With the 4th of July right around the corner you may have noticed firecracker booths popping up all over the place. This fun holiday can really leave lasting memories for your kids but a lot of the time the price of firecracker can leave you financially hurting. There is a few ways you can avoid the budget problems that the 4th of July can bring though. When it comes to fireworks there’s actually quite a few ways to maximize your savings so you can spend that extra money on supplies for your annual holiday barbeque or a family vacation. When you follow these tips you may find yourself just as excited about the holiday as the kids, which will help the entire family have a whole lot more fun during this important occasion.
1. Shop Around
Buying firecrackers can be a little bit trickier than purchasing other items. Although you do have access to these items through online stores, most firecracker transactions happen locally through the small booths on the side of the road. This can be a great way to help the local economy, but it is still important to shop around before you make your final purchases. One way to do this is to ask around your local community. Try to find out which stand has the best deals on the type of fireworks you’re interested in buying. This will lead you to a good booth without forcing you to go back and forth. However, checking out each booth in the area could be the most important way to get your money’s worth. Try to take notes after visiting each stand, when you get to the last booth you’ll know where to purchase each item. It might take some time, but it will help you make wiser decisions on your purchases while cutting down on the amount you spend. This will also help you avoid Buy 1 Get Free scams that many booths might try. It might seem great at first, but when you shop around it’ll be more apparent that they’re raising the price instead of giving you the free bundle.
2. Hit the Stands Early
If you can manage to shop early then this is your best bet. Hitting the stands early allows you to take advantage of amazing deals before the stands are picked over for the holiday. A lot of the time, stands that open up incredibly early will have their stock at a discounted price. As the 4th of July gets closer the prices of the firecrackers will raise significantly, which won’t do you any favors. Going a bit early allows you to look at the years selection and make choices based on the current deals. It will also mean you have to spend less time in lines when the last minute shoppers move in. By the time the 4th of July rolls around, the stands will be raised to their maximum price as the demand for firecrackers will be high. So, get in there early and save more money than you could have ever expected.
3. Inspect Before Buying
No one wants to get home and find out their newly purchase fireworks are damaged. With a lot of stands operating under a no return policy this could make your holiday a complete bust. Instead of trying to get in and out of the firework stand in a hurry take your time, it could save you a small fortune. There are a few clues that will let your know your fireworks aren’t going to of any use to your this holiday. Make sure there are no rips, tears or punctures in the product. This could make it a dud which is a downer after weeks of anticipating the holiday. You should also look for water damage, especially if it has been raining in your area. Another cue not to buy a product is if it looks darker in any area. If you see any of these signs ask for another one, most stands will be happy to comply and may even thank you for noticing a problem because it will look poorly on their stand if they sell bad products. You may even want to do the same if you buy unopened bundle packages, just to make sure you’ll get your money’s worth.
4. Assortment Packages
If you like to check out a lot of different styles when it comes to fireworks then a bundle pack is for you. You can actually choose from a variety of these packs that will suit everyone in the family no matter the age. Assortment packages come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure you check out each package deal you find before settling on the one you’re going to buy. These packages are usually filled with a lot of different fireworks, so you’ll get a discounted price on each item in the bundle. Of course, if the price seems a bit off then you might want to add up the prices of each individual item to see if you’re getting a poor deal. Most vendors will be honest about their prices and bundle deals will offer a small discount on each item included. The right bundles may even give you a couple of free items thrown in to sweeten the deal.
5. Buy Guaranteed Firecrackers
If you’re not a seasoned firecracker shopper or just don’t want to take a chance on the product you’re buying then you may want to stick with Guaranteed Firecrackers. These items have a no dud policy so you won’t have to worry about show time being ruined because of faulty fireworks. Sometimes, these items tend to be a bit pricier, but if you shop around you’ll get just what you need for a price that won’t leave you hurting. Some vendors will only sale Guaranteed Fireworks, so you might want to do a little research to see who is selling the best quality products. If you do happen to end up with a dud, which is very rare, then the vendor will usually offer you a refund or an exchange in order to make up for the poor product.
