(source: !borghetti and szeke)
I value socializing and meeting new people on the weekends. In San Francisco (my current city) this can get expensive. A round of drinks for 4 people can cost upwards of $40. If you buy 3 rounds of drinks during a given weekend, you are spending a minimum of $120.
I also value traveling. Like most travel-addicts, I know that traveling often costs much less than expected.
I decided to do a little comparison. For one month (4 weekends), I would try different money-saving techniques that would help cut my “entertainment costs” drastically. I would then compare my savings to the estimated living expenses in a country that I am dying to visit, Bolivia. Here is what I found:
First, the money saving techniques:
Not Drinking – Clearly, NOT ordering drinks when you are out is a great way to save money. Often times I would simply order a Soda/Tonic Water with lime (usually free) instead of a drink. This would give off the impression to my friends that I was drinking something. This helps to neutralize any “just have some fun” peer pressure. I didn’t want to live the whole 4 weeks like a saint though, so I experimented with some other techniques..
Carrying a flask – That’s right, people still carry flasks. On nights that I DID want to drink with friends, but DID NOT want to pay, I would often bring a flask. I would order the above mentioned Soda/Tonic Water, go to the bathroom and mix a quick drink. This is not my proudest moment in socializing history, but carrying a flask proved to save me a lot of money.
Drink Specials - Going to a venue with drink specials is a great way to save money! Yelp is a great resource for finding venues with drink specials. I used it and found a Thai restaurant and bar near to where I live that has $2 beer specials all night. Also, if you live in San Francisco or New York, you might want to check out Broke Ass Stuart. This blog is a great resource for having fun on a budget.
House Parties - I held and encouraged my friends to have house parties. House parties were a much cheaper option than going out to clubs and bars. Not only that, but using CampusBooze we were able to find which stores had the best specials on alcohol (sorry, they are still only in California).
Two Buck Chuck - If you have a Trader Joe’s where you live, you have probably heard of Two Buck Chuck (or Charles Shaw wine). Two Buck Chuck sells for $1.99 making it a great way to save money. I’ve tasted some of the best wines in the world and I honestly don’t think Two Buck Chuck is that bad. I particularly like the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Charles Shaw wine has won several awards including, Best of California, Best of Class, and the International Eastern Wine Competition.
The Result
After 4 weekends of money saving social activities, I did the math. On average, I spent approximately $20 per weekend and still had a blast! That means in four weeks, I saved a total of $400 [($120 x 4 weekends) - ($20 x 4 weekends) = $400].
Now for the comparison. I did some research on traveling through Bolivia. According to Lonely Planet, if I am “traveling mostly by bus, staying in cheap but clean hotels, and eating in local restaurants”, I can expect to spend roughly $15 per day in Bolivia! That buys me nearly one month (26 days) of “off-the-beaten-path” exploration in a country known for its soaring peaks, awe inspiring salt flats, and vibrant indigenous cultures.
I’ll exchange 4 weekends of penny-pinching for 1 month in Bolivia any day!!
###UPDATE: I’ve since taken this trip to Bolivia. My penny-pinching was MORE than worth it! Bolivia is an incredible country with one of the most unique and indigenous cultures I have ever visited. Bolivia, I will be back 
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locojhon
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Austin