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Holiday Weekend Spending Alert!

By MP Dunleavey Friday July 02, 2010
This post is about spending


Holiday weekends wreak havoc with people's budgets. (Did you need another swimsuit? No. Did you buy one? Yes.) right_banner_july4

But there's particular spending hazard to beware of during the Fourth of July weekend.
  1. Yard sales?
  2. Excessive flip flop purchases?
  3. Pedicures?
  4. Tiki torches?
Guess again. Your big budget buster this weekend is as American as apple pie and fireworks. That's right...

Beer!
Starting Memorial Day weekend, beer sales start to soar, according to the 2009 Beverage Alcohol Review. Sales skyrocket to their peak during the week of July Fourth, to about $340 million.

We're not trying to be the buzz kill at your picnic—just sayin' that spending hazards lurk in funny places. So spend moderately (drink responsibly) and have a Happy Fourth!

Tell us how you're celebrating your independence.
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Written by Alison Armstrong, July 02, 2010
Just buy your beer on sale like I do :)
Written by k, July 02, 2010
I'll be packing and moving. and I'm sure I'll be having a few beers afterward :) But luckily I budgeted more for my move than I'll need so I'll have room to splurge on beer!!
Written by Amanda Steinberg (DailyWorth founder), July 02, 2010
@Alison - Nice :D

@k - AWESOME! That's what we love to hear. You deserve a beer!
Written by Bethany, July 02, 2010
We have a large family gathering, and so that no one person foots any bill, everyone contributes to a 'pot' and groceries/alcohol/etc are bought from that money.
Written by coco, July 02, 2010
I am painting (as in art!), scrap booking, swimming, and resting..no plans for spending any money other than a few groceries...beer is not on my list!!!
Written by M, July 02, 2010
Drink responsibly and buy locally. Every city has a local brewery - buy local beer! (and of course, budget for it just like all other grocery expenses.
Written by Laura, July 02, 2010
Living abroad, I miss 4th of July celebrations. Luckily, last year we were in the US celebrating with my family. This year in France, just some excellent French rosé, nice and cold! Happy 4th everyone!
Written by Monique Harris, July 02, 2010
I intend to enjoy my granddaughter and a little BBQ. Weather permitting, we'll sit by the pool and take a dip. Hopefully my adult children will join us after work. And just maybe there will be fire works near by. Happy Birthday Ameria!
Written by Daisy A, July 02, 2010
I like your weekend plans coco. I don't drink alcohol. I will do a little visiting, gardening, sewing, spend time with my dog, and walk dogs at Friends of Animal shelter for awhile. Keeping my budget on track. Have a fun safe 4th of July.
Written by Melanie, July 02, 2010
I must confess I spent about $60 on wine for the holiday weekend. That definitely was NOT in my budget for the month. Something else will have to go now to make room for it!
Written by jodi, July 02, 2010
At a huge party several years ago I passed out individual slips of paper. On each one was the name of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and one of the grievances against King. I read the first part of the Declaration aloud and then each slip holder chimed in with their signer's name and grievance. I still get comments about that. We surely want to remember why we are celebrating. Have a good 4th, beer or no beer. :)
Written by Kristina, July 02, 2010
I will be enjoying Friday afternoon and Saturday with two groups of friends. Sunday morning and all day Monday I will be working on the contracting project I picked up to supplement my income. Originally the extra income was going to pay off my credit cards but now it will be put in the bank to bulk up my emergency fund until the state of california has a budget. As of yesterday, I am making minimum wage until there is a state budget. It is so frustrating! I worked hard, I studied hard, I earned a master's, I work harder now than ever and I am going to be paid minimum wage.
Written by Christine, July 02, 2010
Sunday we'll have family over for beef bbq. There will be beer, but I don't drink it. Never tried it, can't get past the smell!
Written by Stephanie, July 02, 2010
making an extra payment on my CC to snowball its payoff. organizing art supplies to use what i have and not buy more.
Written by Kenia, July 02, 2010
mmmmm.....Beeeeer......

