Do you have a budget for FOOTBALL GAMES?

This article just came in the right time - How much is too much when it comes to football? 

Have you listed how much money you have spent on a professional game? On this post, I am just talking about spending money for ONE game in ONE day. Not to mention the game is broadcast on TV - We do not have cable so at least we are not paying for that, but I can just imagine the people around us have cable bills (NFL Redzone anyone?), bought season tickets and spending additional $$$ being at the game.

Our total spent $535 =(

Tickets $100 x2

The average price for an NFL tickets are over $100 for 2014. I am assuming we bought the tickets at the same price /

Cheaper Option: One of our friends got FIELD TICKETS for half the price by waiting at the last minute to get tickets. They got their tickets the night before and got better seats than us. This was the website they used

Parking $25 

Technically we could've avoided this, but we needed his car (truck) to transport the grill

Cheaper Option: Usually you can take a trolley to the stadium  

Tailgate Food / Drinks $80

I think between Jay and I (minus what our friends contributed) we have spent about $150 on food and drinks for the tailgate.

• Beer (craft) $9 - Three different 6 packs for a total of $30
• Water $5 - Pack of bottled water
• Snacks $35 - Chips, salsa, guacamole, fruit platter, cheese and salami platter 
• Misc items $10 - we bought paper towel, sanitizer wipes, ice 

Cheaper Option: It was actually cheaper to just eat inside, but the tailgate made it really fun. We figured this was our dinner date - which we havent done in a while.

Game Food / Drinks $30 

We bought beer for $9/each (12oz)  wth! We were complaining buying craft beers for $9 for a six pack yet we still bought a glass of beer for $9 each. Total spent $30 (with tip and bought one for a friend) 

Cheaper Option : Do not buy food inside the stadium. They are usually marked up for almost 800%. Check to see if there are any rules/regulations for bringing food and drinks and bring your own. We were able to bring 2 unopened water bottles each inside. 

Gas, Jerseys and other misc.  $100-200

I did not expect that an average jersey costs $100. From my previous post, Jay got me a jersey for that price and he also got his own too. So lets just assume an average person buys a jersey for himself and his significant other 

 Cheaper Option: Search a discount store like TJ Maxx. I am not sure if this applies anywhere else, but we found Jay's jersey for half the price (Its similar to mine - we cant figure out the difference, but he said mine was newer)

What would I have changed? NOTHING. I had so much fun. We do not do this often and it was nice doing something different on the weekend. I wouldve probably budgeted everything more - like the tickets that one of our friends got, but thats for next time. The boys are talking about going to another game!




How much have you spent going to a football game or any professional game? Do you have any other tips when going to games? 

I love food too much!

Did you watch the hot dog eating contest this past weekend? Glorious... Welcome to America !!!!

Now that I am on my debt payoff journey, I have tried to look for ways to cut back on spending. I think one of the major culprit is eating out. It's not because I am lazy to cook (maybe a little), but I am not the type who cant "Meal Prep" the week (or month) and just expect to be satisfied with the same old food every day.... I need variety! Most of my meals are a 'game day decision' - which means, I usually do not plan my meals and just go after my gut (or stomach).

Also, I think I eat out more when I am stressed. I just feel so deprived on everything else that I just dont even look at the refrigerator and just go out. This week was a major test and a major fail on my part - not only on the shopping department, but also on the food department. We were out and about the whole time trying to do last minute shopping (since this whole week will be busy with work) - we ate out... A LOT! I have been trying for a couple of weeks on cutting back with eating out and I need to get back to this since this is a major fail this week.

Below are a few reminders of what I have done to cut back...

Cook for a group - Depending on your living situation... if you live alone or live with your SO - I would usually cook a bigger portion so I can bring it to work the next day.

Order the dinner portion - I cant usually finish them, so I am able to save half of it for lunch tomorrow or dinner the next night. You can usually tell by the type of food if its a good option to have as a leftover the next day.

Sharing is caring - It's hard to hang out with friends without spending a lot. I know most of the PF communities would tell us to learn how to say NO, but I think in moderation its good to meet up with friends or coworkers (keep my sanity also) and stay under budget by sharing. Just do your research in your neighborhood - There are a lot of places that offer food and drinks for under $5 under a certain timeframe on weekdays (happy hour menus)

Special Offers or Deals - If its a place that you go to almost everyday - you can check to see if they have a member deal or gather points everytime you go there (ie. Starbucks Card). There are also places where they give you a stamp card where you can get your 5th or 10th meal for free.

