The Good Life For Less: Food Deals For Your Super Bowl Party
One of the most important elements to a successful Super Bowl party is the food! If you like to splurge, you've got more options, of course. But I always suggest going simple here -- chili, chips, salsa, dip, cheese, crackers, cookies, fruit/veggie tray.
Most of the time, making appetizers yourself is cheaper, especially if you are cooking for a big group.
Making salsa will save you money and it's healthy and easy. Click here for some recipes.
Also buy in-season fruit to save money. The cheapest and best fruit to buy in February, according to bestfruitnow.com) are mangos, grapes, and naval oranges/Cuties.
If you are having many guests -- buy in bulk! Sam's Club and Costco have great deals on chips, cheese, meatballs, etc. No membership? Get a one day pass at the door and pay an extra 10 percent upcharge on your items. However, depending on how often you go there or how much you are buying, it may be cheaper to just buy the membership.
You can pick up alcohol, beer and wine at Sam's Club even if you don't have a membership -- a great money saver for everyone.
For some of the best deals at grocery stores this week I called in the help of my co-worker and fellow deal-finder, Toby Collodora. This is what she found:
• Avocadoes: Making guacamole? Aldi has the best deal on the key ingredient this week -- 39 cents each. I know some people are skeptical of Aldi, but I've gotten some great produce from there. Just check it carefully to make sure you're getting the best quality, as you would any fresh fruit or vegetable. Runner-up: Cub, with avocadoes for 48 cents each.
• Chips: What would a party be without some kind of chip and dip situation? (Also, goes well with the guac.) I'm excited about Target's Tostitos deal this week -- Two bags of chips for $5 -- and if you buy two, you can pick up a free jar of Tostitos dip. Makes for an easy side for those who aren't into guac.
• Cheese: This is a good week to be needing cheese, which is something I seem to need for every single party food I make. Whether it's for pizzas, dips, nachos or salad, it's going to be easy to find a good deal. Both Cub and Target have Kraft for $2 for 8 ounces of shredded or brick cheese. (You will need a coupon from the back of the ad at Cub.) Walmart's got the same cheese for $1.88 and Rainbow's got Sargento cheese on sale for $1.99.
Don't want to cook that much? Here's some simple grocery picks:
• Pizza: Jack's pizza -- $1.99 at Rainbow.
• Pizza: DiGiorno 12" pizza -- $3.97 at Walmart.
• Pizza Rolls: Totinos -- 3 for $8 for the big bags at Target.
• Veggie Tray: Farmstand 40 ounce tray -- $9.98 at Cub
• Meat and Cheese Tray: Hormel's Party Tray -- $15 at Walmart (where they also have an apple and caramel dip tray for $11 that looks delicious.)
