From firing up the grill to building a new deck, all of it will cost you more this year. Here’s how to take the inflation chill out of that summer feeling

Solar twinkle lights installed, check. BBQ grill cleaned, check. Patio cushions vacuumed, check. Basket ferns hung high from fence posts, check.

You. Are. Ready.

There’s just one problem. Pretty much everything you plan to do this BBQ and gardening season will cost you more than.

Here’s how to get that summer feeling on a budget.

BBQ costs

There are few signs that food prices will slow, which means BBQ season is about to squeeze your wallet. Try these strategies to keep your food costs in check.

Buy just enough of what’s in season: When various foods are in season, it means there is greater supply, thus prices are more competitive. If you try buying asparagus in the off-season, for example, not only do they not taste as good, but they can be double or triple the price because supply is limited. For veggies, stick to the bins at the front of the store or market, which is where the in-season inventory is typically displayed. And don’t overbuy, as this creates both food and financial waste.

Stock up on freezables when on sale: Flash-frozen meats still taste great on the BBQ, and can be less money at the till. I recommend checking the price per unit (this is the tiny label on the price tag that says $xx/unit) on all meats. Fresh or frozen, when you start doing this consistently, you’ll develop a good sense of what a high, low or average price per unit is for salmon, pork, chicken, beef and more. I highly recommend checking out your weekly flyers for what’s on sale in the meat department, and make a list of what you need (P.S.: Barbecuing doesn’t mean you must grill meat, btw. One of my favourite recipes is fire-roasted corn with feta.)

Use up those points: Not surprisingly, cashback credit cards specifically for groceries are very popular at the moment. Whether you have one of these cards or not, chances are you’re sitting on a pile of loyalty rewards that can be used toward cash or groceries. Now is the perfect time to use them up, even for wine, beer and spirits, too.

Proactive meal planning can help: make a list, check it twice, then shop. Meal planners save an average of 20 per cent on groceries by avoiding food waste, and they save precious time. Supercharge this idea with online food shopping, where you can closely manage your digital cart and compare prices easily by toggling between the windows of your selected stores.

Garden costs

Flowers, shrubs, potting soil, lumber — it will really add up this year. Map out what you want to focus on in your garden (or balcony) before heading to the garden centre. Gardens don’t have to be planted all at once, either. You can do what I have done and work on very specific aspects of your garden in stages; last year it was the overhaul of our planters and retaining wall. This year I’ve installed proper lighting and will plant a few new perennials. Spacing things out no only saves you money but also allows you to see what will and won’t work in your garden as you go. You don’t want to plant everything your heart desires, for example, only to find out that the type of soil you have won’t support the greenery and flowers you’ve selected. It may also be helpful to spend a bit of money having an expert gardener come over and tell you what’s going to work in your garden and what won’t.

Big and small outdoor construction and assembly projects

If you’re planning to invest in a new deck or another large outdoor project, gather at least three quotes before signing a contract. In my experience, construction costs can vary widely, and construction and materials costs are up considerably from previous years. Depending on your skill set (or that of your friends or family who may be helping you), you might consider DIY’ing some of the outdoor projects you have in mind. This can save big bucks if you know what you’re doing.

Patio furniture, toys and yard activities

Make a list of what you need and want for your oasis, then start hunting online for the best prices. Check out the second-hand market as well. There’s plenty posted at the moment because of spring cleaning efforts, so check out your favourite second-hand website before buying new. I actually found a water table and turtle pool for my two little ones for free.

My best advice is to budget for the expenses coming your way this summer. Take a look at everything you want to do and spend money on, then work it back into your financial plans. For example, if you’re planning to host visitors, you may want to increase your grocery and alcohol budget and cut your cable package (after the hockey playoffs, of course!). If tackling a larger construction project, save in advance and possibly raise some money for it by purging what you don’t need (I just sold $220 worth of baby gear last week). The summer will taste and feel so much better without a credit card balance looming over your shoulder.

This article was originally published in The Star. Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star.