Money Management

Making the Budget Commitment

17 Ways to Entertain Affordably

1. Limit the number of guests.

2. Don’t provide alcohol.  If alcohol is necessary, consider BYOB.

3. Invite others to help host.  This will divide the work and the costs.

4. Choose a location that is free (or almost free).  Many restaurants, churches, libraries and community centers have rooms that can be used for little or no cost.

5. Utilize pot luck meals where guests contribute to the menu.

6. Use real dishes, tableware and linens instead of paying for disposable ones.

7. Use technology for ideas and instructions that can be completed easily and affordably.  Use online invitations to save on postage.  Investigate ideas for themes and menus from food sites, etc.

8. Include an “entertainment” category when budgeting so that money will be set aside ahead of time.

9. Choose food that is filling, easy to prepare and inexpensive – lasagna, spaghetti, Mexican food, soups, chilis, etc.

10.  Think of ways to use single objects for more than one purpose.  For example, let a birthday cake double as a centerpiece. 

11.  Make a cake.  A grocery store or bakery will charge LOTS of money for   something that can be made for about $4.00.  Use plain icing and small, themed toys on top when decorating it for a child’s party.

12.  Limit use of characters.  If “Dora the Explorer” is the only thing that will do, mix solid color plates and table coverings with Dora napkins and/or cups.  That will convey the theme without have to shell out money for everything that has a Dora picture on it.  Also, use Dora toys that you already have as decorations for the table/party area.

13.  Compare prices.  Using the Internet and the local phone book, check around to see what the best price is for the items you need. 

14.  Plan ahead.  Having some lead time will allow for ordering things online that might cost less than what is available locally.

15.  Use “student labor”.  Call schools to see if students are available that need credit for service hours and/or experience in the entertainment industry.  If there are cooking schools in your area, an aspiring chef might be willing to trade time and cooking for experience.  Additionally, they may have access to wholesale food distributors that lower costs.

16.  Refuse to pay for things that you can do yourself (i.e. convenience).

17. Schedule parties during “off times”.  Have a party in January when all the holiday decorations are on sale.