Posted on Monday, November 25, 2024

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Now that Thanksgiving is nearing, it’s time for holiday hosts to gather all the supplies needed to create a spectacular meal. It’s not too late for those on a budget to incorporate some of these great money-saving ideas for their Thanksgiving feast.

Today’s food expenses remain high overall, despite some holiday food price decreases. Per American Farm Bureau Federation, turkey is about 6% lower in cost, pumpkin pie mix is down 6.5%, and sweet potatoes are 26% less than last year’s price. Still, folks on tight budgets are left struggling to pay for holiday meal fixings. Here are some clever ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner:

• Skip the whole turkey. Rather, enjoy a lesser expensive substitute such as a single turkey breast, a Rotisserie chicken, or chicken pot pie. These can be equally satisfying!  
• Compare store bundles. Currently, some grocery chain stores offer package deals on holiday meals. This includes combos of meat and side dishes. When comparing bundles, pay attention to whether dessert and beverages are included.
• Read circulars and watch for deals. Use coupons and take advantage of store giveaways. Shoppers may qualify for a free ham or turkey depending upon what they spend.
• Buy in bulk. Worried about waste? Shop for bulk items with a friend. Split the cost of high-use holiday food items like butter, cream, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and desserts.
• Shop by unit price. This practice allows customers to gain the best price when comparing brands or shopping in bulk. Click here to learn more.
• Buy store brands rather than national. Store brands typically spend less money on marketing, advertising, research and development – thus they deliver cheaper products of similar quality.
• Buy in season foods. Use vegetables that are in season like butternut squash or sweet potatoes. These widely available foods are typically reasonably priced or on-sale.
• Compare make-it-yourself costs to buying it prepared. Most times you save money preparing recipes yourself. However, if a recipe requires a lot of pricey ingredients, or sales are particularly good, it may be cheaper to buy the whole pie rather than make it.
• Shop at your home first. Before going to the grocery store, take an inventory of what you already have. Rather than buy new foods, use pantry and freezer items you already own.
• Get creative. Have a little of this and a little of that in your freezer?Make unique combinations such as frozen peas and pearl onions to create one-of-a-kind dishes.
• Ask for help. Hosting and in need of assistance? Kindly ask guests to contribute by bringing appetizers, wine, or dessert. This can substantially cut your hosting expenses.
• Cut back on the menu. Limit the number of dishes you serve. This saves both time & money.
• Invite guests to arrive later. Rather than serve people all day, skip the pre-gaming and invite guests to arrive closer to dinnertime.
• Keep recipes simple. Buy what’s on sale and create your own holiday dessert using limited ingredients. For example, you can make a simple layered dessert using prepared pudding, pound cake, and whipped topping.
• Serve simple beverages. Offer simple drinks like cucumber mint water, iced tea, or lemonade. Buy economical and decent-quality boxed wine that can go a long way when serving guests.
• Freeze leftovers for the next holiday. Freeze food leftovers like pumpkin pie or turkey gravy for a future gathering. Or buy grocery items like butter when on sale, freeze it, and use it at the next holiday!

Grocery bills add up!

News stations report that a basic Thanksgiving meal for 10 is close to $60. However, it’s challenging to not exceed that amount at the grocery store to feed a crowd. Should you host this year, rather than go broke, consider clever money-saving ideas for your Thanksgiving dinner. Additionally, when visiting family or friends for the holidays, bear in mind the expenses your host may encounter, and kindly offer to contribute to the meal if you can.

Recipe idea: Looking for a quick, easy, and affordable Thanksgiving dessert? Head to amac.us/blog.