Last Updated March 29, 2021
Ever noticed how expensive celebrating Independence Day could be? According to WalletHub, Americans spend $6.9B on food; $1.568B on alcohol; and $825M on fireworks for 4th of July. Find out how you can still celebrate the 4th of July on a budget.
How To Celebrate 4th Of July On A Budget
1. Make A Budget
The first thing you should do is make a 4th of July budget. Figure out how much you can afford to spend to celebrate the 4th of July this year and stick to it.
Once you have an idea of how much you want to spend, make a list of what you need and how much it will cost. If you notice the total of the items on your list is more than your budget, consider cutting some things out.
2. Start Planning
You want to start planning as early as possible. You get the best deals when you plan in advance. This is because you can do some research and start comparison-shopping for the items on your list or any trips you want to take.
Use my FREE Holiday Meal Planner found in my Resource Library to help you if you plan to have a barbecue. The Holiday Meal Planner will make it easy to plan your 4th of July menu, make a shopping list, and track sales prices. You can also reuse this free planner for other holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
When you sign up for my FREE Resource Library, I’ll send you my secret password to get access to over 20 pages of easy to print worksheets, checklists, and money-saving tips.
3. Earn Free Rewards On Your Grocery Bill
Download the Fetch Rewards app to earn free rewards on your grocery bill if you plan to have a barbecue (or any other time you buy groceries).
All you have to do is snap a picture of your receipt and earn rewards—it’s that simple.
No hoops to jump through. No pre-selecting offers, no scanning barcodes, no surveys, no ads…you scan your receipts and you’ll earn points!
Also, you will get a 3K point BONUS when you use code “APREWARDS”.
4. Keep The Decorations Simple
You can save money by keeping your decorations simple. You can get these Red White and Blue hanging paper fans at a real affordable price on Amazon.
You can even make things a little more fun with these 4th of July party favors!
5. Go To A Free Fireworks Show
Most cities will have a free fireworks show on the 4th of July. In New York City, where I live, there’s the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. So check your local town or surrounding areas to see if they offer a free fireworks show.
If you can’t find a free fireworks show near you, watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on television. It’s free to watch and it’s one of America’s largest Independence Day fireworks display that happens every year in New York City.
6. Opt for Sparklers Instead of Fireworks
Instead of putting on a full fireworks display, opt for some fun sparklers instead. You can get sparklers for much cheaper than full fireworks. Be careful giving sparklers to children because they can burn them.
7. Have A Potluck Barbecue
It can be expensive to host a barbecue at your home. So ask everyone to bring at least one thing to keep your costs low. Asking your friends and family to bring a dish helps not only ease the financial burden, but also saves you time cooking.
One option is to supply the food that goes on the grill (like hot dogs, burgers, chicken, and ribs), but ask your guests to bring a side dish or drinks.
8. Go To A Barbecue
A great way to celebrate the 4th of July on a budget is to go to someone else’s barbecue. When going to someone else’s barbecue, make sure to bring a dish or a bottle of alcohol as a gift to your host.
Going to a barbecue will cost you anywhere from $10 – $50 depending on the dish or bottle you bring. This is a MUCH cheaper option than hosting a barbecue at your own home.
9. Limit The Alcohol
I know 4th of July is the time to celebrate by eating, drinking, and spend time with family and friends—but try to limit the alcohol. Buying multiple bottles of alcohol can really add up.
Limit the amount of alcohol you buy. Also, try to go with more affordable options such as boxed wine and beer. It’s even better if you skip the alcohol altogether!
10. Shop For Next Year
After the 4th of July is over, start purchasing decorations for next year. You will save a ton of money because these decorations will be at a deep discount to get rid of inventory. This is a great way to stock up for next year.
Summary
There are many ways you can celebrate the 4th of July on a budget. Start by making a budget and plan early. If you need help making a budget, use this FREE Monthly Budget Printable.
Save money by hosting a barbecue and have your friends help out by bringing food or their favorite alcohol. Keep you decorations simple and stock up for next year after 4th of July is over. Skip the fireworks and opt for sparklers instead. Finally, you can save money by going to someone else’s barbecue or going to free events.
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