Written By: Adline Kaske
Hosting a Bachelor night or a taco Tuesday but don’t want to break the bank? It can be intimidating to put on a meal with grocery prices still on the rise. Even though inflation has been leveling out that hasn’t been the case for groceries or dining costs. Even with rising prices, there are still many ways to create a budget friendly party. Here are some of the best tips to save money while hosting.
It all starts with the planning:
Look at the deals that different grocery stores are having, such as Aldi which is known to put out a weekly ad with the theme that they have chosen to bring in or put on sale.
Being intentional about picking recipes with low-cost ingredients will help save money. Feel free to substitute ingredients to fit your budget or products in your pantry already. If you have lots of pasta, host a spaghetti night.
Be prepared when you head to the store.
After picking out a recipe or two, create a list of everything you need to buy and stick to it as you prepare to go shopping. Having a list to stick to will cut down on unneeded expenses.
Another great way to save money is to look at the store's frozen section for produce. Frozen produce has the same nutritional benefits and is a cheaper alternative to fresh produce. Consciously comparing products is beneficial to money management at the grocery store.
Spread out costs.
A great way to manage costs is to have everyone chip in. If you are having a taco night have a guest bring chips and salsa, and maybe another bring toppings like pico de gallo and taco sauce.
If you plan ahead, you can spread out costs and buy nonperishables a week or two ahead of time. Buying items over a span can help spread costs over different paychecks.
Ideas for food:
· Taco night: a classic with tacos or nachos, toppings, and salsa on the side.
· Appetizers: have different dips and finger foods with a bag or two of chips.
· Breakfast for dinner: pancakes, hashbrowns, eggs, and breakfast potatoes make for a good night.
· Grilled cheese bar: Get some bread and a couple of different types of cheese with some tomato soup on the side.
· Casseroles: a Midwest favorite, get your favorite recipe from your family and share it with others.
Hopefully when you go to plan a Bachelor Finale night or a girls’ night in you can use these tips to help save money. Most of all remember that it doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.