New Years Eve = Expensive!

In the past, I worked during New Years Eve but this year i’m free to do what I like. So what am I going to do? After scoping out the local scene, i’ve noticed that any entertainment that night is WAY overpriced! Restaurants who usually charge around $20/person now charge upwards of $50/person. Tickets to bars/clubs that include food and some champagne upwards of $100/person! Seems like a waste of money in my eyes, or perhaps i’m just cheap. :) So, what are some of options so that I don’t feel like i’m being ripped off? Here are some of my ideas:

1. Prepare a nice meal at home for my wife and I. This will save us around $100.
2. Instead of going out to an overpriced bar for drinks, we may head over to a few house parties that we were invited to. I don’t drink much and my wife doesnt’ drink at all, so this will save us around $20. We will most likely drive to these parties, saving the taxi fares which would be approximately $50.
3. And at the end of the night, we may head downtown to see the fireworks, which is free!

So I can potentially save around $170 on New Years Eve. In my eyes, saving $170 is the same as working for $240 (b/c of income taxes)! That $170 can be put toward better uses like a Charity Donation (i’ve given $540 in 2006) or an iPod Nano. ;)

I plan on having fun, but saving a few dollars at the same time. What are your plans for New Years?

No matter what your plans are, be safe. I’ll see you in the New Year.