Saving money on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating all the good things in our lives. It is a day of excesses and if you are not careful, it can be a real budget buster. You don’t need to overspend to have a wonderful Thanksgiving. The meal is the center of the day and it should be something that everyone enjoys. Here are a few tips to help you save money on the Thanksgiving meal.

The first thing to remember is that you are not in this alone. For most people, there will be guests. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with the food. If your guests are not great in the culinary department you can assign them to take care of things like condiments, bread or just making a monetary donation to the meal. Some people may not feel comfortable asking family and friends for financial help with the Thanksgiving meal but if it is going to put a financial strain on your budget, it is time to swallow your pride and let others chip in. You may be surprised at how understanding everyone is.

Create your menu

You can wait for the last minute to plan your side dishes to see what actually goes on sale but for many people, there are traditional dishes that they will have every year. Make a list of the items that you need to create your meal. You don’t have to get all the items in one shopping trip but if you keep the list and cross off the items that you purchase, you will stick to your menu and not go astray.

Start your planning early

By watching the sales in the weeks coming up to the holiday, it is easier to find the best deals. Any of the components of the meal that don’t have to be fresh, can and should be purchased ahead of time. These can include the ingredients for homemade pie crust or the frozen pie crusts already made. Try to match the sales with coupons. You can combine store sales and coupons with manufacturer’s coupons for double savings.

Have a plan

Don’t wait until the last minute and just start throwing things into your shopping cart. This is the sure way to overspend. Bring the list with you to the store and stick to that list as much as possible.

The largest purchase for Thanksgiving is the turkey. This is the one item that usually is definitely cheapest the closer you get to Thanksgiving. Don’t limit yourself to just one store. Check the sales flyers and the Internet for all the stores in your area. Comparing prices can save you a bundle. If you are really watching the pennies, go with a frozen turkey and the store brand is the most likely to be the lowest in price. If there is an off-price grocery store like Aldi’s in your area check out their prices. Often they are cheapest overall for not just the turkey but for many of the vegetables and other items you will need.

Keeping the cost of Thanksgiving under control takes a little more time and work. Use all the cost cutting strategies that you have at your disposal. Clip coupons, check the sales flyers and don’t fall victim to impulse shopping. These will all help you save money on your Thanksgiving meal.