We typically do a happy hour at a local brewery or rent a suite with catered food/drink at a local baseball game. 

You make sure your family has food and a roof overhead. 

I still love it- great music and food, good biking and climbing and world class kayaking. 

Maybe food for thought on the next time.

If it's not food, transportation, housing, or ABSOLUTE necessities, don't spend money on it.

I know this is dinner time, they have a food truck there with pretty decent options. 

Just some food for thought as you continue doing your research.

This is almost like saying you open a restaurant and need to make separate bank accounts for payroll, utilities, customers, taxes, insurance, repairs, supplies, food, etc....Learn to do some bookkeeping and it will make your life, and your accountant's/cpa's life much easier. 

If not - I'm stuck renting for another five years or so (not the end of the world) to save up that cash, while still maintaining a sufficient personal emergency fund as well as a rental maintenance fund.Lots of food for thought here and I definitely appreciate everyone's input. 

Look at Costco and the host of payment processors out there, that is how they make money.