How To Shop Fast And Cheap For Any Party (Slideshow)

Shopping for entertaining is a completely different ball game. When planning a party, there are tons of budgeting issues to take into consideration (decorations, favors, party activities) that there is little room for error in how you shop for your party food

Everything when it comes to party planning and shopping comes down to numbers. Before you do any shopping, menu planning, or grocery list writing, make sure you have all of your RSVPs in. Knowing the exact numbers of guests you'll have will stop you from over-buying and spending too much.

Before putting together a menu, think about what your friends do and do not like to eat. If they're not big veggie eaters, skip pricey produce-based dishes and platters. If you know they prefer wine to beer, stick to buying that beverage instead of diversifying your selection. This will lead to less wasted food and wasted cash.

The last thing you should do for the efficiency of your grocery shopping is go to the grocery store and "wing it" when it comes to your menu. Browsing the aisles aimlessly will lead to impulse buying and additional add-ons that you simply don't need. Write a menu and corresponding grocery list. When you head to the store, be sure to follow it to the letter.

For "11 Secrets Supermarkets Don't Want You to Know," click here.

Know what fruits and vegetables are in season, and shop accordingly. Not only will your food be fresher taste better, but it will also save you money. Because of the basic economic laws of supply and demand, food at the peak of its production will cost considerably less than out-of-season fruits and vegetables.

To read "What's in Season: Winter Produce That Shouldn't Be Ignored," click here.

Before you head to the grocery store, make sure that you aren't buying things that you already have. Browse your pantry and fridge for party staples, such as crackers and chips, jams and salsas, and drinks. But before you rely on that bag of tortilla chips, make sure they're still fresh.

To learn how to stock your pantry for entertaining, click here.

One of the best ways to save money at the grocery store is to shop the sales. To save the most money possible, browse the circulars online or from your newspaper and compare prices at a few different grocery stores. If you're looking to save time, shop at the store that has the best deals overall on the items that you'll need. If you're looking to save money, don't be afraid to bounce around grocery stores and buy a few items at each place.

For "America's Best Grocery Stores 2017," click here.

To get in and out of the store as quickly as possible and to avoid impulse buys, go to the store by yourself. Sure, company is nice (as is having someone to help you lug all those grocery bags around), but having a shopping partner is likely to cause you to get distracted. Keep your eye on the prize and shop alone.

Shop efficiently and intelligently by "putting on your blinders." Listen to upbeat music in your headphones to avoid moseying through the aisles to the store's mid-tempo Muzak. Avoid temptation-worthy "bargains" on the endcaps and checkout aisles and stick strictly to your pre-determined list.

To read "14 Brilliant Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store," click here.

Buying frozen appetizers, pre-made deli trays, and prepared salads may seem like great shortcuts to throwing a party (and they can be!) but if you're looking to shop quickly and cheaply, these items are dangerous. Scanning the deli section or frozen aisles can lead to thoughts of "Oh, that sounds interesting. I'll try it out!" and will quickly inflate your grocery bill, since these prepared foods are particularly pricey.

If you really want to limit how much money and time you spend at the grocery store, pay with actual dollar bills instead of a debit card or credit card. Paying with paper money will keep your budget to a strict maximum and will keep you from picking up non-essential party items.