Barbecuing On A Budget

It’s finally barbeque season, so get that grill fired up! But, as fun as grilling out with friends and family can be, it can get a little pricey if you are playing host or hostess.  However, there are ways to stick to a budget while still indulging in good eats. Here are three tips to follow so you can have your burger and eat it, too.

1.      Buy discounted meat - According to a recent survey, the ground beef you’ll need for your burgers costs 12% more this year (about $4.61/lb) compared to last year. To avoid breaking the bank, buy your meats when it goes on sale, and freeze it until BBQ day. Or, go on the day of your party and buy the fresh discounted meat then. Meat on sale is still fresh and good to use, but it needs to be used soon.

2.      Make it a potluck - You buy the main dish, everyone else brings the sides and dessert. Seems like a fair trade, right? This way, you’ll get a variety of flavors at your get-together, and nobody spends much. Have Aunt Sally bring her famous chocolate cake, Uncle Joe can bring his corn on the cob, and Bill, your neighbor down the street, can bring the beer.

3.      Use what you’ve got- Don’t blow your cash on paper plates and plastic utensils. Instead, use the dishes in your cabinet, and put your dishwasher to use afterwards. This way you’ll save money and make an eco-friendly decision.

 

So go ahead- have a party! Just make a few budget-conscious decisions when planning and you’ll save money and have fun in the process.

Don’t forget to follow Honor on Twitter @honorcu!  Tweet us and let us know what you want to hear us talk about on Mason Jar Monday next week using #askhonorcu!

To listen to 97.5 Y-Country’s Wild Bill and Honor’s Scott McFarland talk about barbecuing on a budget, listen to the Mason Jar Monday episode below.