Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

8 Ways to Save at Your Summer BBQ

Personal Finances 4 min read
Grilling at summer weekend

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

In the South, we take barbecues seriously—whether it’s smoking a whole hog or grilling franks with the family. And with the warm weather, it’s even harder to resist firing up the grill for a feast, but you’ll get more out of each party if you find ways to save a few bucks each time.

1. Invest in your equipment

It’s important to find the grill that’s right for you. If you’re a tailgater on the move, it’s better to grab a simple but reliable charcoal grill. If you plan on entertaining a lot and have plenty of space at your home, a gas grill is a great long-term option. No matter what type of grill you choose, maintenance is key and you’ll need to clean it regularly to make it last. Be sure to remove charcoal ashes after they cool and wipe up any spills to prevent corrosion.

2. Use fuel wisely

Both propane and charcoal can burn up money as quickly as they burn your food. You only need to wait about 10 minutes after turning on a gas grill before cooking. Then, be sure to close the tank as soon as you finish. For charcoal grills, there’s no need to overdo it. You will only need about 3 pounds of charcoal to serve 4-6 people and you’ll just need 15 minutes to preheat before grilling.

3. Get the most out of meat

If you plan on grilling a lot this summer, buy your meat in bulk from a wholesaler like Costco or BJ’s. Then separate the meat into portioned bags (labeled appropriately) and throw them in the freezer for later meals. To save on fuel costs, try grilling more meat at the same time. There are great ways to reheat and reinvent the leftovers in the following days.

4. Don’t forget the produce

Another way to get more out of your meat is to get some help from your produce aisle. Throw some corn cobs on the grill for a hearty side dish, or try making shish kabobs that mix in seasonal vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini on the skewers so you use less meat per person.

5. Buy local

If you love your local famers’ market, buy meats and produce that are in season from neighborhood vendors. It will save you some cash and guarantee a fresh meal and healthier community. Live near the coast? Seasonal seafood can be a great alternative to the usual slabs of beef.

6. Make your marinades

It’s easy to get excited about a new dish and buy the fanciest marinades to spice up your meat. But you can save a lot of money (and develop your cooking skills) by creating your own flavors. Pull together ingredients lying around the kitchen such as lemon juice, vinegar, and pepper. There are also plenty of easy dry rub recipes available online to help you experiment.

7. Get a little help from your friends

Your guests may ask if they can bring anything to the party. Don’t be afraid to take them up on this offer! Have your friends bring their own drinks to help you save money and ensure that everyone has a beverage they prefer.

8. Ditch the paper plates

You may not want to break out the fine china for a backyard shindig but disposable paper plates can easily add up. Instead of restocking for every get-together, try using stronger plastic plates that can be washed and reused. Plus, it’s better for the environment.

Know any other great money-saving tips for backyard barbecues? Share them on First Bank’s Facebook page.

