How to Drink on a College Girl’s Budget

Working and going to college is struggle for anyone. It’s hard to work for rent money and attempt to make enough for alcohol and partying, while also making an effort at being awesome in class.  Here are a few tips on how to drink on a college-level budget.

Make friends with the frat bros

It’s true: there are virtually endless parties on the weekends all along Greek Row. While the choice of drink is generally limited to yellow fizzy beer-flavored water, the price is perfect: free.  Bonus tip: Make friends with the holder hotties because they often have private bars in their rooms with a wider – and stronger – variety of beverage choices.

Store-brand sodas

At my local Kroger grocery store, most Kroger-brand sodas are 69 cents, which is an absolute steal! Sure, your Coke is actually called Cola and the Sunkist is called Orange Soda, but it all tastes the same. You’ll get used to it.

Those convenient tables of clearance priced wine

Lately, many groceries are setting out tables of bottles of wine with price docks of up to 75%. I would be so dumb if I didn’t buy myself a nice bottle of Chardonnay last week for $3.45. Keep an eye out! Oh, and speaking of wine…ever try boxed wine? Higher ounce-per-cent ratio. It’s simple…you get four bottles of wine for approximately the price of two.

Off-brand liquor

…far cheaper and only a little less tasty. Instead of Svedka, Kamchatka is so much cheaper.

Warm beer is cheaper than cold beer

While it is incredibly convenient to be able to grab a sixer and go, the fact is that cold beer tends to run about 2 to 3 dollars more expensive than its warmer counterparts. Stick it in the freezer for 20 and you’re set.

My final tips are as follows: keep an eye for special deals at groceries and liquor stores. And, never thought you’d hear this one: set your standards lower – until you’ve got a higher income.