If you’re planning a big game party this Sunday, you’re not alone. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, 45 million people will host a party for the big game. Jeanette Pavini, savings expert for Coupons.com, the digital coupons app and website run by Quotient Technology Inc. (NYSE: QUOT), offers a winning plan to creating a game party buffet for under $40.

“People will spend hundreds of dollars this Sunday hosting big game parties,” says Pavini. “People have a lot more control over their grocery budget than they realize. Using these simple tips combined with coupons and smart shopping strategies, shoppers can save a great deal of money and throw an amazing party this weekend.”

  • Loyalty cards: Most grocery stores offer free loyalty cards to shoppers. Make sure you sign up before you shop to save on any specials the store is offering. You will be amazed at how doing this one thing can slash your bill.
  • Plan ahead: For big game parties, you want to have a variety of food that doesn’t need to stay warm. Create your menu around items that are on sale at your grocery store.
  • Use social media: Take advantage of your favorite food brands social media feeds to find special offers and coupons. Use apps, such as Coupons.com to save coupons directly to your loyalty account. Combining store sales and coupons is a winning combination.
  • Not in stock? If an item you need is out of stock, don’t be shy. Ask the manager to call another store to see if they have it and can hold it for you so that you can get the sale price.

To save money on alcohol and decorations this weekend, follow these simple tips:

  • Serve drinks: Make your own iced tea and other non-alcoholic beverages. Asks guests to bring their own liquor.
  • Don’t buy bottled water: Fill pitchers with water and have handy tumblers ready with guests’ names written on the side.
  • Decorate with fun, big game desserts: Make simple sheet cakes and create a football field. Or make Rice Krispy Treats in the shape of footballs. Try using red, white and blue food coloring if you’re a Patriot’s fan and use green, grey and white if you’re an Eagles fan.
  • Get clever with coasters: Don’t ruin your furniture by guests placing their drinks on unprotected surfaces. Buy a small patch of Astroturf at your local hardware store and cut into square coasters.

Using these tips and combining them with coupons from Coupons.com, Pavini has created a sample big game menu to serve 10 guests for just $401 this coming weekend.

Big Game Super Sunday Buffet

Large Taco Salad
Big bag of Tortilla Chips (Crunch them up!): $1.99
1 Large Bag of Lettuce $3.90 ($1 off with store coupon): $2.90
2 Large Avocados: $1.76
1 Bag Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese: $1.99
1 Can of Corn: $1.00

Grilled Tri Tip Sandwiches Au Jus
2.5 Pounds Tri Tip: $7.20
French Bread: $2.00
Create the Au Jus from the juice of the cooked meat

Cheeseburgers & Cheese Dogs with Pickles and Chips
2 Pounds Ground Beef: $1.98
2 Packages Hotdogs: $1.98
Hotdog Buns: $.99
Hamburger Buns: $.99
2 Packs Sliced Cheddar Cheese: $3.98
Pickles: $1.99
Chips: $3.90 ($1 off with coupon): $2.90

3 Bean Salad
2 Cans Kidney Beans
1 Can Garbanzo Beans
1 Can White Beans
Total for 4 Cans: $3.16

Football Field Cake
Cake Mix: $1.99
White Frosting (mix with green food coloring): $1.99

TOTAL COST: $40.79

Some additional snack savings for your bash:

  • Save $1 when you buy tortillas or taco shells, and two avocados
  • Save $0.75 on 14 oz. sausage link or beef frank
  • Save $1 on salad dressing
  • Save $1 on thin & crispy pizza
  • Save $0.75 on organic fresh mozzarella
  • Save $0.55 on one 13 oz. Turkey smoked sausage
  • Save $1 on two bagel chips & cream cheese dips

No matter who wins, you’ll have a game party to remember. To start saving, visit Coupons.com or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

About Quotient Technology Inc.

Quotient Technology Inc. (NYSE: QUOT) is a leading digital promotions, media and analytics company that delivers personalized digital coupons and ads—informed by proprietary shopper and online engagement data—to millions of shoppers daily. Our core platform, Quotient Retailer iQ™, connects to a retailer’s point-of-sale system and provides targeting and analytics for consumer packaged goods (CPGs) brands and retailers. Retailer iQ powers savings programs that reach about 40% of all U.S. households. Our distribution network also includes our Coupons.com app and website, thousands of publishing partners and, in Europe, the Shopmium mobile app. We also operate Crisp Mobile, which creates mobile ads aimed at shoppers. We serve hundreds of CPGs, such as Clorox, Procter & Gamble, General Mills and Kellogg’s, and retailers like Albertsons Companies, CVS, Dollar General, Kroger and Walgreens. Founded in 1998, Quotient is based in Mountain View, California, and has offices across the U.S., in Bangalore, India; Paris and London. Learn more at Quotient.com, and follow us on Twitter @Quotient.

Quotient, Quotient Retailer iQ, the Coupons.com logo, Grocery iQ, and Shopmium are trademarks of Quotient Technology Inc. All other marks are owned by their respective owners.

1 Prices may vary depending on your local retailer.