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Tips for a Cheap Labor Day BBQ

By U.S. News & World Report

Labor Day weekend seemed to sneak up this year. In many parts of the country, the weather shows no sign of cooling down yet. If you forgot to make plans, why not host a party and celebrate? You can put together an inexpensive, easy BBQ for friends and family with a few quick steps. The ideas below will help you get started, while sticking with your budget.

Send out an evite.

No need to worry about getting an invitation in the mail at this late date. Send an email invitation through a free service like Evite or create a private event on Facebook. For anyone that doesn’t go online often, just give them an old-fashioned phone call. All of these methods are free, so you won’t be adding any pressure to your budget.

The other great thing about these online invitations is you can communicate with your guests in real-time and collaborate on the event. You’ll see right away who can attend or who has other obligations. You can also send additional messages and reminders or start group discussions. This method comes in handy when deciding what guests should bring to the party, which gets us to the next step.

Crowdsource your menu.

There’s nothing wrong with a potluck. In your group invitation, list the items that you would like party goers to bring if possible. These should be the “add-on” items, such as salads, appetizers, drinks, side dishes and desserts. When someone commits to bring something, the rest of your invited guests will see that item has been claimed (thus avoiding the “three potato salad problem”).

If you don’t have enough fuel or charcoal for the grill, you could ask one of your guests to bring some they have on hand in lieu of you buying a large supply that might not get used before the end of the summer.

Choose entrees carefully.

As the host, you should provide the menu staples for your guests. Staples can include the meats for grilling as well as a vegetarian option. You should also consider having one or two side dishes on hand, as well as condiments and non-alcoholic beverages. That way your costs can stay low, but you will have enough food available if any guests are a no-show.

A tossed salad and chips are two budget-friendly menu items. If you want to offer veggies and dip, cut up your own vegetables instead of buying the prepared platter to save money (the most frugal option yet is to use produce leftover from your own garden). In-season fruit like watermelon, which can serve a lot of people, is also an idea for a reasonably priced appetizer.

For your entrees, check your grocery store for deals. The holiday and end of summer should offer discounts on typical grilling meats. You can also make cheaper substitutions. Instead of steak, cook up hamburgers. Rather than chicken breasts, grill thighs instead (many find them to be more flavorful anyway). If you’re offering fish, ask the expert behind the counter what’s best on the grill, and avoid the pricey catch of the day. As for a vegetarian entree, try stuffed peppers or veggie skewers. Veggie burgers are always an option, as well.

Don’t forget to search and print off coupons before you head to the grocery store for potato chips, rolls, condiments or soda. And when you’re at the store, you can be flexible and pick up whatever is discounted.

Stick to simple decorations.

Since it’s the end of the summer, a season of eating outdoors, frequent parties and wedding showers, you likely already have the paper goods and decorations you’ll need. Check your own inventory before you buy anything new. Keep things simple; there’s no need to go over the top with a theme or expensive decorations. If you do need a few things, head to the dollar store. Summer items might be discounted even further as store owners try to clear shelves for incoming inventory.

The main idea for a Labor Day BBQ is to enjoy the company of your guests. With less preparation and stress, you’ll be able to relax and soak in the last days of summer.

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Tips for a Cheap Labor Day BBQ originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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