Short on Cash Now? Some New Year’s Ideas that are Budget Friendly

Don’t Break the Bank to have Fun

If the holidays have made you low on cash now, but you still really want to ring in the New Year in style, you are going to need to get a little bit creative with your plans.

This is not to say that budget-friendly New Year’s Eve plans are impossible, just that they usually take an open mind. If you can see past the usual big, expensive parties with their champagne sipping and formal attire, you can create a fabulously enjoyable celebration that will start off your year on the right foot, both socially and financially.

Plan a Getaway for Less

If you have several friends that you want to celebrate with, and the idea of getting away for a night or two sounds appealing, look into renting a cabin or chalet just out of town. These rentals can sometimes be pricey, but split between several people they become quite affordable.

Have everyone bring a dinner and a breakfast item, and you have dinner AND breakfast covered. Alcohol can be whatever each person wants to bring, and no one has to worry about finding a designated driver or taxi as they are all staying over. Plan for outdoor activities, like sledding or bonfires or just enjoy cozying up by a fire.

A Family-Friendly Affair – International Style

It can be difficult to spend extra money right after the holidays, especially if you have kids. Finding a babysitter for New Year’s Eve can be difficult. You should not have to miss out on the fun just because you are low on cash now, though.

You could make it a family affair by having an international style potluck. Plan a get-together with other families and have each family bring a dish from a different country. You could have everyone choose a country, and bring a dish that’s native to that country. You could find it to be a nice way to spend time with friends that you can do again and again, throughout the year and picking a new country every time.

Go Retro

Another idea that can work well for either single people or families is to plan a retro party. Choose an era; 80s can be a lot of fun because of the clothing, hairstyles and lighthearted music, but any favorite time period will do. You could even get everyone to dress up appropriately for the time period, and have food from the era (e.g. 50s were meatloaf, the 60s were tuna melts, the 70s were fondue). You could get guests to bring a favorite dish from the era. Choose a popular drink from the era, and make a non-alcholic version, if the precious kiddes will be around, and therefore spoiling adults’ good times. Play party music from the era. If you have movies from the era, put them on in the background.

Share the Cost, Share the Fun

Having not much cash now does not have to hinder your party plans. Take some time to plan, invite some close friends and have everyone split the check. It would be great to start the New Year with a new tradition.