Keep Labor Day Costs Low in Georgia
Right now, GA gas rates are running a little high. But, even if you don’t have a big budget, you don’t have to miss out on the fun of hosting a Labor Day cookout. This year, you can keep your Georgia cookout affordable and a little greener by shopping locally, choosing budget-friendly meats, and keeping the party outdoors. We have all the hot tips to keep your costs low without skimping on a good time. And we will definitely throw in some advice for natural gas savings! So, let’s get into our tips to save on Labor Day cookouts in Georgia.
Plan Outdoor Party to Save on Labor Day
Keeping the party outdoors helps cut costs. While everyone is outside, there’s no need to keep the indoors cool and crisp. So, you can turn your AC up a few degrees and save. All that body heat stays outside with your guests, too! That means the AC doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain temp settings. This keeps energy bills more manageable.
But we need to keep everyone comfortable outside. Firstly, set up some shade. Secondly, place some ice-cold drinks in a hydration station outside. Finally, plan some cooling fun like a sprinkler, water guns, or water balloons to help guests chill out.
Save on Labor Day When You Shop Local
Not only could shopping the local farmer’s markets save you money, it’s also a greener alternative. Your produce has a much shorter distance to travel, cutting down on emissions, for example. And with the many warnings about E. coli and other contaminations, local produce is a safer option this year, too. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, sweet corn, okra, squash, zucchini, and lima beans are all in season veggies you can grab.
Focus on one veggie as an entrée to cut down on costs for meat, too! Grilled eggplant served with a creamy yogurt sauce and topped with a mediterranean inspired salad is a real winner.
Check out the local farmers market in Atlanta, Augusta, or Savannah for your cookout ingredients.
Strategize to Save on Meat for Your Cookout
Beef cattle herds are down and beef prices are up almost everywhere. So, you may want to avoid burgers and steaks this year. Pork and poultry are cheaper options. Right now, whole chicken and pork shoulder are some of your best bets for lowest price per pound.
If burgers are non-negotiable, watch for manager specials and compare cost per pound of family packs with smaller packages.
Cook Outside, Save on Labor Day Cooling
When you’re planning your Labor Day cookout menu, remember that cooking outside cuts your Georgia gas usage. It also saves money on cooling your home! Your oven and stovetop generate a lot of heat. Some of that heat doesn’t do anything but warm up the house and make your AC work harder. With your natural gas stovetop, for example, about 55%-60% of the heat generated just heats up the house and not your cookware.
Stick to outdoor grills and smokers for cooking on Labor Day. Small appliances like your slow cooker are also a great energy-saving alternative to the oven and stovetop. Take this approach to Labor Day cooking and your natural gas costs will go down!
Another great way to save on natural gas is comparing natural gas suppliers to find the best plan. Check out the cheapest rates in your city today at https://www.georgiagassavings.com.