Barbecues are part and parcel of July Fourth celebrations. This year, Independence Day falls on a Thursday, which means many people may take off on Friday, July 5, adding another day to celebrate with friends and family members around a spread of grilled foods.

Opportunities to entertain may abound, and that can take a toll on hosts' wallets. As the holiday approaches, individuals planning to host a barbecue may consider several tips to save money on food and supplies at the grocery store.

Hosts may ask guests to bring a side dish or beverage. Hot dogs and hamburgers may garner the bulk of the attention at the barbecue, but side dishes are necessary as well. Potato salad, mixed greens, pasta salad, chickpea salad, and other cold foods go well with traditional barbecue main courses, and asking guests to bring these along can save hosts substantial amounts of money. Guests may also bring desserts. If guests cannot bring food, ask them to bring beverages like soft drinks, iced tea, beer, or wine.

People may also be able to save money by shopping ahead of time. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts, and other summer grilling foods can be frozen and thawed out on the day of the barbecue. Buying these items, as well as beverages, in advance can help people spread out the cost of hosting, which can make it easier to manage the cost of throwing a party, particularly if the guest list is sizable.

Considering less-expensive cuts of meat may also help one's budget. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) notes that chuck cuts like flat-iron steaks and petite filets are flavorful cuts that do not cost nearly as much as rib-eyes and New York strip steaks. Hosts also can save on burgers by purchasing ground beef and creating their own patties as opposed to purchasing premade hamburgers from their grocer's meat department. The HPBA notes that chicken thighs, legs, or quarters also tend to be less expensive than chicken breasts.

Hosts may also grill up more healthy foods than typical barbecue fare. Vegetables are less expensive than meat and poultry, and there are many ways to prepare vegetables over an open flame. Grilled vegetable skewers are flavorful, and guests might appreciate some nutritious fare to counter all the less healthy items they are accustomed to eating at barbecues.

There are many ways to save money when celebrating July Fourth in the backyard. This year, hosts can celebrate to the fullest without breaking the bank.