In 2008 I wrote a post about saving money ie not spending it.

So I’ve updated the list for 2013 as I’m more mature now.

1) Find places you go that you don’t have to pay into.

2013 update: Where I’m from the only places to go ‘for a late one’ you have to pay in after a certain time. That’s a tenner for The Stores in Wexford and a fiver for the Docks in New Ross.

 

2) Bring in your own drink to the places that you find you don’t have to pay into.

2013 update: Just don’t bother going out! Nothing worse than people’s handbags clinking or stealing into the loos to fill up a diet coke with a Bacardi and you’ll probably just end up hammered.

 

3) Walk home, don’t get a taxi.

2013 update: Do not walk home alone, late at night if you’re female, no matter how close by you live. Especially don’t take short cuts.

 

4) That’s right pack the umbrella, comfy shoes and snuggly jacket so the walk home is easy.

2013 update: And pack your friends as well.

 

5) Have a CD party, get your mates to bring their CDs/iPods and listen to that album you just can’t afford but someone else could.

2013 update: Can now update this option to Spotify and other apps and ways of listening to streaming music online for a small sum or for free. You could always try YouTube playlists too.

 

6) Stay in.

2013 update: Go out.

 

7) Drink soda water and lime, soft drinks, tap water.

2013 update: Pay your way. Alternate alcohol with tap water but if you’re staying on the dry at least have the decency to buy a sparkling water at least.

 

8) Drink whatever you’re drinking very slowly.

2013 update: Add ice, seems to slow it down.

 

9) Pretend you’re on the continent, go out late.

2013 update: Go out late but don’t stay up half the night to compensate for going out late. Try going out earlier and coming home earlier.

 

10) Get tanked up before you go out.

2013 update: Don’t binge drink. Can cause you all sorts of trouble.

 

11) Start your own wine/beer/vodka appreciation society. Review the cheap drinks the media rarely gives space to.

2013 update: Just don’t over do it. Try some Irish craft beers if you want to boost the domestic economy.

 

12) Stage your own play/musical/dance extravaganza for your friends.

2013 update: Or just have a meeting of minds – and talk writing, politics, culture, ideas, innovation. Or pop culture, depends on your friends!

 

13) Buy drink in bulk, have a party and charge your mates for each drink – charge them more than it cost you.

2013 update: don’t be mean.

 

14) Smoke rollies. Or feign quitting cigarettes and smoke other people’s cigarettes.

2013 update: Just give up the fags, stay away from smokers and smoking areas and triggers for a few weeks and you’ll be grand.

 

15) Claim there’s something wrong with your drink, after taking a healthy swig.

2013 update: Don’t unless there is something wrong with it.

 

16) Invite your friends round for a party, and get them to pay the taxi fare.

2013 update: Even better make one the designated driver.

 

17) Stay local.

If you’re from the countryside go down the local in the next village/crossroads. If you’re from a village or town, frequent the local watering holes, don’t be hiring a minibus to the next town. If you’re from the suburbs of a city go to wherever is in walking distance. Save yourself the taxi fare/NightLink fare.

2013 update: Definitely support local even if it’s little and often.

 

18) If you do get a taxi, cram as many as legally possible into it. Divide the fare equally.

2013 update: Try using Hailoapp for getting taxis in Dublin – it’ll email you the receipt and that’ll really keep you focused on how much you spend on taxis.

 

19) You know the bank of mum and dad? Well remember when you were in your late teens they ran the taxi of mum and dad? Check if they’re open for business. There’s nothing a mammy likes better than knowing Junior gets home safe. Especially useful if mammy or daddy are Pioneers.

2013 update: Just bloody drive yourself now and again. See photographic evidence above – you can have a non-alcoholic beer.

 

20) Never drink or drive. That’s right, don’t drink alcohol or drive a car and you’ll have a lot more money in your pocket alright.

2013 update: Sort out a regular designated driving pool with your friends.

 

The original list appears here: http://www.lark.ie/a-wee-guide-to-going-out-or-staying-in-during-the-current-economic-climate/