8 Ways to Save Money on a Super Bowl Party

Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner, meaning it’s about time to start planning parties for the big game. When the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers kick off Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2 at 6:30 pm EST, millions of households will tune in. No Super Bowl is complete without a good viewing party though. If you decided to host your friends and family for the big game, here are some tips on throwing a great party without burning too much money.

1. Don’t Go Crazy on Decorations

Compared to an average holiday party, a Super Bowl party can be casual and low maintenance. While you should spruce up your house if you have people coming over, don’t feel pressured to spend money and go all out to decorate your home for the party. The stars of the party will be the food and television, so the decor is not needed. If you want to upgrade your TV in time for the big game, we’ve got you covered there too.

2. Snacks, Snacks, and Snacks

No matter who you’re hosting or how many people, bowls of snacks are sure to be a hit. They’re cheaper than putting together or ordering a full meal, and you can refill throughout the night to make sure nobody goes hungry. Chips, pretzels, popcorn, and other gameday favorites are a must. By keeping snacks flowing, you’ll save yourself time, money, and work.

3. Clip Coupons

Whatever you decide to buy, you should get a discount on it. Tons of stores have coupons and deals specifically for Super Bowl shoppers, so check around before you go out. To make it even simpler, you can also download Ibotta to get cash back at the grocery store. Ibotta has money-saving offers available for most major retailers, so you can get some money back while you’re stocking up for the big game. Even a few bucks on every item you buy can go a long way when you’re planning a party.

4. Have a Potluck

Items like chicken wings, pigs in a blanket, nachos, and chili are Super Bowl staples, but cooking all that is a ton of work for a host. To make sure there’s food to go around without draining your wallet, turn your party into a potluck. Tell your guests to make their specialty dish and bring it with them to the party. That way everyone will definitely have the food they like, and you won’t go crazy spending your afternoon cooking.

5. Plan for Leftovers

However you decide to divvy up the cooking, you’re almost certainly going to have some extra food lying around after everyone leaves. Taking advantage of leftovers is one of the best ways to save money in general, and that goes double after a big party. You may end up eating chicken wings a few times in the week after the game, but that equals residual savings from the party.

6. Consider a Keg

Even if you save a lot on your food budget, drinks can get expensive for a Super Bowl party. Your best money-saving options are to go BYOB or look into getting a keg. Depending on how many people you’re hosting, a keg can save you a lot of money compared to just buying cans or bottles of beer. The average half-barrel keg costs about $100 but holds approximately 165 beers. On the other hand, a 30-pack of beer costs $25, meaning you’d need to spend about $40 extra for the same amount of drinks.

7. Ditch Desserts

Crafting great desserts for a party consumes time and money. While desserts are a big part of other holiday meals, you can cut out the sweets without losing anything from a Super Bowl party. Plus, a decadent dessert probably doesn’t fit with the appetizers or dinner. Chips, wings, and beer all go well together, but none sound too delicious paired with chocolate or candy. Stick to the snacks and apps and don’t worry about spending money on dessert.

8. Just Enjoy the Game

At the end of the day, a Super Bowl party is exactly that. It’s about the game and the people you’re with. Flashy decorations and expensive food won’t make or break your party, so focus on having fun with friends and family. It’s easy to get caught up in planning when you host a party and go overboard shopping, but you should resist the urge for your Super Bowl bash.

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