• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Budget Diet

The Budget Diet

Earn, Save & Live Smart.

  • Make Money
    • I Made $62,430
    • Rebate & Cashback Apps
    • Surveys That Pay
    • Side Gigs
    • Career
  • Smart Money
    • Saving Money
      • Save $400/mo
      • Budgeting
      • Coupons
    • Loans
      • Personal Loans
      • Auto
    • Bank Accounts
    • Investing
    • Debt
    • Insurance
    • Taxes
  • Smart Food
    • Meal Delivery & Subscription Services
    • Groceries
    • Recipes
    • Dining Out
  • Smart Life
    • Seasonal & Holiday
      • Summer
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Lent
      • Easter
      • Fourth of July
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Cheap Dates
    • Frugal Living
    • Cheap Thrills
    • Baby / Children
    • Utility Bills
    • Books
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Electronics
    • Gifts
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden
    • Weddings
    • Pets
    • Back to School
    • Home Decor
    • Travel
    • Earth Friendly
  • About
  • Rebate & Cashback Apps
  • Cut Spending by $400 a Month!
  • Investing
  • Recipes
Home » Smart Money » Budgeting » 7 Frugal Ways to Celebrate 4th of July

7 Frugal Ways to Celebrate 4th of July

Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by The Budget Diet Team

We are a reader supported blog and this page may contain affiliate links. When you buy something or sign-up through our links we may earn a small commission. All opinions in this article are the author's alone.

The biggest celebration of summer–the Fourth of July–is on its way, and it’s bringing star-spangled celebrations with it. Family, friends, food, and fireworks are just a few of the highlights of this holiday. But although the theme of the holiday is freedom, a day full of partying can end up leaving you a slave to debt.

But that’s not how it has to be. You can have an unforgettable day of celebration without overspending. Read on to discover frugal ways to celebrate the Fourth of July with your family and friends.

  1. Page Contents

    • Invite Friends to Pitch In
    • Have a BYOB Party
    • Keep Decorations Simple
    • Make Crafts with the Kids
    • Choose Sparklers over Backyard Fireworks
    • Attend a Street Festival
    • Avoid Parking Costs

    Invite Friends to Pitch In

    Image source: jealousdevil.com

    Barbecues are a staple of summer, and you can serve a traditional Independence Day picnic meal that includes hot dogs, hamburgers and ribs for less than $6 per person. Even still, it’s best for your wallet–and your sanity–if you ask others to contribute to the meal.

    To ensure good variety, ask your guests to claim ahead of time what dish or dishes they plan to bring to the meal. Consider using a paper sign-up sheet or an online form to record contributions. You could also have guests volunteer to bring paper goods, ice or garbage bags.

  2. Have a BYOB Party

    Image source: admin.geschenke-vergleichen.de

    Alcohol can be one of the biggest budget-busters of a summer party. In general, you should plan on having 1.25 drinks per guest, but in hot weather, that number goes up.

    Instead of supplying all of the drinks yourself, ask party guests to bring their own. Everyone could bring their own cooler from which to pull their personal refreshment throughout the festivities, or everybody’s contributions could be added to a communal beverage stash. Either way, the host saves money on booze.

  3. Keep Decorations Simple

    Image source: krrblog-production.imgix.net

    Although you can find plenty of decorations festooned with flag and firework images, buying all of those plates, cups and napkins can really add up. Instead of purchasing seasonal items, go for goods that are available year-round.

    For example, red or blue plastic tablecloths from the party aisle are usually only a dollar each, and they may be even less if you buy a multipack. In addition to covering tables, you can use these cheap table coverings to make other decorations, such as a festive bunting.

    Your store probably has red plastic cups in the paper goods aisle. These cups are usually bigger than the paper ones sold specifically for the Fourth, and they come in a larger pack too.

  4. Make Crafts with the Kids

    Image source: 4.bp.blogspot.com

    Whether you’re entertaining a crowd of kids or just your own, craft projects can be a fun way to pass the day. Done right, they can be cheap too. For example, kids will enjoy making paper firecracker decorations out of repurposed cardboard tubes.

    Craft projects are also an easy way to give everyone involved a patriotic look. Make beaded necklaces in red, white and blue, or fashion a baubly headband to wear to the fireworks.

