Clashing pads. Thunderous tackles. Pinpoint passes.
That’s right.
Football season has returned!
The NFL preseason is in full swing, and the 2025 college football season is just over the horizon.
You’ve likely prepared for this hallowed pastime – sporting a new jersey for your favorite team, scouring depth charts for your fantasy football drafts, and, of course, ready to partake in all manner of tailgates and game day food.
As we celebrate the return of America’s most popular sport, we’ve created a checklist to ensure your weekends (and weekdays) game days go off without breaking your budget.
You Need Versatile Game Day Food
Good food can make or break a game day experience. It’s something no amount of football party decorations and ambiance can distract from.
A good football snack is shareable for the size of your party. Try to incorporate a dish people can gather around while the game is on, or maybe even stress-eat when things are getting tense on the field.
Wings. Hot dogs. Burgers. All are obvious choices that are frequently on sale during the season. Pizza is another option, although buying that on a week-to-week basis can get expensive.
Consider buying meats and snacks in bulk as well. It may actually be more cost-efficient to overestimate how much you think you’ll need. After all, the high stakes of game day can spike hunger.
Be Selective With Football Party Decorations
We understand.
Ambiance is important.
For many football lovers, it’s not JUST about watching the game on television. It’s about the emotional connection to what’s happening on the field.
When you’re leaning forward on your couch, living and dying with every play, some good football party decorations can accentuate the experience.
You should check Facebook Marketplace or other online communities for people who are looking to offload team-specific items.
It’s quite possible to get them very cheap, or free!
Throw a Good Tailgate With Friends
Adding more people to a tailgate party could mean an expanded budget, but sharing costs can also help you save money.
A good friend, or group of friends, can coordinate game day weekend-watching plans, split the costs on hosting, and help with the clean-up! And if you’re tailgating at a stadium, it’s always better with good company.
Elevate Your Game Day Party with Achieva Cash Rewards
There are so many ways to save money on your game day experience. A good way to pay yourself back for the money you’re spending is with the Achieva Credit Union Cash Rewards Mastercard.
There’s no annual fee, no cash advance fee, and you’ll earn up to 1.5% cash back on every charge, including recurring charges.
Achieva’s cash rewards credit card also includes Mastercard ID Theft Protection, a chip in the card for extra security, and Mastercard Global Emergency Services.
ID theft protection provides identity theft resolution services. And the emergency services include access to 24-hour assistance for lost and stolen cards, emergency card replacement, and emergency cash advances.
All of these benefits can help give you peace of mind this football season, when your team can’t.
Call 727.431.7690, apply online, or make an appointment at one of our branches to speak with an Achieva professional today.
And let’s get ready for a few fun-filled months of football!
