my dh is having a memorial day cook out. I don't want it to put us in the poor house. So I am wondering if anyone will share there frugal tips. I have bought ahead hotdogs when they were on sale. But that is about as far as I've gotten. Thank you in advance!!

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Is this for just your family or others? If it is for others you could always ask others to bring a dish to pass or dessert. Our family parties always do this and it works out great. There is always the option to have on invites to BYOB ( bring your own beverage). This way you don't have to provide all the soda, etc and everyone will be able to drink what they wish. I personally don't like doing that though. Watch for sales at the store for baked beans, buns (buy one get ones - buns can be frozen and thawed without anyone knowing), chips, paper plates, etc. Good luck!

to stretch chicken or even steak do kabobs...you can stretch them out by using veggies as a filler.

throw foil wrapped potatoes on the grill 45-60 min before they get there-potatoes are cheap and you can serve alot.

to fancy up burgers...make the burgers plain and make diff topping(ex:a cajun mayo)
most of us already have spices and mayo..thats alot cheaper than certain things you can add to the actual burgers.

If you can ask people to bring things...ask for slightly pricier things...let someone else make the fruit salad....or ask them to bring things you would rather not purchase-potato salad or something.

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Avoid Fruits~N~Nuts....you are what you eat!!!

Buy cheap steaks and marinate them overnight, it makes them tastier and easier to eat! Corn is good and cheap as well as pasta salad and homemade rolls.
HTH
Alana

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we always do potluck cook outs just ask for everyone to bring a dish to share..trust me nobody minds and once you do it they tend to follow suit for there cookouts. that way you can provide beverages and the meat. and don't have to worry about any sides or treats. if you have a bread store try there for buns that are cheap. not only will this save you money it will be less work for you.

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.