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How to Budget for a Graduation Party Buffet

How to · Event

How to Budget for a Graduation Party Buffet

Lock in your caterer and tent rentals before spring rush by spreading the $900 cost over 18 months with no interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $50.00/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $900 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.

Graduation season is a bottleneck. If you wait until May to book a tent and order the taco bar, you will end up with a DIY sandwich platter and everyone standing in the rain. The smart move is booking your catering and rentals by early spring before the local companies book up.

A standard open house buffet runs about $900. Instead of draining your cash right after tax season, we can split that cost into predictable monthly chunks. We do this by using a card like the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi) to buy us some time.

Remember, this 0% window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 18 months are up, the regular interest rate kicks in on whatever you still owe. Pay the $50.00 every month so you hit zero before the clock runs out.

The steps

  1. 01

    Reserve the essentials first

    Lock in your tent, tables, and caterer by late winter or early spring. These are your hard deadlines because local inventory is limited. You can adjust the final guest count and food quantities later, but you need to get your name on the calendar now.

  2. 02

    Spread the cost out

    Get the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi) to pay the deposits. This card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. By putting the $900 total on this card, you buy yourself a year and a half to pay it off without extra costs.

  3. 03

    Automate your payments

    Divide the $900 total by your 18-month window, which comes out to exactly $50.00 per month. Set up autopay for this amount immediately. It keeps you on track so you do not even have to think about the bill.

  4. 04

    Buy filler food in bulk

    You do not need to cater every single crumb. Use the caterer for the main hot dishes, then buy your drinks, chips, and fruit platters in bulk from a warehouse club the week of the party. This keeps your catering bill from creeping past that $900 mark.

  5. 05

    Skip the expensive extras

    Renting custom tablecloths or buying matching graduation-themed plates adds up fast. Stick to basic white or school colors from a local party store, or ask friends if you can borrow coolers and extra lawn chairs. Put your money into the food instead of trash.

  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

When should I book the caterer for a June graduation?

You should book by March at the latest. Graduation weekends are incredibly busy, and local caterers often hit their capacity limits early in the spring.

How much food do I actually need for an open house?

Plan for people to graze rather than eat a full meal, since they often visit multiple parties. Budgeting about $15 to $20 per person for a buffet of heavy appetizers or tacos is usually the sweet spot.

What happens if I miss a payment on the 18-month offer?

You might lose your promotional rate, and you will likely get hit with a late fee. Setting up automatic payments is the safest way to make sure this does not happen.

Can I change my guest count after paying the deposit?

Yes, most caterers let you adjust your final headcount up to two weeks before the event. Lock in the date with a deposit based on your minimum estimate, then refine the numbers later.