5 Money-Savvy Habits for Craft Beer Fans
If you are obsessed with craft beer – finding new breweries, promoting the local environment, and collecting special bottles – it is not cheap. A love of craft beer, along with an intelligent use of money, can make every tasting a pleasant and easy thing to enjoy. A beer budget will give you an opportunity to use your funds on trying new brews, enjoying special releases, as well as building your collection without panic. Also consider developing habits such as keeping a diary of your purchases, planning your brewery visits, or setting up a special savings account to ensure that your sips are both enjoyable and affordable.
Make a Monthly Beer Envelope
There is nothing like budgeting can kill the buzz; however, that does not imply that you cannot make it easy. To start with, establish a monthly beer envelope either in cash form or in an online account. It will allow you to manage your expenditure in all the beer-related activities: tastings, attending breweries, and shopping in bottle shops. The envelope is gone; that is your signal to have a rest until next month. It will reduce the number of impulse purchases and allow you to have more time and more enjoyment of what you already have at home, without needing to run out to get the new one.
Plan Your Purchases Around Core Releases and Happy Hours
Have you ever bought a special barrel-aged stout only to later see the same stout discounted? Thinking ahead about your purchases can help you save some cash. Just remember to look at the core release calendar for your favorite breweries and drink seasonally if they have something available. And don’t forget, happy hours! Many tap rooms offer premium beer at a lower price during slow times. If you pay some attention to when happy hours are, you can save your money while enjoying craft beer.
When Using Memberships, Approach with Care
Joining a beer club could either be a sound investment or a money pit. Think about it: assess what you’re actually getting out of the membership before signing up. Then simply find a calculated method of comparing your club membership to your usual drinking and spending habits! When you are intending to join some clubs, you may consider balancing the renewal date so that you do not have a cluster of renewals at the same time. When you can strategize the costs of membership to consume your beer, you will be able to have the benefits without having to spend money on buying bottles/events that you do not necessarily require.
Track the Value of Your Cellar and Trade Safely
If you are cellaring rare bottles or trading online, you should consider your beer collection as a portfolio. Create a spreadsheet to track the price you paid, its current value, and how long it has been since it was purchased. Tracking these items will provide greater visibility into what bottles you’re willing to drink, trade, or hold. Only trade on vetted platforms or in verified communities.
Create an Inflation Buffer Outside Your Beer Spending
The prices of craft beer are increasing as the prices of ingredients and production costs rise. Even without inflation, you will see noticeable price increases for your grocery shopping every time you go. If you want to preserve your spending on beer into the future, start setting aside a small inflation buffer. One approach is through a micro bullion stacking program like the PIMBEX Gram Club. This program allows you to accumulate small amounts of physical silver over time as a bit of a steady, incremental savings tool that preserves some purchasing power for your next brewery experience. In a sense, you are investing a few dollars now to offset the increase in costs of beer drinking for the future.
Smart Sipping: Enjoy Craft Beer Without Breaking the Bank
Being a fan of craft beer does not imply spending too much and losing your wallet. There are some simple habits you can make that would allow you to enjoy plenty of pints every week without being guilty. Being able to create your plans on what to buy and exploring something that is cost-effective keeps your hobby enjoyable and sustainable. It is an extra-good feeling to take a drink when your finances are in check and you can have as much fun as you want with your drinks.