Apart from the holiday season at the end of the year, summertime is the ultimate entertaining season. With high school and college graduation, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and the occasional barbeque just because, you will have friends over a lot to celebrate. You may love to entertain neighbors and friends, always volunteering to host the next big party. The attention excites you. However, your wallet probably doesn’t like all that attention.
With each opportunity to entertain comes a list of demands from your finances. Volunteering to host at your house means you’re the one responsible for decorations, food, and whatever else the event requires. Are your finances prepared for that? It’s okay if they’re not. You can still do the entertaining you love! With these tips, you can learn how to entertain your guests on any kind of budget. Keep reading for some inspiration for your next celebration!
Budget Tip #1: Delegate
Just because the food and decorations are your responsibility for the party, doesn’t mean you have to pay for it all. Fulfill your responsibility by delegating instead! Contact different members invited to the party and ask them to bring something with them. If you’re the type that likes to have full control, then be specific with what you’d like each person to bring instead of letting them pick. This is a super easy way to ensure you have everything you need for the party, without breaking your bank account. If you delegate to enough people, you can leave room in your budget to splurge on something really special for the party.
Budget Tip #2: Have the Party at Home
A lot of people like to rent out space or reserve a room in a restaurant for graduation parties or other celebrations, but really this isn’t necessary. If you’re on a tight budget, choose to have the party/event in your own home rather than paying an unnecessary rental expense. Another perk to hosting the party at home is you have the ability to cook the food fresh yourself. Often times, renting a space also requires hiring a caterer to provide the meal for the occasion. A rental space may seem an easier choice, but it won’t be easier for your finances.
Budget Tip #3: Send out E-vites
Another expense easily avoided when throwing a party is the invitations. Evite invitations are not only cheaper (sometimes free) but they’re also more convenient. With paper invites, you have to collect your guests’ mailing addresses and most likely make a stop at the post office for a roll of stamps. Instead of calling everyone up to ensure you have their correct mailing address, opt for email addresses instead. Email addresses are often easily obtained through people’s social media pages – so convenient! Another plus when using email addresses is that your email notifies you immediately if an email was incorrect. You can quickly determine the incorrect address and fix the issue. If you accidentally make a mistake when writing a mailing address or have the wrong address altogether, you may never know! This could result in an upset family member or friend that assumes they weren’t invited. Save both money and hassle with online invitations!
Good Life Financial Advisors of NOVA wants your family to have the best summer yet. Whether you’re budgeting for vacation or your child is graduating from high school, we can help plan for what comes next! Schedule a time to meet with us today!
