It’s Time To Give Thanks
For these amazing tips to help you focus less on the holiday expense, and more on the time spent with loved ones.
Has the cost of groceries starting to make you dread shopping for the holidays?
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re here with tips to help you save money while planning a feast that’s still food-coma-worthy.
1. Shop Early. Not only will buying things ahead of time help you spread the expenses, but when you shop early, you can take advantage of the time by finding stores with lower prices.
Pro Tip: Retailers typically put out the things you need to cook with for Turkey Day as early as three weeks ahead of time!
2. Shop Sales. While you can’t always buy perishable items ahead of time, you can take advantage of sales ahead of the holiday. According to Reader’s Digest, there are certain items that frequently go on sale just before and after Thanksgiving:
- Spices
- Butter
- Frozen turkey
- Stuffing
- Canned foods
- Mashed potatoes
- Frozen vegetables
- Crackers
- Baking items (flour, sugar, cake mixes, etc.)
Pro Tip: Think ahead. When you find these stables on sale, fill up your pantry and plan ahead for winter holidays.
3. Turkey Time. Buying a turkey can feel like a big decision. Fresh or frozen? Whole or parts? And how big? While some hosts argue that too much turkey is better than not enough, keep in mind that big birds may not be necessary if your get-together is more intimate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that consumers waste nearly 35% of turkey meat each year. Save money by calculating how much your guests will consume.
Pro Tip: Most chefs recommend 1.5 pounds of bird per person.
4. Just Desserts. It’s tempting to pull out all the stops and bake pies and cobbler galore. But after a full turkey dinner, many guests are too full to enjoy all the sweet treats. Consider keeping desserts bite-sized to stretch your ingredients further, and let guests sample more.
Pro Tip: Set up a milk and cookie station and ask guests to bring a dozen of their favorite cookies.
5. Team Effort. Let others help! Whether you go full pot-luck or simply need to borrow a turkey platter, don’t forget to ask friends and family to pitch in. This helps everyone feel more involved, and reducing your stress and financial burden.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to take a beat and enjoy the gathering. This holiday is all about being grateful, so ignore the gravy stains and take a moment to take in the togetherness.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.