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How to Budget for a 40-Person Barbecue

How to · Event

How to Budget for a 40-Person Barbecue

Planning a catered brisket spread for forty people takes time, but locking in your order four weeks out saves you cash.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $950 before anything else
Across the 0% window $52.78/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $950 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 forty people brisket and sides usually runs around $950. The real trick to keeping that number under control isn't skimping on portions; it's the timeline. If you lock in your caterer four weeks out, you avoid last-minute rush fees and get your pick of drop-off delivery slots.

Once the date is set, you can figure out how to handle the bill without taking a hit to your monthly bank account all at once.

An intro window is a repayment timeline, not free money. If you still have a balance on the card after the 18 months are up, regular interest kicks in on whatever is left, making your barbecue a lot more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Lock in your caterer early

    Reach out to local barbecue spots at least four weeks before the event. This skips rush charges and gives the kitchen enough time to order meat in bulk. You will usually just put down a small deposit to hold the date.

  2. 02

    Finalize your head count

    Get firm RSVPs two weeks out so you do not over-order food. Brisket is heavy, so about a third of a pound of cooked meat per person usually does the job alongside sides like mac and cheese or slaw. Adjust the final order total before paying the balance.

  3. 03

    Spread out the total cost

    If you pay the $950 total using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That breaks down to $52.78 per month to clear the bill. Just set up autopay so you never miss a payment deadline.

  4. 04

    Set up the serving space

    Drop-off catering usually arrives in aluminum pans, so you need a plan to keep things warm. Grab some cheap chafing dishes and Sterno cans a week before the party. It keeps the food hot without paying the caterer for full-service staffing.

  5. 05

    Collect chip-ins early

    If friends or family offered to split the cost, ask for their share before event day. Send a quick payment request once the final bill is locked in. Use those funds directly to pay down the card balance.

  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 brisket do I need for 40 guests?

Plan on about half a pound of raw brisket per person, which cooks down to roughly a third of a pound served. With heavy sides like baked beans or cornbread, forty people will be well fed.

Is drop-off catering cheaper than full service?

Yes, drop-off service skips staffing fees for servers and bartenders. You just pay for the cooked food, delivery, and basic disposable serving trays.

When should I pay the final catering bill?

Most caterers take a deposit when you book and require the remaining balance a week or two before the event. Make sure to review the invoice for hidden delivery charges before submitting final payment.

What happens if I miss the 18-month 0% interest window?

Any balance left after 18 months starts accruing interest at the card's standard ongoing rate. Setting your monthly payments slightly above $52.78 gives you a safety cushion before the deadline.