July 03, 2019

Hey Everyone!

Independence Day is tomorrow and EVERYBODY is having a party, and the central activity for a 4th of July party is grilling! But as anybody who has cooked for 20 or 30 people knows, it can be stressful, a lot of hard work and pretty expensive.

But you don't have to take out a small personal loan just to afford throwing a cookout for your friends and family. Today I have a few simple ideas to help 'trim the fat' off of your grilling expenses.

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Hint 1: Meat is expensive - Avoid specialty cuts.

It is a good idea to learn how to carve your own cuts. Buying large cuts of meat is usually cheaper. All you have to so is cut these into small pieces. For instance, buy whole pork loin and cut it into pork loin chops. Also, try shopping at large meat markets where you can find better deals.

Chicken is a great choice for any cookout. Inexpensive, versatile, and easy to prepare chicken is always a favorite. The secret to saving money when buying chicken is to avoid the pre-cut pieces. With a little practice you can easily cut up a whole chicken. Or, you can grill whole chickens over low, indirect heat with a little extra time. Try looking up recipes for Beer butt (or beer can) chicken. It's easy and delicious.

Whether beef for pork, ribs are an inexpensive solution to any cookout and something everyone loves. The secret to any rib is to cook it low and slow so you get tender meat and great flavor.

Give a pot luck Fourth of July party. Ask each of your guests bring a side dish, a fun dessert or snack items. Guests will enjoy showing off their culinary talents. This spreads the cost of the Fourth of July around to everyone instead of you paying for everything. And if you ask for specific items you won't have everybody bringing potato salad!

Hint 2: Bye bye fruit flies...

I go to the farmer's market every weekend for fresh produce, and rarely do I come home without a few winged passengers (fruit flies). Once home they breed and become an even bigger nuisance! This adorable apple-shaped trap looks right at home next to my fruit bowl to keep everything under control.

The kit is made by Raid, the number 1 name in pest control. You'll get 2 separate traps, and 4 lures which lasts up to 120 days total of fruit-fly-fighting power!

This is the most effective fruit fly trap around, and all you do is add WATER!

Bye bye fruit flies...get yours today!

'Go Green' Hint: Plasticware is environmental losers

Plastic plates, and even worse styrofoam plates, are environmental losers. For practically the same price you can buy biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery. Biodegradable partyware is widely available in everything from sugarcane (or bagasse), to bamboo, to naturally shed palm leaves, so there is no reason to
pollute your party with plastic.

Did you know you can buy sustainably-produced charcoal briquettes? There are several brands that produce charcoal made from recycled industrial scrap wood versus the coal dust, starch and sawdust that most briquettes are made from.

Buy all aluminum. You will certainly have tubs or coolers full of ice cold beverages. Make sure to buy pop and beer in aluminum cans and then put recycling bins right next to the coolers. Recycling plastic water bottles is good for the environment, but recycling all that aluminum will bring you 30 to 40 cents per pound, depending on where you go!