Finding it impossible to throw a party on a budget? It's easier than you might think. You only need to keep a few places in mind to throw a great party and still manage to save some money.
What college party wouldn't be complete without the traditional red cup? So versatile and yet so elusive. You can almost never find a clean one when you need it to fill up at a keg. The cheapest place for all your red cup needs is Walmart, 292 E. State St. Here, you can get packs of 50 cups for only $2.86 - you will have 22 cups for a game of 10-cup beer pong with two water cups and still have an additional 28 cups for side drinks. Compare this price with the Dollar General Store, 1016 E. State St., where it's $1 for 12 cups and Big Lots, 918 E. State St., where it's $1 for 18 cups. Mike's Dog Shack, 20 S. Court St., sells 20 red cups for $2 and Union Street Market, 26 W. Union St., sells a pack of 15 cups with 1 pong ball for $3.19. Lucky Dog Carry-out & Liquor, 309 W. Union St., also sells cups: 10 cents each or, if you're providing for large numbers, you can also buy 240 cups for $14.59.
Ping pong balls are, without a doubt, the easiest party necessity to lose. Whether behind your couch or crushed by your partner's foot, they're always in demand. Mike's Dog Shack sells pong balls for 50 cents each and Lucky Dog for 60 cents. If you want to stock up, you can get a six-pack from Walmart for $2.86.
You might need some mixers for non-beer drinkers. For inexpensive, non-alcoholic drink options, try Big Lots or the Dollar General. Dollar General sells six packs of off-brand sodas for only $1 as well as 1-liter bottles. You can get cheap liters of off-brand soda at Walmart as well for 78 cents during sales, so stay on the lookout. Since Big Lots is a closeout store, they are able to offer name brands at cheaper prices. Try liters of Welch's fruit juices for $2.25 for mixed drinks. A comparable juice, Walmart's Great Value brand, will run you about $2.98.
What party wouldn't be complete without drinks to fill your red cups? Check out these places for cheap and convenient beer runs.
A 24-case of Bud Light costs $16.99 at Walmart, the BP at 50 N. Court St. and Lucky Dog; it is $17.99 at Union Street Market. Twelve packs are $10.49 at Walmart and Union Street Market, but only $9.99 at the Court Street BP. A 24-case of Budweiser is $19 with tax at Mike's Dog Shack.
A 30-case of Natural Light is $14.99 at Walmart, Lucky Dog and BP; $15 with tax at Mike's Dog Shack and $16.23 at Union Street Market. For 12-packs, Walmart, BP, Union Market and Lucky Dog sell them for $7.49.
Keystone Light, which comes in cases of 30, is $14.99 at Walmart, Lucky Dog and BP; $16.00 at Union Street Market and $15 with tax at Mike's Dog Shack. Walmart, Lucky Dog and BP all sell 12-packs for $6.99. Mike's Dog Shack also sells 12-packs of Keystone Light at half the price of a regular case of Keystone Light.
Lucky Dog, BP, Union Street Market and Mike's Dog Shack also sell forties. Try Bud Light for $2.29 at BP or Lucky Dog.
Kegs can be pricey but can also save you money if you're having a big party that will drink through it by morning. You can contact a distributor for kegs and, luckily, we have one locally, Kerr Distributing, 771 W. Union St. Prices vary depending on the brand of beer. Prices and contact information can be found on their website at: www.kerrcompanies.com.
Now that you're all set for the party, sit back and relax. Enjoy the evening, and the extra money left in your wallet.
Whitney Thompson is a senior studying English literature and columnist for The Post. Send your party provision problems to her at wt365806@ohiou.edu.
4 Opinion
Whitney Thompson
