As Americans, we LOVE celebrating our independence, spending almost $8.5 billion on food and alcohol alone. ACCC wants to make sure you have a great celebration (without incurring credit card debt) by making a few recommendations. With these tips, you can save money to ensure a frugal Fourth of July Party!
Avoid credit card debt with a frugal fourth of July party!
3 Frugal Fourth Of July Tips
1. Food And Drink
Let’s begin with an essential for any party: food and drink. To put some ease on your budget, make your cookout or picnic a potluck affair. The more guests that bring desserts, sides, utensils and drinks, the more you can budget for essential meals. It is also a smart idea to purchase seasonal fruit and produce because it is cheaper and fresher in season. Similarly for meats, check with the local butcher or deli clerk for any unadvertised specials or deals. Don’t overpay when there might be a deal available!
2. Hosting on the Fourth
Nothing is wrong with entertaining family and friends at home. If you want to try something else, go to a public park or beach! Before you do, see if you have any friends in the area that will let you park in the driveway. Doing this will keep you from paying for a parking space. You can still set up a grill and bring a cooler and have guests bring a potluck. This saves you trips to the concession stand and keeps your Fourth of July party frugal.
3. Fireworks
Fireworks are as American of a celebration that you can get. We love it so much, it’s estimated that we spend $825 million on them. To keep your Fourth of July party frugal, we once again recommend going someplace public. Each year, there are at least 16,000 locations that host a fireworks display. This keeps you from having to buy your own. If you decide to do your own, you must do a few things. First, check your state laws and see if you can purchase or use them. Second, make sure you are insured and have a plan for an emergency. Unfortunately, 760 people go to the emergency room due to fireworks injuries each year, so be safe rather than sorry.
Frugal Fourth of July Party Conclusion
Celebrating America’s independence is a great way to spend time with your friends and family over the summer. Of course, Uncle Sam wouldn’t want you to fall behind on your debt by spending too much on a party. Our advice is to always budget first. Then you can celebrate the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
If you struggle to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Sign up for a free credit counseling session with us today!
