When I think of summer, I think of sunshine, the beach, flip flops, sunglasses and.. yes, alcohol. Sangria, mojitos, beer, and wine.
I don’t drink all that much – very rarely will I have even a glass of wine during the wee, but every couple weekends I’ll go out with some friends and/or J. This can be a major wallet drain, because alcohol is expensive (especially here in Canada).
It can add up quickly, so here are some tips to save money this summer on alcohol.
1. Drink at home
If possible, have a couple of glasses of [pick your poison] before going out. A glass of wine at the comedy club we went to last weekend was $11. I can buy a whole (large) bottle of wine for $15 at the liquor store.
Have friends over prior to going out for a drink or two if you aren’t driving to your destination.
2. Pick Your Liquor Store Wisely
If you are planning to have a couple of drinks at home, and are venturing out to the liquor store, pick the store from which you shop wisely.
It’s kind of a bummer, because in Canada, the government run liquor stores are quite a bit cheaper than private stores. Who doesn’t want to support local small businesses? But sometimes, savings trumps social responsibility, so shop around a bit.
3. Go For Promotional Items
Most people find what they like and stick with it, but why not try something new every once in awhile?
Usually there are promotional items on sale at the liquor store. Sometimes there are taste testers, and they offer a couple of dollars off a case of the promotional item because it’s new and they want to gain exposure. You never know, you might really like it!
4. Make Your Own
This might sound crazy, but why not try to make your own liquor?
I don’t mean bootlegging moonshine on your spare time, but rather finding a “U Brew” or local wine/beer making facility.
This can be a fun activity, too. It usually comes out cheaper than buying a bunch of bottles of wine or beer, and it’s something to do.
5. [For Canadians] Bring Some Back
When you go across the border (to shop, fill up, whatever other reason) bring some cheap liquor back. Americans pay a lot less for alcohol than Canadians do, and it can be found at most gas stations, grocery stores, and even drug stores.
When we went to Oregon, we got a bottle of wine that we didn’t end up drinking for like $8. That’s substantially cheaper than we’d be able to find it in Canada, so we brought it back with us. The border patrol had no problem with it. Make sure to check the limits that you can bring back, though.
How do you save money on alcohol?
Daisy, this all makes really good sense; it however assumes that people drink for the sake of drinking almost. I drink very infrequently but would rather have a glass of wine in a nice place socialising, than a whole bottle in my house (except if I am having a party and then I’ll buy expensive wine).
I’ll never make my own: except if I have vineyards (as my grandfather did) so that I really know what I am doing. In fact, I think, that making your own is apart from possibly not very high quality, potentially dangerous.
Very good post though; made me think.
One of my friend’s roommates used to make wine and beer in their apartment. It was actually quite good. The process is a bit too time consuming for me, but if you know what you’re doing, you can definitely save money by brewing beer and making wine.
We usually pregame before we go out. We used to be really bad with going to the bars. Spending $200 plus was normal a night. Thank god we don’t do that anymore!
pregame? I used to do that in college, but isn’t this a sign of binge drinking? 😉
I tend to not drink a lot so that means that I can get that nice pleasent feeling on a glass or less. I also prefer to buy my alcohol and drink at home or a friend’s place as it saves me money due to the overpricing of most drinks in a bar or restaurant.
I didn’t realize we Americans pay less for our liquor! What a nice perk 🙂
Americans pay less for almost everything.
Economies of scale work as well. A half-gallon yields 2.33x what a ‘fifth’ does, but only costs 1.5-1.75x. If it’s a liquor you drink regularly (or put another way, would you buy 2-3 bottles over the course of the summer anyways), then pay more up front to save in the long run.
Regarding bringing alcohol back across the border, you get dinged pretty good if you are not staying overnight in the US. A little while back we didn’t realize that and the duty free shop would only accept a return for a hefty fee. It was that or pay the duties on it.
I like trying different products too. The benefit of that is that it seems to always be a hotty running the sample table in the store.
LOL @ the last commment!
I like to buy my beer at Costco. The savings is pretty good over the liquor store
My wife and I rarely go out for drinks and if we do drink, 90% of the time it’s make our own. It’s more affordable that way.
