Maximize your tailgate budget with auto refinancing

The football season kicks off Thursday, September 4, 2025, and fans from Dallas to Chicago to Miami are already game-planning their tailgates. Whether you’re grilling in the heat or layering up near the lake, tailgating costs money. Between parking, food, and gear, it adds up faster than the Chicago Bears quarterback getting sacked. But here’s a play-action move that pays off, save an average of $162/month by refinancing your auto loan through Caribou.^*

What is auto refinancing?

If you’re tailgating, your car does more than get you there. It’s your gear hauler, your grill station, and sometimes your nap zone after the early game. So if you’re still paying your car loan off, it might be worth checking if you could qualify for a lower rate. Auto refinancing means replacing your current loan with a new one that may offer a lower rate or monthly payment. Through Caribou, drivers save an average of $162/month.* That money could go toward parking, food, or getting a cooler that doesn’t leak.

How much does a tailgate cost?

Tailgating isn’t cheap, especially if you’re hosting. Whether you’re parked outside Soldier Field or soaking up the sun in Miami, here’s what the average game-day setup might run you:

• Parking: $55–$117
  (Some stadiums, like SoFi in LA, charge up to $160)
  
• Food: $70 for mains + $30 for sides
  (Based on a 4-person tailgate meal average of $147)
  
• Drinks and ice: Around $40
  (With ice costing $2–$4 per bag)
  
• Fuel (propane or charcoal): $5–$10 per game
  (Depends on what you’re grilling and how much)
  
• Gear (coolers, chairs, flags): $15–$25 per game
  (Amortized over the season from a basic ~$200 setup)

That’s roughly $220 to $240 per game!

Cover the essentials, plus a little extra

Tailgating doesn’t need to be over the top. It just needs to cover the basics: food, drinks, parking, and maybe something to keep the sun or rain off their heads. With potential average savings of $162/month from refinancing your auto loan through Caribou*, you could check those boxes and still have room for something extra.

Here’s what that might look like on game day:

• Parking: around $60
  
• Main food + sides: about $100
  
• Drinks + ice: $40
  
• Extras: better chairs, Bluetooth speaker, or gas for the grill

That’s enough to keep the tailgate running without putting the rest of your budget on the line.

Ready to set your game plan in action?

Start by checking your rate through Caribou to see if refinancing could save you money. Then split that monthly savings across your home games to figure out what you can spend each time. Pick one thing to put that money toward, maybe better food, a decent speaker, or just not stressing over parking. Just keep it fun, and make sure the cooler stays closed at all times.