Save BIG on backyard BBQs

From meats to sides to paper goods, the cost of firing up the grill can add up-especially when you invite friends and family to join in. Here, moneysaving pros' savvy tips to throwing a BBQ for less

Score a deal on fuel
with bulk buys

"There's no need to splurge on fancy, boutique wood chips for great-tasting fare. Kingsford charcoal briquettes give you great flavor, and they burn hot, which is just what you need. My tip: You can find them at Ace Hardware for $14 for a 16-pound bag, or pick up a bag at a warehouse club-come summer, places like Sam's Club usually sell two 20-pound bags for just $25. And don't worry if you don't use it all. As long as the bag stays dry and out of the rain, it'll keep!" -Myron Mixon, BBQ champion at MyronMixon.com

Plan a cheap meal
around store sales

"My favorite way to save while planning a BBQ is to let the bargains make up the menu. It's so much easier to build sale items into a menu than to find what you need on sale. I check the local weekly deals in my supermarket's flyer, or scan the aisles for discounts. For example, at Aldi, I look for the red 'dollars off' stickers that signify meat is about to go out of date, so prices are slashed. Plus, I'll find two $2 off stickers and save $4 off the package!" -Lexy Rogers, author of Break Bread on a Budget: Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals

Stretch your budget
with a corn bar

"When it comes to sides, you can save a lot of money and really impress guests with a corn-on-the-cob bar.