0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases, and to… Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Budget for a Graduation Barbecue

How to · Event

How to Budget for a Graduation Barbecue

Host a great backyard graduation party for $1,200 without wrecking your monthly budget.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,200 before anything else
Across the 0% window $66.67/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,200 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Feeding a crowd to celebrate your graduate is all about timing. If you wait until the week of the party to buy everything, you'll face empty shelves and a massive bill. We need to split your list into what can sit in your pantry and what needs to be fresh.

A typical backyard bash runs about $1,200. By starting two months early and spreading the cost over a year and a half, you can pay just $66.67 a month.

Remember that this promotional rate is a temporary window, not free money. If you still have a balance on your card after the 18 months are up, the standard interest rate kicks in on whatever is left, which will quickly make your backyard party much more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Set your head count

    You can't buy food until you know how many mouths you're feeding. Send out digital invites at least six weeks before graduation. This gives you a firm RSVP list so you don't overbuy expensive meats or run out of drinks.

  2. 02

    Shop the dry goods early

    Don't wait to buy plates, napkins, cups, and decorations. Hit the wholesale clubs two months ahead of time to grab these items when they're on sale. Store them in the garage so you don't have to think about them during graduation week.

  3. 03

    Spread the cost safely

    To avoid a single $1,200 hit to your bank account, you can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. It offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. If you divide the $1,200 total by those 18 months, you only need to pay $66.67 per month to clear the debt.

  4. 04

    Pre-order the main course

    Talk to a local butcher or grocery manager three weeks before the party. Ordering bulk meat in advance often gets you a better price per pound. It also guarantees they'll have your inventory ready on the big day.

  5. 05

    Grab the fresh goods last

    Buy your buns, ice, and salad ingredients the afternoon before the barbecue. Breads get stale and ice melts, so these must wait. Keep your fridge cleared out ahead of time so you actually have room to store everything overnight.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How much food should I actually buy per person?

Plan on about half a pound of meat per adult, and a quarter-pound for kids. For sides like potato salad or mac and cheese, budget about four to six ounces per guest.

Is it cheaper to cater or cook the barbecue myself?

Cooking yourself is almost always cheaper, especially for pork shoulder or burgers. Catering saves you time but easily doubles the cost of the event.

What if I cannot pay off the balance in 18 months?

Any remaining balance after the intro period ends will start accumulating interest at the card's regular ongoing APR. Try to pay more than the minimum to clear it early.

How do I keep the food hot during the party?

Use cheap chafing dishes with Sterno candles for hot sides, and keep slow cookers plugged in on extension cords. Keep cold salads nested in bowls of ice.