Summer cookouts are fun for everyone involved. Husbands are eager to do their fair share of the cooking anytime flame is involved. Kids love to eat anything that was cooked outside. Even clean up is easier with summer cookouts.
Of course, any meal that is so centered on meat can get expensive in a hurry. How can you enjoy the fun of summer cookouts without blowing your grocery budget? The secret is in the food and drink choices you make:
Shop while things are on sale. The other day my local grocery store had my favorite hot dogs on sale for $1 package. A couple of weeks before that hot dog buns were on sale.
Complimentary items aren’t always on sale at the same time, so buy the things you use regularly and store them until you can get the right accessories.
Select cheaper menu items. Steaks are great grill food, but they are also really expensive. You and your guests can just as easily enjoy a loaded hamburger. If you really want to serve something that is more upscale than hamburgers, grilled chicken breasts are another frugal option.
Save money on drinks. Soda and beer are popular cookout beverages, but they can be awfully pricey, too. We save money by serving tea and Kool-Aid, instead. The kids even love picking out their favorite flavors and taking turns mixing up their drinks.
Make your own ice. If you’re planning a large get together, you may be thinking about buying ice. A little planning, however, will eliminate this expense from your budget entirely. Start making ice a few days in advance, instead. If you have an ice maker in your freezer, you can just dump the ice bin into a cooler. If you use ice trays, you’ll just need to take the time to empty the trays and refill them frequently over the next few days.
Dinnerware makes great décor. If you want your cookouts to have a festive look, you don’t have to buy a lot of fancy decorations. We bought cheap plastic plates and cups to use outdoors. The bright colors dress up our table nicely, and this dinnerware won’t shatter or chip if someone drops it.
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