With tomorrow being Fat Tuesday, I thought it would be beneficial for you to know how to celebrate Mardi Gras on a budget. Check your local newspapers for free events and parades that are in your area. If you plan to celebrate at home with family and friends, here are a few tips to having a fun night on a budget.

If you are having a party at your house, don’t feel like you have to provide all of the food and beverages. Make it a pot-luck, and have everyone contribute. It will be less stressful for you, and you will save time and money. Don’t feel weird about asking people to help out, most of the time people want to bring something to a party anyways, so it is a win-win!

Don’t fret on having tons of decorations. Places like Party City have inexpensive decorations, but don’t go crazy and think because it’s cheap, you can buy more. Make sure you go in knowing how much you want to spend, so you don’t go over budget. Get some colorful beads, masks, and Mardi Gras color streamers and balloons and you will be good to go.

If costumes are going to be a part of your event, don’t go spending an outrageous amount of money on an outfit you probably won’t wear again. Go to a thrift store to find funky colorful clothes at great prices. Just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend on creating a Mardi Gras themed costume, doesn’t mean you can’t find great items to wear for your party.

If you are not celebrating Mardi Gras, then you are saving the most by not spending any money on another “holiday.” But if you do want to celebrate, I hope these few suggestions will help you to have a memorable celebration, without breaking the bank.