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SALT LAKE CITY -- You have eight days to finish your Fourth of July plans. But since the economy is down, many people may be thinking of scaling back on their festivities. There are ways to celebrate the Fourth on the cheap.
One Salt Lake man told us, "We have the family over for breakfast and watch Wimbledon." I guess nothing says "America's birthday" like British tennis.
But, with money being tight, are people still planning to do what they normally do, like buying fireworks? It depends on who you ask.
One woman said, "Probably not. I just like to watch the shows they (her city) put on." Another Salt Lake man said, "We might buy some of those, but nothing illegal."
Fireworks could be cheap this year
Luckily for customers, fireworks companies are planning on people spending less.
Joee Witter with Phantom Fireworks said, "This year more than ever you're going to have companies like ourselves that are offering extra specials due to the economy, where you have some ‘Buy one get one free' items as well as some ‘Buy one get two free' items."
Witter says if people can't afford a lot for Apache Firedances and Volcanic Vortexes, they can get together with their neighbors, plan one big firework block party and split the expenses.
"By combining their budgets, they can get a better value for their money, and everybody is going to be watching it at the same time anyway," she said.
Use the griddle instead of the grill
If you want to save money on your Fourth of July family meal, plan a breakfast instead of lunch or dinner.
Matt Caputo with Tony Caputo's Market and Deli said, "Your eggs and breakfast foods made mostly from flour, like pancakes and stuff like that, are definitely going to be cheaper than your proteins, like steak."
Caputo says one item that's always a hit at his family gatherings is bruschetta, or barbecued bread.
"Barbecued bread is literally just nice, crusty French or Italian bread, brush on, liberally some olive oil, a little sea salt and just grill it. It's that simple," he said.
But if you really want to grill up some meat this Fourth of July, Caputo says short ribs, flank steak and shoulder are cheaper than rib eye or tenderloin and can still be very good.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
