0% for 18 months on purchases and balance tra… Citi Simplicity® Credit Card Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Budget for a Graduation Party Taco Bar

How to · Event

How to Budget for a Graduation Party Taco Bar

Lock in your June weekend caterer early and spread out the cost without paying interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $750 before anything else
Across the 0% window $41.67/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $750 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.

June graduation weekends fill up fast, and the good backyard caterers book their dates by early spring. If you wait until May, you'll be scrambling or settling for whoever is left. Getting ahead of the timeline is the only real lever you have to keep costs from spiraling out of control.

A typical US catered taco bar runs about $750, which is a solid chunk of change to drop all at once right before summer. We can break that down so it doesn't sting your bank account, using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card and its 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening to spread the hit.

Remember that the 18-month intro window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card when those 18 months end, deferred interest will kick in on the remaining amount and cost you extra.

The steps

  1. 01

    Lock in your date now

    Call local taco trucks and drop-off caterers this week to secure your June weekend. May is too late for the good ones, and prices usually go up the longer you wait. Put down your deposit to hold the spot before their calendar fills completely.

  2. 02

    Set your headcount

    Caterers charge per head, so nail down your guest list before you sign anything. High school and college grads tend to have shifting numbers, but you need a firm count for the food order. Estimate high enough to feed everyone, but don't pay for thirty extra people who won't show.

  3. 03

    Map out the menu

    Stick to two proteins, rice, beans, and the standard salsa bar to keep costs near that $750 average. Fancy add-ons like handmade churros or extra guac add up fast per person. Ask the caterer what's included so you aren't stuck buying extra plates, napkins, and serving utensils yourself.

  4. 04

    Spread out the payments

    You can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to cover the $750 total and take advantage of the 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. If you divide that total across the 18-month window, you get about $41.67 per month. Setting up an automatic payment for that amount keeps you on track.

  5. 05

    Plan for backyard logistics

    Figure out where the taco setup goes before the caterer arrives on party day. Make sure you have enough table space, access to an outdoor outlet if they need warmers, and a clear path from the driveway. Good prep saves you from renting extra gear at the last minute.

  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 far in advance should I book a graduation caterer?

You need to lock in your date by early spring for June weekends. The best local taco trucks and caterers book up months ahead of graduation season.

Is $750 enough for a backyard taco bar?

Yes, about $750 is a typical US average for a basic catered taco bar for a moderate-sized party. That usually covers meat, tortillas, rice, beans, and basic toppings for a group of around thirty to forty people.

How does the Citi Simplicity card help me pay for this?

The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That lets you break the $750 cost into smaller monthly chunks without paying interest, as long as you pay it off before the window closes.

What happens if I don't pay off the $750 in 18 months?

If any of the balance remains when the 18 months are up, interest charges will apply to what is left. Make sure your monthly payments cover the whole amount before the deadline hits.