Independence Day weekend is on the horizon! Although this year’s festivities might look a little different due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the 4th of July. We’ve got some ideas to keep the party going – and save money in the process!

1. Host a backyard barbecue

Invite family, friends, and neighbors over for a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue. Make it a patriotic potluck by supplying the burgers and brats (make sure to include some non-meat options for your vegetarian pals) and asking attendees to bring sides and desserts. For some sweet ideas, check out our list of 8 Tasty Treats for the 4th of July. Stock the cooler with ice-cold soda, sparkling water, and beer (made in the U.S.A., of course!), then up the ante with some Independence Day-themed cocktails. 

Next stop, decorations! In addition to the usual balloons and streamers, we love the idea of getting your smallest guests involved by letting them draw their own “fireworks”’ with sidewalk chalk. Finally, if any of your party-goers are musicians, ask them to bring their instruments along for a jam session. Or, load up a patriotic playlist with favorites like Born In The U.S.A. and American Girl.

Ways to Save: Before hitting the grocery store, add offers for the items on your shopping list in the Ibotta mobile app, then upload your receipt in the app to earn cash back. If you prefer curbside pickup or delivery, open the app and tap Grocery pickup & delivery on the home screen. Add cash back offers as you normally do, then place your order. You can also use Ibotta to save on alcohol purchases by adding alcohol offers in the Beer, Wine & Spirits section of the mobile app.

2. Get Outside

America is known for its boundless beauty, so what better way to honor it than getting outside and exploring? Camp near “purple mountains majesty.” Hike past “amber waves of grain.” Or bask on one of the many beaches “from sea to shining sea.” A simple stroll, a dip in the pool, or a picnic in your local park are more easy ways to spend time in America’s great outdoors this weekend.

Ways to Save: Save on essentials like sunscreen and insect repellant at the grocery store, Target, or Walmart. Stock up on shorts and tees or find the perfect new swimsuit at Ibotta partners like Forever 21, Gap, L.L. Bean, Lands’ End, or Old Navy — just tap Clothing on the home screen of the mobile app. And earn cash back on outdoor gear in the Sports & outdoors category from retailers like Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, REI, and more.

3. Indoor entertainment

After you’ve had some fun in the sun, head indoors to cool off. Summer is prime time for blockbuster films, but with most theaters still closed, many studios are making their new releases available on-demand. You can also queue up classic movies like “Independence Day,” “1776,” “Top Gun,” or “An American Tail.” Disney+ subscribers can watch the film version of the Broadway mega-hit “Hamilton,” starting on July 3. Finally, for a true 4th of July feel, check your local listings for televised and online fireworks displays!

Ways to Save: With Ibotta, you can earn cash back on entertainment subscription services like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Sling TV. Make sure you don’t go hungry on movie night by ordering dinner and drinks with DoorDash, Drizly, Grubhub, or UberEats — just tap Subscription & delivery in the mobile app!

What are you waiting for? Start with Ibotta and start earning cash back for the holiday weekend!