It’s the first 3-day weekend of summer and you know what that means! Cookouts and BBQs galore! Whether you’re hosting a cookout this summer or a guest bringing a side dish, check out these frugal tips.
- Cheaper Cuts of Meat
Here’s the thing about grilling: pretty much everything cooked on a grill tastes amazing so you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on the best cut of steak. Hot dogs aren’t exactly the fanciest meat product out there, but the smoky flavor and slightly-charred skin is one of America’s favorite cookout staples. (The same applies to hamburger). Save big and buy the cheaper cuts of meat like chicken, pork, hot dogs and hamburgers.
- Potluck Style
Hosting an event can be overwhelming! Besides the food, hosts have a list of things they’re responsible for: cutlery, plates, setup and cleanup. Make the day a little easier and assign guests a side dish to bring. Most of the time, people like to feel like they’re contributing and may even jump at the opportunity to share their prized potato salad with your guests.
- Have the Right Grill
Depending on how frequently you expect to grill this summer, gas or charcoal grills could be more cost efficient. If you only expect to BBQ a few times over the summer, charcoal grills are the way to go, as they are a less expensive purchase. However, if you are one of the people who loves to grill every meal of the summer, we recommend gas for the lower fuel cost in the long run.
- Alcohol-Free or BYOB
Adult beverages at cookouts can get pretty pricey. We suggest going alcohol free. If that’s unrealistic for your party and guests, make it a BYOB cookout. This way, those who want to drink can account for themselves.