It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and families all over America are gearing up for Thanksgiving. This holiday is all about spending time with loved ones, being thankful for what we have, and of course, eating lots of delicious food!
If your family is anything like mine, then you know that Thanksgiving dinner can be a pretty pricey affair. Between the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, the bill can really start to add up. But never fear! I’m here to help you save some money this Thanksgiving with these eight tips.
1. Plan ahead and make a budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend on the meal and then stick to it! There’s no need to go into debt just to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.
2. Shop around for the best deals. Compare prices at your local grocery stores and see who has the best deal on turkeys. This is also a good time to stock up on pantry staples like flour, sugar, and spices that you might need for baking pies or making stuffing.
3. Buy generic brands. Turkey is turkey, no matter what brand it is. Save yourself some money by buying the store brand instead of name brands this Thanksgiving.
4. Make things from scratch. Homemade stuffing and pumpkin pies taste so much better than the stuff you get from a box—and they’re usually cheaper too!
5. Potluck it up. Ask friends and family to each bring their favorite dish to share. This way you don’t have to make (and pay for) everything yourself!
6. Use coupons! Look for coupons in your Sunday paper or online before you go shopping for groceries. You’d be surprised how much money you can save with just a few strategically placed coupons.
7. Leftovers are your friend. Don’t let all that delicious food go to waste! Send your friends and family home with leftovers or freeze them for another time.
8. Get creative with your decorating. Skip the expensive store-bought decorations and get crafty with some DIY projects instead. There are tons of great ideas online for homemade Thanksgiving decorations that will save you money and look just as good as anything you could buy in a store!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year but it can also be a very expensive holiday if you’re not careful. By following these eight tips, you can save yourself some money this Thanksgiving without sacrificing any of the fun or flavor of the holiday! Do you have any other great tips for saving money on Thanksgiving dinner? Share them in the comments below!