Shop Cheap

So many sales, so little time before the celebrations begin. This week we are going to stick with Fourth of July fare because that's what most of the markets are advertising. There is no excuse not to have a fun and fairly frugal Fourth. Check out the prices on the fixins'  that make a great BBQ or backyard picnic.

The top 5:

Whole seedless watermelon: Most are less than $4

Buns: Don't pay more than $1 for a bag of 8.

Ball Park franks are BOGO at SaveMart and Safeway.

Tostitos are BOGO, too.

And soda ... Buy two, get three free means 60 cans of your favorite soft drinks to share with the neighbors.

The store-by-store breakdown.

SAVEMART: If you want tri-tip instead of dogs, this is the place to shop. At $2.77 a pound (in packs of two roasts), you will have enough for the adults at the party. Ribs are also a good value at $1.88 a pound. Get the Ballpark BOGO here along with charcoal for $5.99. Buns are $1 a bag and olives are $1 per can. Crystal Geyser water is $3.98 a case and all the soda bargains are available. In produce, avocados are $1 each; radishes, green onion or cilantro are 2 bunches for $1 and vine ripened tomatoes are $1.29 a pound. (Note to partygoer: sounds like a good day to bring salsa to the neighbors.) Along with a lovely Fourth of July bouquet $7.99 in the floral department.

RALEY'S/BELAIR: Here's where you grab the fresh corn (5/$1)  for the BBQ. If you opt out of burgers and dogs, Raley's has its Sutter sirloin for $2.77lb and a recipe, too. They also have ribs on sale from $1.77lb for country style to $3.97lb. for baby backs. Here's a deal: Buy a bag of charcoal ($6.99) and get free BBQ sauce. In produce, watermelon is $3.99; blueberries are $3 for a 12 oz. carton and don't forget the sliced red onions (69 cents a pound) for the salsa or the burgers. If you don't want to do burgers on buns, grab some cibatta rolls 5/$2.69. For a great snack, try YaYa's popcorn 4/$5 with some punch or lemonade at $1 a carton. Once the Fourth festivities are over, you're still going to need cereal - General Mills products are $4 off if you buy four; eggs are $2.99 for 18 and bottled water is $3.33 for a case of Raley's own brand.

SAFEWAY: Definitely the place to go for buns ($1/8 in a pack) and the BOGO items: BallPark franks; Hillshire Farm smoked sausage; Tostitos, orange juice and Dreyer's ice cream in that smaller container. If you want a more hearty sausage, try Johnsonville Brats, $2.99 with coupon. Safeway also has garlic bread for $1.99 and Arrowhead water for $3.99 a case. For a colorful table, set out some RedVines ($6.99 for a giant tub) a bowl of cherries ($3.88 a pound) and some sliced up watermelon ($3.88 each).

At the independents, Vics has seedless watermelon at $2.99 each. The pork spareribs are $1.99lb and the KC Masterpiece to slather on the ribs is $1.69. General Mills cereals (Cheerios, Rice Krispies) are $2 a box and cases of Arrowhead are $3.99.

FOODS CO.: Another one-stop market with combo packs of fresh chicken for 97-cents a pound; Bar S jumbo franks for 78-cents; packs of buns for 98 cents;  Fritos or Cheetos at 3 bags for $5 and Minute Maid fruit punch or lemonade at 98 cents. Cases of natural Spring water are $2.98 and jugs of Hawiian punch are 2/$4. In produce, grab the whole watermelon for $2.87 each; sweet white corn 3/99-cents; oranges 2lbs for 78 cents and limes 10/$1. Those delicious Lofthouse patriotic cookies are 2 packages for $5 and an 8-inch apple or pumpkin pie is $2.50.

Be safe and have fun!