July 4th is coming up soon! That is the time for lots of fun, food, and fireworks! I love hosting these parties just to get together with friends and enjoy great food and watch the night sky light up so beautifully. It gives me chills when I think about the fact that I can do this where I live – I live in a country where we truly are free!
If you are planning on being the host or hostess for your get together, keep a few things in mind to help keep your budget in check, while still having fun!
EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON JULY 4TH
Save on decorations
Don’t rush out and buy fancy plates with stars and stripes. Instead, visit your Dollar Store and find red, white or blue balloons and streamers. Use plain white table cloths and add some red, and blue confetti to the table top for an instant, yet affordable way to decorate.
Make your party BYOB
Whip up a gallon or two of iced tea for your guests. But when it comes to libations, tell your guests to bring their own. Have some coolers with ice available so they can toss them inside and keep those beverages cool.
Easy ways to save on food
Keep the food simple when planning your July 4th party. You will often find popular picnic items on sale at your local grocery store. Just make sure you print the coupons for the items you need – so you don’t pay more than necessary!
But, instead of picking up everything, have your guests help! You could provide the hot dog and hamburgers and ask your guests to bring the side, chips, and desserts.
Hit the Dollar Stores for paper goods
Rather than spend money on printed paper goods, just go for red, white or blue solid colors. Or heck – just skip the color all together and pick up white plates and goodies at your local dollar store.
You can find some incredible deals on these items, which just end up in the trash anyhow. Think about it – do you remember the plates you ate off of at your last party? Chances are you don’t – so why spend so much on something that doesn’t really matter?
Set up correctly
Make sure that you’ve got everything you need ready to go. That means setting out enough chairs and seating for your guests. You might even ask your guests to bring along their own lawn chairs. Make sure you have the bug spray and/or citronella candles on hand so that you don’t get eaten alive.
Plan before you shop
A shopping list is a key to saving money. When you forget something, it not only takes more time to run back to the store to pick it up, it also might cost you more as impulse purchases might find their way into your shopping cart.
Don’t pay too much for fireworks
In many parts of the country, you can set off fireworks (check your local regulations). Watch for coupons in the paper and online and don’t fall for the big displays. Read more about saving money on fireworks.
Whatever you do – make sure you do it safely. No one wants to end up in the emergency room nor have a fire. Just use your head and you can still have a lot of fun! Enjoy the day!!