I still have a couple more days and I will really try my best not to spend anymore money on food

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day or Happy 4th of July to everyone in the US.

Have fun and be safe!!! I hope you get to see an amazing fireworks show, eat lots of hot dogs, drink lots of beers, have fun with your family and friends

Don't forget to be grateful - we are so lucky and blessed to live in such an amazing county!

USA! USA! USA!

Great Maple

I love me a good meal. My favorite would probably be breakfast/brunch – I can eat breakfast the whole day if I can. Jay doesnt care much for brunching - he's more of the Dinner portion kind of guy, but he takes me out to brunch most of the time. We checked out this place close to his condo since it had great reviews on Yelp and was brought up by his roommate.

Lets start with these lovely babies - these are the best Maple Donuts I have tried. Dessert before brunch.... don't mind if I dig in!

Their drink menu looked awesome, but I didn't order any since we were up for a hike later that day. However, I will be back for their cute Mules. Its served on a Bear mug/glass – so Hillcrest. Love it!

I ordered --- tea =)

and Jay ordered a latte, which came in this glass – weird! but it was good when he let me try some.

Its best to come hungry when you go here..... Their portions were huge! I got the chillaquiles

This is such a cute and good place for Brunch nerds like me. I would love to come back for their Dinner.

 If you're ever in the area check it out...

Great Maple 
1451 Washington St,
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 255-2282


This was not included in the weekly budget because Jay paid for the tab. Thanks Jay!

Long Distance on the Cheap

Now how about a little background about my personal relationship...

We have been doing the 'Long Distance' for almost a year now since I moved for a job to OC. Prior to that we lived together - imagine the CHANGE in that. But, I must say, its freaking hard we have been managing this quite well. Between our work schedules, classes, homework etc. we have tried to be in constant communication (thank you technology!) and make the most of the short weekends or days off that we can spend time together.

Now that I am on a quest to be debt free - he's slowly learning to change his spending lifestyle as well - we have been trying to look for options to still enjoy an active life while together but on a budget.

Here are some of the things we enjoy that are budget friendly

• Walk/Bike around the beach/pier - The perks of living along the coast
• Walk/Bike around the park - There are so many gorgeous parks out here... Jay is lucky enough to live close to Balboa Park
• Gym Dates - We usually try to go to the gym first before breakfast/brunch on the weekends. This helps keep us motivated, plus, I we tend to eat healthier after a gym session
• Grocery Shopping - Its a prelude to staying in and also spend some time in the kitchen
• Movies - We found a really cheap theater by our parents house. Last movie we saw was Adam Sandler's Blended and it was only $12 total for the both of us. It was a matinee weekend ticket. Score! 
• Redbox night - I usually just want to stay in after dealing with traffic to see each other on weekends. We usually pick up a movie after going grocery shopping. Oh... you should try to Text to 727272 to get some free/discounted deals lol not really an ad, but that's what we use to get some free movies

How do you budget spending time with your significant other?

Dark horse coffee

My friend and I found this after having lunch around Normal Heights. There were a couple of coffee places a block or two off Adams St., but since we always frequent Starbucks and we have been to Lestat's -We wanted to check out something new. 

Something new and different actually - They do Pour Over (which I've only had once - super good), Cold Brew (see below) or French press. They also have a selection of fresh vegan donuts - we SHARED the Chocolate. It wasnt as bad as I thought knowing that they were vegan.

The word Latte has quotation marks around it because they do not have espresso machines. I never thought I would enjoy a Cold Brew, but I would totally go back to this place.

I made a huge OOOOOPS and spilled the coffee though. What a klutz... but before I managed to spill my coffee, at least I was able to capture it and had at least half - before the pavement got a taste of it.


















Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
3260 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116

I scream, you scream...

I love to eat and I love to check out new places around my area. So I am also going to be featuring a couple of restaurants/food places that are fairly reasonably priced - or not!

We found this place searching for an ice cream place around the area. We have been waiting on Hammonds ice cream to open - which I have already tried at the North Park Festival of Arts. I cant wait until I can try the rest of their selection. Anyways, this place was tucked away inside a 76 gas station food mart... it was so out of place!

... But I think their cookies can compete with good ol' Uncle Biffs and The Cravory (almost!). We had their chocolate chip, s'mores and snickerdoodle cookie - but I would totally go back for their ice creams. They are currently running a special of 4/$5 cookies.

I think this place deserves a chance. Definitely check this place out to satisfy your sweet tooth on a budget

 Zooies Cookies And Ice Cream

3010 Market St
San Diego, CA 92102