  5. Choose Sparklers over Backyard Fireworks

    Image source: cdn-images-1.medium.com

    Some families spend a few hundred dollars or more at their local fireworks stand. Although it can be fun to set off these backyard blasts, if you think about it, you’re really just watching your money go up in smoke.

    Instead, concentrate your efforts on just one type of pyrotechnic experience: sparklers. These sizzling sticks appeal to both kids and kids-at-heart, and you can generally find inexpensive bundles at nearly any retail establishment around the Fourth.

    If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can make your own sparklers. After buying the ingredients, you’ll probably spend more than you would on store-bought sparklers, but it’s a unique way to get your family in the holiday mood.

  6. Attend a Street Festival

    Image source: share.america.gov

    Instead of hosting a get-together, go somewhere where the entertainment has already been planned for you. Many communities hold outdoor festivals in honor of Independence Day. The activity lineup might include parades, children’s games, demonstrations, and concerts.

    Admission to these events is often free, but other aspects of the event may not be, so plan carefully. Attend between meal times so you don’t have to fill up on expensive carnival food. Focus your time on the free entertainment that is offered. If you are interested in rides, weigh the money-saving value of an all-inclusive bracelet instead of purchasing individual ride tickets.

  7. Avoid Parking Costs

    Image source: chastainparkblog.files.wordpress.com

    For many people, attending their community’s fireworks is the highlight of the holiday. Although cities spend thousands of dollars to put on their displays, admission to the viewing location is often free.

    Parking, however, can be a different story. One of the best ways to save is to arrive early; you may be able to snag a free spot on the street or in a public lot. If that’s not an option, consider carpooling with friends so everyone can split the parking cost. Taking public transportation may also be cheaper than paying for parking.

    Of course, the easiest way to save on parking costs is to skip the crowds entirely and watch a fireworks display online.

Have you gained any new ideas for how to hold a memorable Fourth of July celebration that comes in under budget? There’s nothing like a free fireworks display, so that’s where I plan to be this Independence Day. Leave your money-saving celebration tips below, and please be sure to share this article with your fun-loving friends.

Tweet
Pin36
Share234
270 Shares

Related Posts

  • diy fourth of july party decorations
    Host a Festive and Frugal Fourth of July Party

    A patriotic party on a budget? Why not? Festive and frugal parties are The Budget…

  • edible centerpiece
    Fourth Of July Centerpiece

    Happy Fourth of July! Looking for an "instant" & inexpensive patriotic centerpiece for your Fourth…

  • frugal living
    Frugal Wisdom

      Trying to live a frugal lifestyle? Print this frugal quote from Dave Ramsey. Frame…

Filed Under: Budgeting, Fourth of July

Must Read

7 Ways to Stow Your Stuff on a Limited Space

How I made $62,430 – Ebates

Leave a Reply

  Subscribe  
Notify of

Primary Sidebar

Search

Popular Posts

How to Save Money – 98 Ways to Cut Your Spending by $400 a Month!How to Save Money – 98 Ways to Cut Your Spending by $400 a Month!1M Total Shares
How To Make Oreo Balls Cookie Recipe | No BakeHow To Make Oreo Balls Cookie Recipe | No Bake363K Total Shares
The Cheese Dip That Will Make You Famous!The Cheese Dip That Will Make You Famous!103K Total Shares
How to Tint Bottles and JarsHow to Tint Bottles and Jars70K Total Shares
White Texas Sheet Cake RecipeWhite Texas Sheet Cake Recipe42K Total Shares

Footer

The Budget Diet is all about showing you budget friendly yummy recipes and life hacks that shrinks your budget and earns you money. It’s not just a diet for your wallet…but for your waistline too.

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor
  • Advertise
  • Free Newsletter
  • Home Decor
  • Organize My Life
  • Parties
  • Seasonal
  • Back to School
  • Christmas
  • Father’s Day
  • Fourth of July
  • Halloween
  • Mother’s Day
  • Summer
  • Thanksgiving
  • Electronics
  • Smart Life
  • Baby / Children
  • Books
  • Cars
  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Health & Beauty
  • Home & Garden
  • Homemade Gifts
  • Pets
  • Travel
  • Utility Bills
  • Weddings
  • Weekly Challenge

Copyright © 2023 The Budget Diet · The Budget Diet LLC
Made with in Seattle

  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • CCPA Information
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us
wpDiscuz