- Stockpile meat while on sale. Hot dogs aren’t too expensive, but hamburger, chicken, and ribs can be a little more pricey! At our latest cookout, we had smoked chickens. I had spent less than $.80/lb. for the whole chickens, and boy were they delicious. They were all already in our freezer too!
- Don’t be afraid to ask guests to help. Most of your friends and family won’t mind bringing a side dish or dessert. Many people ask us if they can bring something anyway, so we just let them help! This can also save on stress for the host or hostess too!
- It doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun! Very few people are going to be worried about whether your paper napkins match your paper plates. Don’t go overboard on the decorating. Your friends are there to spend time with you, not to see how fancy your yard is.
- Work out of your stockpile and use sale items to supplement. If you go to one store in one week and buy everything for a cook out, you are going to spend a ton. Plan what you are serving according to some items you already have in your stockpile or what is on sale for the week.
- Have a plan for leftovers. Unless you are better at planning than us, there will probably be leftovers. Work them into your menu for the week or plan another small get together. Don’t let those leftovers go to waste!
Do you have a Thrifty idea? Did you save a ton of money this week? Do you have a Thrifty deal you want to share? If so, please leave a comment or link up below!
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I am actually having a cook out tonight! ( Even though it is not too warm here yet) I am on the board for the spouses club, and we had a craft festival last month on base. We sold concessions, and had plenty of hot dogs & chips left. I threw them in my freezer, and we have decided to treat our members with dinner tonight. Hot Dogs, Chips, and I am making a HUGE pan of my homemade baked beans. SO cheap and easy! Our plates and napkins never match for club meetings…. usually just whatever I have found on sale. We may not be fancy, but we are fun :)
I’m sure everyone will have a great time, and enjoy your hospitality!
Have fun Tiffani!
Thanks Shelly,you must read my mind. My husband and I were talking about having something over the Memoria Day weekend. I didn’t want to work too hard & go to work the next day tired. But thanks to your tips, I will use my head more. We buy alot of food that is wasted and I don’t eat cook out leftovers. I have a very sensitive belly.
Thanks again, enjoy your day!
You are welcome! Don’t go overboard, and remember your guests are coming for you, not your house or anything fancy!
Enjoy! :)
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