Financial Wellness
Plan a Wallet-Friendly Super Bowl Bash
February is right around the corner, which means it's almost time for one of the biggest sports celebrations of the year: Super Bowl Sunday.
The game is set for February 9 in New Orleans, but millions of people will invite family and friends into their living rooms for an unforgettable night of football—and food, drinks, and fun, if the host prepares accordingly.
The game is set for February 9 in New Orleans, but millions of people will invite family and friends into their living rooms for an unforgettable night of football—and food, drinks, and fun, if the host prepares accordingly.
Planning a Super Bowl bash can be a strain on the wallet, particularly after totaling your bills from holiday shopping, but it doesn't have to be a bank-breaker if you find ways to save in a few areas.
January and February are prime months to find great deals on TVs. During this time, average TV prices rise as new models enter the market, but prices on the preceding year's TVs hit their low point as retailers work to clear out old inventory and create shelf space for new arrivals.
That makes this the second-best time of the year to score a deal on a television, right after Black Friday. However, while retailers tend to hawk subpar no-name brands before the holidays, Super Bowl sales are all about quality, favoring brand-name large-screen sets that are ideal for game-day parties. No matter how you look at it, it's a great time of year to buy.
If everyone brings individual snacks (chips and salsa, side dishes, veggie tray, dessert) this will help cut down on your costs, and your guests will likely be thrilled to bring something because they are elated that it's not their turn to host.
You can make some main dishes, like a pot of chili or wings, and have others bring the sides. Some classic gameday grub includes buffalo wings, taco dip with chips, jalapeño dip, pigs in a blanket, or pizza rings. You could also lean into the New Orleans theme and serve gumbo or jambalaya, or pick local cuisine from the cities of the teams in the game.
If you want to avoid the hassle of making food or asking guests to bring a dish, you have other options. Popular Super Bowl takeout foods include pizza, subs, or chicken wings. Say you plan on having 10 people over for the game. If you ordered five large pizzas (50 slices), that's enough for five slices per person. At approximately $15 per pizza, you're only looking at $75. Throw in some small side snacks, and you can cover the food with $90.
Additional recipes may be found here:
Whatever you do, keep it simple, and don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, which will make for an awesome, memorable and cost-efficient party.
Start with the TV
Is your current TV up to the task of hosting the most visually engaging and most-watched show on the planet? No pressure there, right? You might ask yourself: "Should I buy a new TV right before the Super Bowl?" There goes your budget. You might want to go for it if you find a great deal AND you were planning to purchase one anyway.January and February are prime months to find great deals on TVs. During this time, average TV prices rise as new models enter the market, but prices on the preceding year's TVs hit their low point as retailers work to clear out old inventory and create shelf space for new arrivals.
That makes this the second-best time of the year to score a deal on a television, right after Black Friday. However, while retailers tend to hawk subpar no-name brands before the holidays, Super Bowl sales are all about quality, favoring brand-name large-screen sets that are ideal for game-day parties. No matter how you look at it, it's a great time of year to buy.
Next Up: Food
Who doesn't love Super Bowl food? Even if you're not into the game, the next best thing after the funny commercials is the spread. You can take care of it all yourself, or you could throw a potluck party—where everyone brings a dish to share.If everyone brings individual snacks (chips and salsa, side dishes, veggie tray, dessert) this will help cut down on your costs, and your guests will likely be thrilled to bring something because they are elated that it's not their turn to host.
You can make some main dishes, like a pot of chili or wings, and have others bring the sides. Some classic gameday grub includes buffalo wings, taco dip with chips, jalapeño dip, pigs in a blanket, or pizza rings. You could also lean into the New Orleans theme and serve gumbo or jambalaya, or pick local cuisine from the cities of the teams in the game.
If you want to avoid the hassle of making food or asking guests to bring a dish, you have other options. Popular Super Bowl takeout foods include pizza, subs, or chicken wings. Say you plan on having 10 people over for the game. If you ordered five large pizzas (50 slices), that's enough for five slices per person. At approximately $15 per pizza, you're only looking at $75. Throw in some small side snacks, and you can cover the food with $90.
Additional recipes may be found here:
Décor on a dime
Save money by using real plates and glasses, or buy some paper products at your grocery store, or even the dollar store. Keep decorations simple to save money—stick to only a few football-themed items or some crepe paper streamers in team colors. Again, guests come to watch the game and eat. Less is more in the decorations category.Beverages
If you're on a tight budget, this is where you implement BYOB when it comes to alcohol. If you're providing the venue and the food, is it really asking all that much for your guests to bring their beverage of choice? You could provide sodas and bottled water, or even pitchers of tea and lemonade, but anything else is the responsibility of your guests. Beer aficionados will be OK with bringing their favorite brew. Don't forget the ice! Get a couple of large bags and a large plastic tub and call it a day.Games
You can have a few lined up for the pregame festivities, or to keep kids entertained while you're cheering on your team. Consider Super Bowl Trivia, Rate the Super Bowl commercial (numbered signs glued to popsicle sticks), or a Super Bowl Cook-off (kills two birds with one stone—game PLUS food). You can also have some paper, colored pencils, and markers on hand to have the kids draw or color in the team logos for fun. For more game ideas, click here.Whatever you do, keep it simple, and don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, which will make for an awesome, memorable and cost-efficient party.
Resources: Tripp and Tyler, Good Housekeeping, GenX Finance.com, Chowhound, Take Charge America, KissMyApron.com, CountryLiving, Smarty Cents, Pillsbury, NBC