6. Look for Designated Areas
Droughts have been more common over the past few summers which could lead a ban on fireworks in your area. If this is the case then you should research which areas are designated for firecracker use in your area. A lot of the time there will be free spaces that offer plenty of room for families to shoot of their fireworks and enjoy other’s firecracker show. These areas usually have a heavy firefighter watch, just in case something does go wrong. Some areas won’t have a designated area as it is generally safe to let your firecrackers off in any area. However, you should always check the restrictions before partaking in the holiday festivities. A ticket for letting fireworks off in the wrong area can cost you big and if it leads to a fire you can be in a whole lot of trouble. Community sites and firecracker stands will generally have copies of the information needed to help you stay safe and have fun this holiday.
7. Enjoy Firework Display
If money is a bit tight this year, or if your area is banned from firecrackers then one simple way to enjoy the holiday is to watch a display. Most areas will hold their own firework show which can be seen all over the town for free. There’s a lot of ways you can enjoy such a display. One common way is to take a picnic to the firework stand and enjoy a snack as the display colors the sky. This will get you first hand seats to the beautiful sight and will create memories for years to come. However, you could always stay home or enjoy the display from a park. You won’t be under the fireworks but you will get to see the beautiful colors from a distance. This will also give you the opportunity to check out other displays with ease, so you won’t have to concentrate on just one show. This is great as many display programs will stagger their firecrackers so you can check out more than one show at once. Watching from home will also allow you to add your favorite patriotic music to the shows to make it even more meaningful.
8. Use Coupons
A lot of people often don’t think about using coupons when it comes to fireworks. Usually the coupons aren’t as common as coupons for groceries or basic needs. However, if you look carefully you should be able to find some to help cut down the cost of your purchase. Try to check out your local penny saver or newspaper to see if certain stands are offering special deals for coupon holders. You could also look up manufacturer’s coupons to help cut down on the cost a little. With a little research you may also find that your local stands offer their own coupons if you ask. Some will even offer a frequent shopper coupon that can be redeemed after the holiday or even when the stands open up again next year. No matter you choose to your coupons will help relieve a little bit of the financial burden that fireworks cause and you’ll feel like an excellent shopper after you add up your savings.
9. Split the Cost
If you plan on sharing the holiday with family or friends then you may want to have everyone chip in for the fireworks. Usually, it is easier to share the cost of the fireworks than to have everyone buy their own. This will eliminate having to many fireworks in the sky, which can make the show too complicated, especially for younger children. Sharing the cost allows everyone to pay a very small price for the show while still giving everyone a chance to light some of the fireworks. The more families that pitch in for the fireworks the better your show will look. You may even decide to grab one big ticket items that you normally wouldn’t be able to afford on your own. This will add a memorable touch to the show and will help create amazing memories that your kids will share with their friends.
10. After Holiday Shopping
Of course, if you want to save the most money then you may want to shop for next year early. Usually, after the holiday the stands will offer a lot of their items at a heavily discounted price. Although you might not have as great of a selection you can still stop off next year’s display at a price that will please everyone. You may have to add on to the fireworks you buy at the end of the year by the start of next summer, but you should have a great collection to start with. Try to find a try place to store your fireworks, particularly a place where moisture won’t bother them. Air tight containers are usually going to be your best option. When summer rolls around again inspect your purchases and get ready to enjoy your cheapest and most spectacular display yet.
Fireworks add a special touch to such as amazing holiday that is hard not to resist overindulging. Although, at times, purchasing fireworks might seem like a huge drain on your summer spending these tips should help decrease the amount you spend on them each year. So, now you can enjoy watching the beautiful colors in the night sky without feeling guilty about how tight your budget is going to be over the next few weeks!