Happy 4th Everyone!! :)
Written by Roxanne, July 02, 2010
In the morning I will be working at a wonderful job.
Thanks to Daily Worth, I will also be snapping my budget into shape. A recent checking account snafu and Daily Worth's recent articles have enabled me to once more re-gain control.
Thanks Dail Worth!
Written by Thisiseasycash, July 02, 2010
I'll be working which is fine with me. I'm getting 13 hours at time and 1/2 and I will use the extra money to help pay down credit card debt.
Written by Annie, July 02, 2010
Recent tornado damage left me with a lot of trees and branches down. So a bonfire and BBQ seems in order!
Written by Mary Alice, July 02, 2010
What a great article and reminder. My budget won't be blown on beer but on all the food that I buy to entertain with. We will be going to our lake house for the weekend and everyone seems to make our house a gathering point. I love to cook and entertain and I certainly enjoy the comraderie and friendship but need to figure out how to spread out the food bill a bit. I did all my grocery shopping before I read this (unfortunately) but I still need to go to the liquor store to stock up on tequila for the margaritas. Maybe I will call a friend and tell *her* to bring the tequila this year! It's a start! Happy Independence Day...here is to financial freedom!
Written by Mary Alice, July 02, 2010
One more thing...
Jodi: Where did you find the names and grievances against the King? I would love to do that on Sunday (before the margaritas start flowing!)
Written by doris, July 02, 2010
Spending it as the best all American value of all - FREE. Free parades. Free city fireworks. Free beaches. Free water. Free transportation on bicycle. AND...Free to be me.
Written by cea, July 03, 2010
Potluck and fireworks with friends. Went halfsies on the bratwurst and byob so the cost stays down. I did however by four limes for the gin and tonics. Happy Fourth of July to everyone.
Written by jodi, July 03, 2010
I googled Declaration of Independence and found several sites. a good one is www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/Index.htm .
By the way, we are going to fireworks twice, one Sat nite, one Sun nite. Sunday nite is at Collbran CO, a little town in the mountains, but they always have great fireworks, and by 9:30pm it is COLD in Collbran. Happy 4th!
Written by Sarah, July 03, 2010
I am so proud of myself this holiday weekend. I completed a health assessment at work, and in turn they gave me a $50 Target giftcard. Instead of spending it on more things I don't need, I spent it on groceries! My total came to $50.19! I feel good about myself for saving money.
Written by Jen, July 04, 2010
@mary alice the Declaration of Independence IS the list of grievences, and the names are at the bottom where they all signed. Just find a copy on the internet and print it out.

Lets all try to remember that those who signed that document knew they may be signing their own death warrent, some did, and many of them lost everything they had. That is only a small part of the price that has been paid for our freedom to BBQ and drink beer all weekend.

Have a great 4th everyone!
Written by k. stone, July 04, 2010
I'm not allowed to drink yet, having just graduated basic training. I'm spending my 4th having a (I think) well-deserved day of relaxation on post at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. The army has allowed me to get in great control of my expenses-they take care of food, lodging, and clothes so I can save all my money :)
Written by Mary Alice, July 05, 2010
Thanks for the info about the Declaration of Independence. I did exactly as Jodi recommended...read the beginning and handed out slips of papers with the grievances and names of signers on it. Really gave meaning to Independence Day...and, isn't that what Daily Worth is about...looking to other things besides just consumables for happiness? I learned a lot, too...had no idea the grievances were actually part of the Declaration. @Jen: the issue came up about the signers having such courage...it was very inspirational.
Written by Amber, July 06, 2010
I was lucky enough to attend a grand pitch-in (7 8-foot tables full of food!) Thrown by my employer at the vineyard where I work. Booze was included in the celebration! Their budget was obviously much bigger than mine, so I took them up on the offer, and brought along a salad as my contribution. It was possibly the best 4th of July ever!
Written by Tabitha, July 06, 2010
We joined some friends and went grocery shopping for dinner and of course we split the bill. We did enjoy a cold pack of beer as we grilled in the backyard with fireworks in the background.
Written by MARIARogers18, July 12, 2010
The credit loans are essential for guys, which are willing to start their career. By the way, this is not hard to get a car loan.
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