I love the philosophy that Valerie has over at Frugal Family Fun Blog! She believes in that life on a budget doesn’t have to mean giving up hobbies or special interests! One things we all love in the summer is picnicking! Here is a lost of Top 15 Cheap Picnic Food ideas that Valerie posted for families to have be frugal, yet have a fun and fulfilling summer together.

1. German Potato Salad: Potatoes are very inexpensive. Season boiled potatoes with white wine vinegar, olive oil, parsley, and bits of bacon. Chill overnight, and serve cold.

2. Veggies and Dip: Your best cheap options here include carrots and celery with homemade ranch dip.

3. Pasta Salad: There are all sorts of variations on this. Our favorite is the tri-colored pasta with Italian salad dressing, halved cherry tomatoes, and black olives.

4. Hot Dogs: Hot Dogs are also very inexpensive, and they are a picnic/BBQ classic.

5. Deviled Eggs: Eggs are a good, cheap source of protein, and deviled eggs are an easy picnic food to prepare.

6. Fresh Fruit: Our favorites include watermelon, apples, grapes, and strawberries.

7. Corn on the Cob: Very inexpensive. We break the cobs in half so they stretch even further. Many times the kids don’t eat an entire ear of corn.

8. Baked Beans: Beans are also a cheap food, and canned baked beans are frequently on sale during the summer months.

9. Jell-O: I have purchased Jell-O for as little as $0.25 a box. We love to make parfaits with alternating scoops of red and blue Jell-O topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

10. Iced Tea/Lemonade: Skip the soda, and opt for ice water, iced sun tea or homemade lemonade instead.

11. Rotisserie Chicken: For around $5.00, a rotisserie chicken can be a real bargain. Serve cold for a picnic, and save leftovers to make chicken salad, or stock for soup.

12. Cheese and Crackers: A store like Big Lots has good deals on chips or crackers. Opt for hard cheeses that hold up better in the heat.

13. Garden Salad: Iceberg lettuce, a diced up tomato, shredded carrots, and a sliced cucumber make for a quick, easy, and cheap garden salad. Top with red wine vinegar and olive oil.

14. BLT Sandwiches: Pack sliced bread, cooked bacon, lettuce, and sliced tomato for people to build their own BLT sandwiches.

15. Waldorf Salad: This is one of our summer time favorites.