If you’re a big fan of the Mardi Gras celebration then it may be time to start planning out your trip. For many, Mardi Gras is a great time to blow off some steam and have a little fun before Easter arrives. With celebrations all over the world, many choose to visit New Orleans to show some love for the day of feasting. Of course, if you’re planning on celebrating the holiday you may get discouraged by the expensive price tag. From flights and hotels to food and drink, everything you need to buy to celebrate keeps adding up. There are a few ways to enjoy your good time without spending a lot of money though. With these ten tips you’ll be ready to have the time of your life on a budget that won’t dip into your hard earned savings.

1. Stay Close to Home
You don’t have to travel far to celebrate Mardi Gras. Although it may seem ideal to go to the major parties, you may find there’s plenty of fun to be had in your community. A lot of places will host their own special Mardi Gras celebration so make sure you see what your area has to offer before you make any financial decisions. If you live in or near a city then there’s a good chance you can get a taste of what goes on in New Orleans and other city’s that host big celebrations. With less people around you’ll be able to see and hear more than you would in populated cities and you won’t spend as much money. If there’s no celebrations near you then look around at cities that are a bit closer. If you can find a place within driving distance you’ll only have to worry about one night’s hotel and the cost of fueling up. This won’t even come close to what you’d spend when you involve airline tickets and high priced hotels.

2. Plan Ahead
One of the main keys to saving money when you travel is to plan ahead. With Mardi Gras less than a month away you may not be able to save a whole lot this holiday, but next year you’ll be prepared! It’s always best to ensure you get your airline and hotel secured several months in advance. This can be hard, especially if you’re not sure you can get time off work but the sooner you get your reservation in the better. Even if you’re not planning a trip to New Orleans, traveling to other cities can still be pricey if you’re not planning ahead. Large cities will still get you a better discount if you book ahead of time, so don’t wait. Making sure you have everything taken care of early will also ensure you have a hotel room when all of the action begins.

3. Public Transit
Mardi Gras celebrations are usually packed so the chances of you getting around in a car aren’t only slim but pretty pricey. If you’re traveling to enjoy Mardi Gras then public transportation is going to be your best friend. For a low price you can get a tourist or day pass which will allow you to go wherever you need without having to worry about the price of a taxi cab. Public transit will also allow you to have a good time without having to worry about who is going to drive you back to your hotel room. Even if you’re not going out of town for the celebration, public transportation can help save you money as you celebrate in your own city. With tourists out in full force you’re probably going to find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic more often than normal which costs you more and more in gas. Not to mention, when you go to the special event you’re more than likely going to have to drive around for a while to park. During events like this most places hike up the cost of parking too, which won’t do you any favors.

4. DIY Costume
No matter how or where you’re celebrating, one of the best aspects of the holiday is being able to dress up and have a good time. Retail costumes can cost a lot of money though which isn’t great for a budget. Rather than going out and buying your costume there’s a few quick and simple ways to make your own. The main themes surrounding Mardi Gras costumes tend to be royalty and jesters, which are fairly easy to make from common items found in the home. However, if you’re in a hurry or prefer to keep things simple then you may want to consider making a mask.There’s a lot of varieties to choose from too, so make sure you do a little research to see just what suits your style. If you have a little time and feel creative then you can easily work up a mask using paper mache; however if you’re in a rush then simply print out a mask template online and tape it to a straw, pencil or other item that could be used as a holder. These templates can be found online for free or a low cost, so let your browsing save the day, big time.

5. Research
One of the biggest problems many face is not knowing where to be and when to be there. This can be especially troublesome if you’re celebrating Mardi Gras with your family. Before you leave for your destination, may it be in your own city or at a larger celebration, look online to see if you can find schedules for events. Sometimes cities will map it out so families, especially those with children, will have their own area to celebrate while singles and anyone drinking will have another place. Knowing where to be in this situation can be important as it may ruin your celebration if you find yourself in the wrong area. It’s also important to know what’s going on as this will keep you entertained throughout the day. Most areas will have a parade and many also encourage musicians to play live shows. If you’re aware of everything on the itinerary, you’ll be ready to get the most out of the holiday while keeping your family safe.

6. Pack Snacks
Although February isn’t considered a hot month, it’s always important to have water on you whenever you go to an event. The case is the same when you celebrate Mardi Gras too. Before you leave for all the action try to pack a bag with water and some easy snacks for the family. This won’t just keep everyone happy and feeling good throughout the day, but will save you a whole lot of money. When you go to large events like this there’s a pretty good chance everything is going to be priced incredibly high. Yes, this sadly even includes water. With a bag full of snacks ready to go you can skip out on lunch and ensure everyone beats the mid-day hunger cravings without having to spend a lot of money. If you want to experience some food at the celebration then this is a great way to curve hunger until you find a good deal. However, with the right snacks you may not have to spend a penny while you’re out.

7. Look for Deals
Mardi Gras tends to center around drinking during most celebrations, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to join the crowd. Before things get too busy try to surf around the Mardi Gras area and see what bars are offering deals. Generally, happy hours are the best way to go, but make sure you look around the area and see if the bar isn’t just offering the same price as its competition during happy hour. You may also see if you can find a place that offers a drink and appetizer combo as this will help keep you full while also ensuring you don’t drink too much before going out in public. During the celebration there will also be many vendors selling handcrafts. These can be a lot of fun to buy, but use your common sense when you want something. If the price seems incredible then it’s probably not going to be worth it. You can also quickly browse around craft sites to see if anyone else is selling the same type of crafts for a much smaller price.

8. Visit Friends
If you’re feeling burdened by your budget then you may want to call around and ask if any friends or family members will be celebrating. This will allow you to still get to have some fun while also spending time with those you care about. Going to a party your friends or family are hosting can be even more fun than traveling to the actual event. In fact, it may be a great time to catch up with one another while enjoying good food, some drinks and amazing conversation. Not to mention, apart from chipping in for the party, you won’t have to rearrange your budget to have a good time.

9. Dining
Mardi Gras is filled with delicious food choices that will make your holiday spectacular. If you plan on going out then look for groupon deals or find a great restaurant with reasonable prices. However, if you’re staying in you can really go all out on your meal! Try looking up some recipes to see if anything strikes your fancy. There will be a wide variety of items to choose from that won’t cost a lot to make. Of course, with Mardi Gras you’re also going to come across some pricier dishes, like those that call for shrimp, but you can always substitute this ingredient for something else or leave it out entirely. One of the best and easiest things to make for Mardi Gras is Beignets which are simple to make and won’t cost you a small fortune. If you’re on a tight budget then these foods can easily be snacked on all day or served at a party. They’re also great as Mardi Gras treats for children!

10. Host a Party
When all else fails, throw your own Mardi Gras bash! This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune as there’s ways to entertain that won’t cost you a lot. Try asking your guest to bring in their own food or drink. Potlucks are perfect for allowing people to try new things and they take the burden of food away from the host. When it comes to music you won’t have to look any further than online radio as there will be numerous Mardi Gras playlist to choose from at no charge to you. If you’re low on decorations then print some fun Mardi Gras masks off the internet and tape them to the wall. You can also buy bulk Mardi Gras beads from most dollar or discount stores. These can be used as décor and party favors. With all the basic components covered, you should be set for a party your friends will be talking about for years to come!

When it comes to celebrating Mardi Gras you don’t have to keep your budget in the front of your mind in order to have a good time. With these ten tips you’ll ensure you’ll be set for an amazing time without actually having to pay the large price tag for it. This Mardi Gras is going to be all about when and where you feel like celebrating, rather than how much you’ve put on your credit card!