The Cheaply Chic Young Adult

Being twenty-two and still self seeking, I sat down one day and decided to reflect upon what has got to be the worst ways to blow money on a single outing with friends or colleagues. I thought to myself I'm still young and I want to have fun. But how far can having fun get until it is expensive and financially abusive? Here are a few scenarios that young adults can enjoy yet be able to live on a small budget without crying about living independently.

The Movie Buff

Let's see, a night at the movies shouldn't be too expensive right? The ticket will cost about $10.00, then we'll grab some popcorn at about $5.00. Of course, we'll need some gas to get there so let's say the neighborhood theater is about a few miles away from home so $2.00 would be the approximate cost of a round trip. Oh wait, the popcorn is making me thirsty mid movie and I need to satisfy my thirst and what is this? $3.00 for a large carbonated beverage?! Really? Ok, well I guess I'll have to splurge this time since I'm in need of a drink and of course, purchasing one outside of the theater and bringing it back in would be out of the question. Tonight, I spent about $20.00 on a movie alone for myself. Darn.

What alternative could I have possibly had?

Redbox movies are rented for only $1.00 plus tax a night. Popcorn at a grocery store for a small pack is around $2.00 (or hit up your local Target for a bag of fresh popcorn for a $1.00.) Now, let's grab a soda at the store while we're in line at the register and count change adding up to another $1.00 + tax. I'm sure these trips can be done at around the same distance as the theatre so $2.00 goes into my gas tank again. What? A movie night had only cost me $5.00 at the most?

The Risk Taker

Everyone's going to the new casino out of town and they've invited you to come along. You've decided to go and they've even offered you to ride with them. Sure, why not? Five hours later, you find yourself sitting down and feeling like a complete idiot calculating how much is due of your bills and realizing you're just not going to make it this month. You're now even burying your hands in your pockets looking for change to supposedly win the money back you've lost.

No. My suggestion is that if you know you're going to a place like a casino or even just poker night at friend's house, know your limit. If you know that you're already in the red at the bank, don't even bother and be confident when you say to your friend that you'll pass this time because you have other things to do. If you have money that you can afford to lose, stick to that limit and don't go past it. My recommendation is to take money out before the trip and leave your ATM at home or hidden in the car where you know you can't access it if you've already lost so much money gambling. Also, set a limit that is very doable and not out of desperation or a crazy notion that the million dollar jackpot will be yours eventually if you just keep playing and sacrifice all your money. Stick to a budget such as the amount you would pay for eating out during the week. For example, if it's $50 you usually spend eating out per week, stick to that $50. If you lose it, then all you'll really have to give up is eating out for that week.

Midnight Crisis

Around your early twenties or thirties, we all know that one person or a few people that can't seem to stop living it up by partying too much. If you have someone close to you that frequents nightclubs, you may want to be cautious of being lured to be the sidekick. Drinks at a bar are not cheap. A bottle of Grey Goose at the grocery store will range around $20.00 while at the club, you're bound to pay over a hundred. That's ridiculous. Want a shot of Patron? That'll be $10.00. Admission at the door was $20.00 and you're here still wandering why it was so much when everyone in the venue is doing almost exactly what everyone else does at a high school dance, except for the fact that well - there are strangers everywhere and alcoholic drinks. Then some nights, the drunk friend will need a ride home and you're the smart one who knows you can take care of yourself, however, she lives about thirty minutes way. By the end of the night, you've probably shelled out $60.00 from gas, booze, admission, parking fees, and perhaps a bite to eat after. And you also smell like cheap cologne/perfume and Hennessy from that creepy guy or girl that just wouldn't stop leaving you alone that kept calling you 'Fiesty' all night.

Once in a while, this can be fun but clubbing can be rather expensive and some nights are just not worth the price especially if a fight breaks out and the club evacuates people then you're out what you've spent that night and your fun ends early.

Your best bet is to stick to cozy home get togethers with people you know that can also bring people they know as well as trust. Purchase a few drinks and ingredients to make cocktails or beers, put on some music, grab a few board games or cook dinner - whichever tickles your fancy and voila! Instant party. The best benefit of it all is that if anyone isn't sober enough to go home, they can stay as long as they need to so you don't feel responsible for them driving home. You can even make it a potluck and have everyone bring something so you're not whipping out the cards out of your wallet for everything.

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like." - Will Smith