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Banks With Stress-Free Checking Accounts By switching to a bank with stress-free checking accounts, you can worry less about your finances. At First Bank, we offer stress-free checking accounts to make your personal banking experience as easy as possible. Types of Checking Accounts at First Bank First Bank offers five different checking accounts. Take a look at our account options below: Everywhere Checking—this is our basic checking account that offers free, online and mobile banking, account alerts, and a credit card rewards program Everywhere Plus—this account offers the same benefits as our Everywhere Checking account in addition to earning interest on your balances Everywhere Premium—as our top-tier checking account, Everywhere Premium offers the same benefits as Everywhere Checking, plus free membership checks and an unlimited number of free non-First Bank ATM withdrawals Campus Checking—our stress-free student checking account has no monthly fees and offers eight free, out-of-network ATM transactions Senior Checking—seniors 55 and older can qualify for no monthly fees and earn rewards on everyday purchases with an eligible First Bank credit card Checking Account Benefits Whether you need a basic checking account or a premium checking account with rewards, First Bank can help you figure out the best option for your finances. Take a look at some of the benefits First Bank offers with our stress-free checking accounts. By meeting minimal requirements, you won’t incur any First Bank fees for things like: Online or mobile banking Account activity alerts Monthly paper or electronic statements Automated online bill paying We even offer ways of dodging monthly maintenance fees simply by meeting certain requirements. Additionally, depending on which of our five stress-free checking accounts you decide to open, you can avoid fees for things like ATM transactions and check ordering while earning interest on minimal balance requirements. Visit First Bank Today Visit your local First Bank and open up a stress-free checking account today or visit us online for other financial resources. While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. While First Bank does not charge for Alerts, check with your mobile service provider for web access or text messaging fees. Account holders may avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee by meeting any of the requirements listed in the Keep 3 min read
Banks in North Carolina Did you know there are more than 100 First Bank locations in North Carolina? It’s true. You can find us in over 60 cities, mountains to coast. Did you know we’re one of the oldest banks in North Carolina? Yup, our roots date back to 1935 in the town of Troy, North Carolina. Did you know we’re a full-service bank? We sure are. We have checking and savings accounts for personal and business use, credit cards, loans of all types, business merchant services, insurance, mortgages, wealth management, and more. Of all the banks in North Carolina, we are confident you won’t find the personal level of customer service, complete selection of services, and convenient array of locations that you’ll find with First Bank. We take advantage of technology to bring our customers the added convenience of online, mobile, and digital banking services to enhance the First Bank experience.* We even connect with our customers through our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels! Not Like the Other Banks in North Carolina You’re likely to find three types of banks in North Carolina. First, you’ll find the large national banks. They don’t have the capacity to get to personally know their customers and specifically cater services to those needs. The second are smaller local banks that aren’t equipped with the selection of services that bigger banks can offer. The third type of bank in North Carolina is First Bank, which offers the best of both worlds. We are small enough to provide the friendly customer service and personal care of a local bank and big enough to provide all the services and products of the bigger banks. So get to know First Bank, and we’ll be pleased to get to know you right back. 2 min read
Banks With Hassle-Free Checking Accounts If you’re like most people, you probably want a checking account with all the perks but none of the stress. First Bank has more than 100 locations throughout North Carolina and South Carolina that offer banks with hassle-free checking accounts. Checking Accounts at First Bank Here’s a breakdown of First Bank’s five personal checking accounts and what makes them hassle-free: Everywhere Checking What it is: A no-frills account to give you exactly what you need and nothing you don’t. How it’s hassle-free: Maintain either a $600 minimum balance, a $1,200 average monthly balance or make a monthly direct deposit of any amount.* Everywhere Plus What it is: A simple checking account that accumulates interest. How it’s hassle-free: Keep a $1,200 balance or an average monthly balance of $2,400.* Everywhere Premium What it is: An upper-tier account that earns interest and features additional perks. How it’s hassle-free: Maintain either a $5,000 minimum balance, an average monthly balance of $10,000 or maintain $20,000 in personal deposits or outstanding personal loans or HELOC balances.* Campus Checking What it is: A checking account for college students or those about to go to college. How it’s hassle-free: No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirement as long as the customer is under the age of 25. Senior Checking What it is: Checking account for individuals over the age of 55. How it’s hassle-free: Keep a $600 minimum or $1,200 average balance or make a direct deposit of $250 or more.* With our hassle-free checking accounts, you get online and mobile banking, paper or eStatements, online bill pay, and debit cards. You also gain access to account alerts so you can stay on top of your activity. Visit a First Bank Today Find a First Bank with hassle-free checking accounts nearest you and lose the stress today. Account holders may avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee by meeting any of the requirements listed in the Keep if Fee Free™ section of the account summary table for their account type. Other account service fees may apply as described in the Account Services Fee Schedule, also available at your local branch. Direct deposit defined as external ACH credit. Transfers from other First Bank accounts or deposits made at a 3 min read
Chalk on pavement with true and false checkboxes 5 Common Mortgage Myths Debunked While it’s important to do your research during the home-buying process, you can’t believe everything you hear. We’ll help you spot the popular mortgage myths and reveal the truth behind them. 5 min read