There are a lot of misconceptions about home brewing, but it’s actually a great option for the following reasons:
1) Advancements in product design mean that home made wine and beer are fast losing that “home made” taste and are actually on par in quality with store bought brands (low end wine, mid pack beer)
2) It’s cheap! We make all of our wine at home, it averages out to $3/bottle. We also just finished our first batch of home brewed beer, which averaged out to $0.30 a bottle.
Thanks for the tips!
I buy cheap wine. I’ll also maybe have a glass before I go out. There also seems to be a high percentage of people who “party” in the area I live, so if by chance I go out (rarely) and I’m in a bar with a glass of water, someone drunk enough will usually insist I have something and buy me a beer. And sometimes when we go to the movies, we bring in those tiny wines (like from an airplane) and drink that during them movie. Overall though I don’t drink that much at all, so that in itself saves money.
I don’t drink much either and that’s the best way to save money. I would avoid drinking just to drink/get drunk. I keep drinking to special occasion or if it goes well with a meal. BBQ needs beer and a steak needs red wine. 🙂
My wife worked at a winery so she was always getting free bottles so that helps. The other thing is I am good friends with a regional vodka rep (brand lots of people know), so I get lots of free samples from him and often get invited to promos or parties he is running.
Other than that I tend to not drink very much.
Jealous of the freebies!
If I feel compelled to drink outside the house, I try to attend happy hours or go to local bars where my friends are bartending.
Happy hours are a blessing because you can enjoy a few drinks on a bargain and still have time to ensure you’re sober enough to drive home (if you are driving).
i also dont’ drink that much. well, not on mondays, tuesday and thursdays i don’t. kidding…
we enjoy having our friends over if we are wanting to socialize, so that is definitely one way we save. Cheap wine is also a great option. It tastes great to me since im not a real wine drinker but its nice for having a glass while visiting.
As far as bringing liquor back with you from US, if we just go next door to AB we can get cheaper alcohol. Since we often know people travelling in and out, we send orders with them.
Making your own beer is great as long as it goes well! I’ve made some dodgy batches in the past and the kits aren’t cheap to buy. If you’re going to do it, follow the instructions to the letter. Something us men aren’t great at!
Daisy, you had me at the blog post title! 🙂 Ha!
Where’s a “like” button when you need one?
I knew there was no way I’d pass this one up.
“like”
I’ll be we spend $50/month on drinking. I consider it a life tax that I can deal with. Usually prefer to drink at home or at friends’ place to save money.
All great points… I don’t drink during the winter months but when summer comes.. bring out the BEER! I have to either work overtime or save my allowance to buy my beer as it’s not a need it’s a want.
I know people might laugh that I have an allowance.. but.. I don’t have any debt except the mortgage. So for me, saving my allowance to buy me a case of BRAVA for $34 or so for 28 bottles… is worth it every time I crack open the bottle and take that first drink… ahhhhhh…
Drinking at home without a doubt will save money or making it like our relatives who make wine and coolers every year.
Great post…
Mr.CBB
I know of a good way to save on alcohol. Do not drink. I have not had a drink in 2 years. I never had a problem drinking. I am a cheap drunk. With me having a little boy to look after. I made myself realize that I need to be responsible if something ever happens to him.
That is my expense on that topic.
Another tip: always “forget” to byob! 😉 Just kidding…although I do have friends like that….grrr! All we do is drink at home. Drinking at a bar or restaurant can be 5x more expensive! Saves us a ton!
Great ideas! I do associate summer with alcohol though, even if it’s just a fruity margarita or pina colada 🙂 I don’t drink often but I do like those girly drinks, which are always $10 at the bar or restaurant. It sucks!!! I love when my dad makes pina coladas… so I vote for making your own alcohol.
The best way to save on alcohol this summer is to NOT drink any at all 😛
Summertime for me is all about sunshine, fun times, and cool drinks. However, alcohol is not my drink of choice at any time of the year. Yet, I’m sure that your suggestions for saving on alcohol will help lots of people who purchase alcohol.
I got my fill of alcohol on vacation at the all-inclusive. No more blended drinks for a while!
Definitely agree with the bring back liquor from the states if you can. I love coming home from a trip in the states and knowing I can buy liquor super cheap too!
