At first glance, you wouldn’t think that barbecues are the place to get ahead financially. After all, barbecues are supposed to be a time to have good food, hang out with good friends and just relax.
However, finances affect everything, especially with inflation rates soaring. If you’re planning on having a barbecue this summer, these moves can help you save money while still having a great time.
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Make Your Own Rub
Adding a rub to a cut of meat to make it more flavorful is a popular tactic among grillmasters, and you can take your pick from any one of the spice blends companies offer in a grocery store. If you want to save some money, though, take some time and mix up your own spice rub instead of paying more for a prepackaged blend. You can find rub recipes online, including some recipes that mimic the taste of more popular rubs, and with a little experience you can create your own personal spice rub to impress your friends.
Have a Potluck
Let’s face it—food is expensive. People can easily find themselves paying over 10% more for their groceries than they did in 2020, and that means that buying all the ingredients for a barbecue can quickly spiral out of control.
One way to reduce food costs without sacrificing the good food any barbecue needs to have is to hold a potluck. Have all your friends bring a dish to pass around, from side dishes to desserts. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll also get to try out your friend’s recipes.
Look for Deals on Meat
As you’re preparing for your barbecue, keep an eye out for deals on food, especially meats. While you can still look at circulars, you can also take the high-tech approach and see if any grocery stores are having a sale on meat.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also save money on meat by buying cheaper cuts of beef, like flank steak, and use a marinade to tenderize it before throwing it on the grill. You can also break away from the traditional beef and pork cuts and buy a cheaper meat, like chicken thighs.
Do it Yourself
Go to a grocery store and you’ll probably see a selection of foods prepared for the grill, from pre-chopped vegetables to pre-assembled kebab skewers. While buying these and saving yourself a bit of time can be tempting, you’re better off buying the vegetables and kebab ingredients yourself and preparing them at home.
Preparing your food by yourself doesn’t just save you money. It will also mean that your food will be fresher, since pre-cut foods, especially veggies, are often less flavorful due to the packaging process that helps these foods last longer. You can also choose to include or omit certain ingredients if you or one of your guests has a food allergy.
Don’t Get More Grill Than You Need
If you’re a first-time griller, you might look at the rows of grills outside big box stores and be smitten with all the features they offer, from a large grilling space to a side burner. Before you get a home equity loan to finance the grill of your dreams, though, take a minute and figure out how much grill you really need.
If you’re just beginning to use a grill, you might want to stick with a simple charcoal model, especially if you’re not planning to grill often. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced grillmaster who regularly cooks for multiple people, you might want to invest in a fancier grill.
Make the Most of Your Summer With First Alliance Credit Union
Barbecues are a great way to get together with friends and enjoy some fantastic food. However, it’s also a great time to save money. By preparing your own food, looking for deals on groceries and having a potluck with friends, you’ll be able to have a barbecue without worrying about how much it's going to cost.
If you’d like to fund your barbecue or other summer events, take advantage of the services First Alliance Credit Union offers. You can use a uChoose rewards credit card to buy your supplies, save up money for a nice grill in a traditional savings account, or even take out a home equity line of credit to remodel your deck so you can entertain your guests in style.
