How to attend a Bills game without breaking the bank

Let's face it: We are all poor college kids. Although summer just ended, and some of us may think differently, the consistent paychecks are over.

It's budgeting season.

At the same time, we're in Buffalo, and attending Bills games are a part of the culture here. Especially this season, with a weak AFC East, even the most pessimistic of Buffalo fans have reason to believe the Bills can at least make some noise.

The only question is: How can you attend a game without crying the next time you see your account balance?

Here is how you and two of your buddies can attend a game for under $60 apiece...

This may sound difficult to do, but believe me, it can be done and the experience won't suffer on account of your stinginess.

To attack the question of how to find a reasonable ticket, you don't need to wait for StubHub because True Blue offers student discounts. One game that jumps off the schedule is Nov. 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Through True Blue, you can purchase tickets for $25. Yes, they are in the upper deck, but hey, that's where most of the fun happens at any sporting event.

Unfortunately, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) discontinued the Game Day Service, which picked up students and anyone from the community at the South Campus terminal. The bus ran to and from Ralph Wilson Stadium for $4 roundtrip.

With the stadium being so far away from campus, there is no cheap public transportation viable; the cheapest option is to drive. It shouldn't take more than four gallons of gas roundtrip - depending upon the vehicle - but estimating around $15 in total gas results in $5 per person. After paying $8 per person to park near the stadium, we're already over half of our goal of $60 ($38 so far).

There is one area in which you can save a significant amount of money just by a little planning. Bring food.

Because games are on Sundays, it's likely you will be feeling a bit groggy in the morning. In my opinion, the best solution is a nice bacon, egg and cheese. And for the combination of quality and price, Mayback's Deli in Tonawanda is the place to go - bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches with hash browns are $4.

And why not take care of lunch while in the same store? For $6, you can get any cold sub, which you can bring and demolish during the tailgate.

Now we're at $48.

Speaking of tailgates, what's a football game without some alcohol?

To avoid the embarrassment of holding a Natural Ice or Keystone Light, I suggest going the Bud Light route. There are 30 racks that aren't expensive and, at the same time, you won't look like a broke college kid. Split it three ways and you're paying about $8 per person - probably the price to buy one beer in the stadium.

After splitting everything equally, each of you paid $56 for a game ticket, transportation, parking, food and alcohol. Not too bad, considering NFL prices.

The variable in this situation is your ability to avoid drunk spending. Keep that under control and you are in the clear.

If you make sure the driver is responsible and cut off early to drive home after the game, you'll have yourself a stress-free, cost-friendly Bills game.

Email: owenobri@buffalo.edu