CreditCardChaser's Guide to Fourth of July Savings

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwired – Jun 20, 2014) – The Fourth of July is a great summer holiday, because it comes right as everyone is getting sick of working in the heat. It’s a time to fire up the grill, open up the pool, and indulge in American summer traditions for a few days. However, it may be tempting to splurge on festive goodies and party items. According to CreditCardChaser.com, an online finance authority, here are a few good tips that can help to keep spending under control during the Fourth:

Don’t get carried away.

Any holiday, including the Fourth of July, has a culture of overindulgence surrounding it. Whenever there is a desire to have a real blowout, just keep perspective. The fun of the holiday comes from spending good time with friends and family, not from spending money on novelty items. Stock up in advance to save — get burgers and hotdogs when they are on sale and freeze them. As for accessories, here’s a useful trick — after each Fourth of July, stores will be putting all their leftover holiday goods on clearance. Grab all the plates, plasticware, tablecloths, and other items that you need for the next year. It can’t rot, and you will save big.

Use a credit card with a good rewards system.

Whether it’s taking advantage of rotating categories or picking a card with extra cash back in a category you use a lot, CreditCardChaser has cardholders covered. The savings can be significant when you use your credit wisely. Cash back cards can help you spend less, while travel rewards cards are a good avenue for preparing for that vacation you have always wanted. Check out our guides to learn more about which credit cards can help you save the most and earn the best rewards.

Keep your eyes open.

Stores will advertise Fourth of July items just before the holiday, but for the real savings you need to be ready for deals year-round. This is even more important if you happen to be traveling for the Fourth. Plane, train, and bus tickets get more expensive the closer you get to the date of travel, and some transportation companies have rewards programs that will give you loyalty points and special deals. Travel is expensive, so any savings there can go a long way to making your holiday more enjoyable. Getting early tickets is also a way to get some planning and logistics done with before the holiday rolls around.

Don’t be afraid to reach out.

Nobody wants to make their guests feel uncomfortable by asking them for money. However, if you ask them to contribute to the party in some material way, that will both make them feel important and welcome and save you some money. For example, by asking people to bring in a special food, you can cut back on your own food purchases while having a more inclusive and communal party. This is especially fun if there are people from a variety of backgrounds attending — you can ask them to bring in some particular food they like for warm weather, and then everyone can experience some new foods. This will make people feel like they are contributing to the party and lets them show off their foods, and it is much less rude than asking for money at the door. It will be a way to save money that adds a lot to the experience of the party itself.

The most important part of saving is self-awareness. As long as you can stay aware and in control of your spending, you can get away with a great holiday celebration without breaking the bank. Let us at CreditCardChaser find the best credit deals for you — we can recommend different options for your situation. That way, you can just relax and have a good time with friends.

About Credit Card Chaser:

Credit Card Chaser is an authority credit card site that offers innovative comparison tools, reviews, calculators, and reports to help consumers find the best credit card for them.