding the venue are a great place to look for team merchandise as well. You may even be able to find rare or vintage merchandise, which can be a great conversation starter at your next tailgate event.
