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How to Budget for a Multi-Family Holiday Dinner

How to · Event

How to Budget for a Multi-Family Holiday Dinner

Hosting a big group is expensive, so here is a plan to spread out the cost and avoid the last-minute stress of holiday grocery prices.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $44.44/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $800 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.

A holiday dinner for the whole family is a massive task that gets pricey fast. You want to focus on the memories, not the sticker shock at the checkout line when you are buying food for a dozen people.

The secret is timing your buying to avoid the holiday price spikes. Most of these ingredients can be bought weeks early if you have the freezer space, which keeps your bank account steady while you prepare.

Remember that the 0% window is a deadline, not a gift. If you still have a balance after the 18 months are up, the bank will start charging you interest on whatever is left over.

The steps

  1. 01

    Build your menu early

    Decide exactly what you are cooking before November. Knowing your ingredients now lets you track sales flyers and buy non-perishables like baking supplies and spices when they go on sale.

  2. 02

    Buy the heavy hitters now

    Buy your frozen items, canned goods, and dry goods at least two weeks before the party. This gets the bulk of the $800 bill out of the way before the final fresh produce scramble.

  3. 03

    Use your card for the total

    The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you put the $800 on the card and pay it off in chunks of $44.44 per month over your 18-month intro window on purchases.

  4. 04

    Handle fresh items last

    Fresh produce, meat, and dairy are your only last-minute buys. Keep this list short so you only spend a small amount of cash during the busy days right before the event.

  5. 05

    Automate your payments

    Set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to cover the $44.44 each month. If you automate it, you will not have to worry about missing a deadline while you are busy hosting.

  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

Should I buy all the food at once?

Probably not. Buy non-perishables early to spread out the cost, but leave fresh meat and produce for the end. You do not want to run out of fridge space.

What happens if I miss a payment?

You might lose your promotional rate or get hit with a late fee. Always pay at least the minimum on time to keep the account in good standing.

Is it better to pay it off faster?

Yes. While you have 18 months to pay, getting it done early means you aren't carrying debt into next year's holidays. Debt is always better gone.

Can I use this for alcohol too?

You can, but be careful. Alcohol prices fluctuate, and buying too much early can tempt you to open the good stuff before the guests even arrive.