Take Me--and My Credit Card--Out to The Ballgame

Written by Beverly Blair Harzog
Posted On: April 7, 2010

Whether you're a rabid fan who's been counting the days until the first pitch or you're a casual fan who goes to the ballpark to escape from your office, there's nothing like a day of baseball in the spring.

There's also nothing like paying nine bucks for a hotdog at the concession stand. But your day at the park doesn't have to be a budget buster. Here are some tips to keep more cash in your wallet:

Set a baseball budget. You wouldn't go on vacation without setting a budget, right? Think of your trip to the ballpark as a mini vacation. And if you're taking a family, things add up in a hurry. Tell the kids what the budget is before you leave your home.

Use your credit cards to stay on budget. This really works as long as you have the discipline to say "no" to the six dollar Dippin' Dots when you only have 50 cents left in your budget. Use your credit card to buy the tickets and shoot for the nosebleed section to save money. Subtract the ticket cost from your budget. The amount left is what you have to spend on food and souvenirs. Oh, and parking.

Keep track of what you've spent. Collect your credit card receipts from purchases during the game and keep a running total. You say you're not good at math? Sorry, you don't get off that easily. Put a tiny calculator in your pocket or purse and you're ready to add at a moment's notice. No math aptitude necessary!

Save money by bringing a cooler. The rules for this vary by park. You can save a bundle by bringing your own soft drinks and water. Check the website for your park and you'll find the rules, which usually include the size and type of coolers allowed. If you've got a rewards credit card that gives points for groceries, use it when you buy your drinks and snacks.

Pack your rewards cards. Driving to the park? Use a gas rebate card, such as the Discover Open Road card. You'll get 2 percent cash back when you use any full-service, standalone gas station, on up to $250 per month.