Now that you’re 21 and finally allowed to drink alcohol legally and openly, a whole new world of non-sketchy bars and drinking in restaurants has opened up to you. Even though you’re still in college, you probably feel like a full-fledged member of society, ready to clink glasses potential business associates, or at least spend your afternoons chugging 16oz. drafts at happy hour. But with all of this newfound legitimacy comes extra responsibility, and we don’t just mean drinking and driving. Booze isn’t cheap, and the markup of alcohol in restaurants is pretty absurd. Even if you’re hitting up happy hour more regularly than ordering bottles of wine and nicer restaurants, you’re going to see a major hit to your budget as you start drinking out in public.

To keep your beer budget in check, commit to yourself some sort of limit on how many drinks you’ll have each time you go out, what types of drinks you’ll have (beer is usually cheapest, but hard liquor may give you more bang for your buck), and/or how many times you’ll go out drinking each week. If you find it hard to police yourself at first, try hanging out with underage friends or throw apartment and dorm parties like you used to. Buying alcohol from the store and mixing drinks yourself is much, much cheaper. You can also pre-game at home if you have a safe way to get to the bars, saving you on your overall bar tab. Keep in mind, though, that the more you and your friends drink, you’ll have to spend money on a taxi, making your drinking even more expensive.

Don’t be disappointed if you have to stick with your undergraduate ways a bit longer, staying in to party or choosing the cheap beer at the grocery store. Stick to happy hours or nights when bars offer good specials on drinks, and don’t buy shots at bars: they’re way overpriced. Instead, enjoy your young and broke college days: good beer and wine will always be there.