Throw a Party Without Going Broke

With money being as tight as it is, we're in a dilemma: we'd like something to lift the gloom and depression, but many of the activities we enjoy that would lift that gloom simply costs too much money.

Professional sporting events, concerts, vacations, all cost money that many of us simply do not have. One great alternative that can be done on the cheap is to give a party. Parties can offer a great time for everybody at a minimal cost.

One cool (and cheap) way to throw a party is to have your guests chip in with the food, drinks, and other necessary items. While you’d like to be rolling in dough and treat everybody to gallons of free drink and great food, the economics of our times simply don’t permit many of us to do that. Your neighbors, many of which are in the same situation as you (and me), will understand and likely be more than willing to help out (as long as everyone else does, too).

With everybody pitching in, you can arrange to have a great gig. By dividing the cost and having a few people bring drinks, others special dishes, still others desert, and so on, your guests’ contributions are brought down to a modest size. With everyone’s help in bringing the food, it's not necessary to settle for plastic cups, chips, and cheap beer.

Or, with a bit of creativity and work you can still treat everybody and have some money left over to eat on the remainder of the week.

There are literally thousands of recipes available on the internet that contain cheap, juicy and delicious ingredients. A good place to start are with secret recipes from the world’s finest 5-star restaurants. Also, lots of Italian dishes cost very little to make, thanks to abundant pasta and savoury sauces. Look around the globe - at Mexican, Greek, Russian, Chinese, and dozens more - and you will shortly find something that is particular and tasty and cheap. If you've got the time and talent you can even make your own lager. Plenty of home brewers make a fine lager and you will get something that your visitors can find nowhere else at a fragment of the standard cost. Making hard spirits at home isn't generally commended for anybody but the experienced fan, since the results can be poisonous (even fatal!).

But dinner parties are only one sort of get together and there are methods to save even more on others. Music and dancing is more frequently enjoyed at clubs today. But the price of drinks, and more can put any party out of reach of today's budget. Instead, ask everybody to bring their own and supply the music and dance floor at home. If the music is the quiet kind, you could even make a bash at reviving the dying art of conversation. In fact, it is a safe bet that you will be inviting folks you wish to talk with. So, one basic way to save cash on anything, parties included, is to do something different.

Look for new methods to do old things or new things to do. The savings you gain is something that never goes out of favor.