It is extremely
easy to spend money during the holidays with all the advertisers, family and
friends asking you to buy this or buy that. Resist the temptation to spend
money that you do not have, buy more than you need, or buy something you
probably will not use simply because it is on sale. Many times items that are
on sale are not really a bargain.
Remember the real
reason for the holiday and focus on giving and being with your family. If you
have to go shopping perform comparison shopping to see if you can find the item
for a cheaper price at another store or online.
If you love the Thanksgiving meal but do not enjoy the money
spent from your wallet, you are not alone. The added cost of decorations
and feeding family and friends can be overwhelming and full of peer pressure. Saving
money during the holidays may seem like an impossible task but saving money on
your holiday meals is not as difficult as it may seem. Here are 15 effective
ways to save money during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Plan Ahead
Avoid waiting until the day before Thanksgiving to go
shopping. Lines at the register are longer and the selection of items is
limited. Try shopping at least a week in advance or early in the morning.
Know
the Sale Cycles
Every grocery store has a sale cycle. During
the holidays turkeys, Cornish hens and other poultry go on sale in early
November. Buy your turkey or big meat items at least two to three weeks prior
to Thanksgiving to get the best deal.
Buy Sides
Early
Buy side items at least one week prior to
Thanksgiving to get the best deal. Spirits and non-perishables items such as
stuffing mix, cake mix, and other packaged items can be purchased at least a
week in advance.
Make a Budget
Create a food budget and avoid going over your budget.
Avoid going grocery shopping when you are hungry.
Create a Menu
Create a menu ahead of time and stick to it. Consider making low cost items for the menu
such as potato salad, salads, sweet potatoes, casseroles, etc. Also consider
asking guests to bring dishes.
Use a Shopping
List
Use a shopping list and stick to it. Buy items in season.
Make a list of what you need and can afford to buy. Make a list of what you
need but can’t afford to buy and ask attendees to bring those items.
Utilize Coupons
Know your prices and when items go on sale. Use coupons to save more when buying items on
sale items. Shop at stores that offer double coupons or honor competitor price
matching. Check your local
Sunday or Wednesday newspaper. Visit coupon websites, online coupon clubs, and
manufacturer websites for additional coupons.
Shop at Dollar
Stores
Buy spices and condiments at the dollar store. Use olive
oil instead of salad dressing. You can also purchase paper products.
Verify
Verify quantity and prices during checkout.
Ensure all discounts and coupons were applied to your total. It is easier to
fix errors at the store than when returning to the store later.
Make From Scratch
Make you own bread, pasta, soda, jelly,
preservatives, canned fruits, etc.
Shop Locally
Visit local farmers or farmers’ markets that sell
their food directly to customers. Purchase fruits,
vegetables, meats and deserts directly for much less than you would pay at a
grocery store. Buy meats from local farms or Omish markets. Consider buying either a
turkey or ham but not both.
Ask for Help
If you are having breakfast, brunch or dinner at your
home ask friends and family to bring a dish to help cut down on costs.
Make
Your Own Decorations
Make your own decorations or shop online to find
inexpensive decorations. Buy plastic flowers instead of fresh flowers which can
be reused. Pack and store decorations carefully to reuse next year.
Monitor Servings
Monitor the amount of leftovers each person takes especially if you
have guests that take large portions.
Save
Leftovers
Freeze leftovers, take to work for lunch or eat the
rest of the week. This will help to save money on grocery costs and eating out.
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