Food

Tips for a Fabuless Fourth of July Party

By Mary Hall | July 3, 2013

Vogue Vintage Fourth of July

July Fourth is one of the easiest holidays when it comes to cheap and cheerful entertaining at home. It’s all about the BBQ, which is a simple way to prepare everything from eggplant to steaks to corn. You can’t beat it. If you’re entertaining at home this holiday, here’s some tips to help you save.

KNOW WHEN TO SHOP – According to Jeanette Pavini- a personal finance columnist for more than a decade and the savings expert for www.CouponsForChange.org,. you can save by buying meat in evening at your local market. Ask your butcher what time of day they typically mark down meat -it’s usually in the early morning or evening. Some stores have two rounds of markdowns. For example, a package of chicken might be marked down 30% in the morning, and if it doesn’t sell by evening, it will be further marked down to 60%.
PLAN WITH STORE SPECIALS AS YOUR GUIDE- Build your menu around the items that are on sale at your grocery store and for double the savings, find coupons (Red Plum is a good source) that match those items as well. Items like ribs, chicken, burgers and hot dogs will be reduced for the holiday. Sites like CouponsForChange.org have printable coupons on tons of grocery items and for every 3 coupons you clip, a free meal will be provided to a food-insecure child or adult.
PROVIDE SOME EASY COCKTAILS OR WINE TO SERVE WITH YOUR MEAL: I love a good Mojito which is an easy to make concoction of rum, muddled mint mint and soda water with lime and a bit of sugar. If you want to keep it simple, pick up some frugal wines. Some of my favorite bottles under $20.00 are Layer Cake Shiraz and Cline Zinfinadel both of which go well with spicy foods and BBQ.
PILE ON THE VEGGIES: Shop your local farmer’s market for fresh vegetables like corn to throw on the grill or great salad fixings. Fresh tomatoes with basil, olive oil, salt and pepper make a delicious and simple salad.

Have you made your Fourth of July plan yet readers? Whatever you plan is I hope you are surrounded by friends and family and that you spend the day relaxing.