Nights out with the girls are probably something you don’t get to indulge in all that often as a busy parent. But making time for friends is important, and so if you get the chance it’s an excellent opportunity to get everyone together! Dress up, have a few cocktails and dance the night away. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up, reminisce back to old times and feel like ‘you’ again for a little while. But let’s face it, nights out can be expensive. If money is holding you back, here are a few ways you can go on that night out with the girls without breaking the bank.
Getting There And Back
One of the pricier parts of the evening will be cab fare to and from the place you’re going- particularly if you live some distance away. You can often find promotional discounts with Uber which will slash a good amount off the price and save you money on your night out. Alternatively, if you have a friend that is willing to be a designated driver, you could all contribute a few bucks to them for being picked up and dropped off. Finally, if any of the group has a partner that would pick you up afterwards this could save on expensive cab fare. Have a think about the best way to get there and back, which is safe and not too pricey.
Drinks
Drinks in restaurants, clubs and bars are marked up massively. Articles like this will show you exactly how much- and it’s not good! If you’re not looking to spend too much, it could be a good idea to have pre-drinks. Rather than leaving early and sitting in the bar all night, mix up some cocktails and have some drinks at home together instead. Alternatively, you could ask everyone to bring a bottle. Spend the start of the night having a few drinks at home together before leaving for the bar a little later on. If you want to get out early, you could go to a less expensive place to start before heading off to the main event a little later. That way you’re not paying for too many overpriced drinks all night!
Venue
A certain club or event might sound appealing, but if it’s expensive to get in then this is more money that will add up. Instead, you could go to a place where it’s free to get in, or very cheap. There are plenty of places that don’t charge an entrance fee. Decide between yourselves where would be best and settle on a venue that suits everyone’s tastes and budget. You could even go bar hopping from place to place if you can’t decide, providing the bars are within walking distance! That way you can have one drink in each place, and everyone is kept happy.
Outfit
When you’re planning a night out with the girls, chances are you’ll want to dress up and feel confident. You could raid your wardrobe and see if you already have anything that’s suitable. Be sure to try everything on before the night especially if you haven’t worn it in a while. A change in size or shape could mean a once well fitting outfit is now loose and falling down, or tight and riding up! If you don’t have anything already, you can find bargain outfits on clothes buying, selling and swapping sites such as Depop. You could check out the thrift store, or see if a friend has something they could lend you. Alternatively, you could check out the sales and see if you can snag something at a great price. Don’t forget shoes and accessories too!
Hair and Makeup
You definitely don’t need to have the most high-end or designer makeup products to create incredible looks. If you browse Youtube for drugstore makeup tutorials, you’ll see what can be done with pieces from the least expensive brands. Some of which you’ll even find in Dollar stores. If you don’t usually wear makeup, this is a fun chance to glam up, and you don’t need to spend much. You could find ideas on how to wear your hair on sites like Pinterest, it doesn’t have to be complicated. But dressing up for the evening will make you feel extra special and can be done without spending a lot.
Regardless of where you decide to go or how little money you have, the most important thing is quality time with your friends and getting to have a catch-up. Have a chat and find a way to make the night work for everyone’s budget.
How do you keep your budget in check when going on a night out? Do you get to have nights out with friends much?