Although it is not my thing, I know people who make their own alcohol. If someone is so inclined and loves his alcohol, it makes sense that making it himself would save a significant sum.
I do brew my own beer, but I find I don’t save a lot of money doing it.
I do try to by 12- or 24-packs of bottles instead of 6-packs since it’s a better deal. I’ll even bust out a keg for the larger events 🙂
I almost never drink out. It ends up costing whatever my tab is + any food to go along with it + a cab (or bus) home. A few drinks at home or at a friends’ house is the best.
I’ve never had alcohol, so I save a lot. lol 🙂
Sooo I have this exact post slated for this friday. Odd. Also, i need a beer.
Great minds think alike!
I don’t drink too much. Probably only 3-4 times a year so I don’t mind splurging for what I like when I do drink.
My father-in-law only drinks at home now because of a near-miss with a DUI. But I’m instituting a rule of only drinking at bars. The reason is simple, because I only have access to one drink at a time at the bar, I drink less! I hosted a housewarming party last month and got my first hangover in 10 years. I think I’ll stick to going to the bar once every couple months and limiting myself to one shot and then nursing a beer.
Got to say I agree with you on this. As a family man I can’t go out drinking several nights a week, but I can drink at home any night I choose. I have recently decided to ban having any alcohol in the house. If I want to drink that badly I will just go out for a couple now.
I actually just recently discovered how to make my own mimosas at home – AMAZING. It’s so much cheaper to drink at home and I can get way more quality stuff. I like drinking at home way better than out.
Now you’re speaking my language!
Hot summer days scream Vodka Tonic to me. I used to go Absolut, but realized that Svedka was much cheaper and tastes just as good, if not slightly better .
…and I always drink at home. The last time I got a drink out at a bar I almost fell over at the price considering what I got!
Great tips! I’m an advocate for the DIY @ home brewing, but I also will be cutting out alcohol completely this summer in an effort to aid my training for the Chicago Marathon
…or give up drinking completely!!! Most people will save a fortune! 😉
Agree with the poster who said bring it back from AB. (Note: this is technically illegal.) I’m lucky, my spouse can bring things back by the case frequently.
We used to institute “no midweek drinking,” but now that my spouse is gone for work them home for awhile, that’s gone out the window. It saved on calories and costs.
Also, I laughed at your #3. In university (in ON), I would pick wine based on which one came with the bonus air miles.
We don’t drink very much anymore but when we do, we try to buy whatever is on sale or cheap.
But a few other considerations:
1. Some places around me offer discounts or have coupons. Other places will, in turn, post signs that they accept the coupons of their competitors.
2. Keep on the look-out for LivingSocial, Groupon, or “insert company here” deals that might offer store or bar discounts.
3. If you absolutely feel the need to go out, check around at different bars—some offer cheaper happy hours than others (though I just recently learned happy hours are banned in quite a few states) and some don’t become insanely expensive at night.
I mostly drink white wine at home, and yes, I always go for promotional items. I love getting wine on sale. However, beware, sometimes cheap wine tastes really cheap. 🙂
Most of our drinking happens at home, unless we’re on vacation. That helps us save a lot of money, drinks are so expensive when you’re out. 🙂
I rarely drink now so it definitely saves a lot. It’s tough when going out to dinner with a big group and people order several bottles of wine and then we split the bill evenly even though I didn’t drink any wine. So I started making up for that by eating a lot of food so I get my “fair share” lol.
I didn’t know it was so expensive in Canada! In Pennsylvania, you can get some beer at some random places sometimes, but the only place you’re able to buy liquor is from the state run store. Still cheaper than going to a bar or club, though. Although my friend recently told us about a bar where there are unicorns…I’m curious. Might have to splurge.
We hardly ever go to the bar anymore and when we go out for dinner we try and limit ourselves to a single drink.
Holy comments!
Nice post.
We drink at home as much as possible. Save money and don’t need to drive 🙂
Great to see that we pay less for Alchohal in the US than our neighbors. Now if we could find a good deal on health insurance we would really be in good shape!
Eric
I just read an article from Maclean’s Canada Day Edition. According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian spends $905 on alcohol annually. Yikes! Thank goodness I’m nowhere near that amount!
Don’t worry, I’m helping keep the average up 😉