Thanksgiving is a time for good eats, spending quality time with family and taking the time to remember all the things for which you are thankful. Even though you may be determined to make Thanksgiving perfect, you don’t need to spend too much money doing so. Here are some tips that will help you plan a perfect Thanksgiving without breaking the bank.
Make a Guest List
Before you do anything, it is important to take note of all the people that will be attending your Thanksgiving feast. By doing so, you can get an idea of how much food you need to buy, so you don’t overspend or underspend on food for your guests.
BYOD – Bring Your Own Dish
Once you have an accurate headcount, you can start coordinating who will bring what. Thanksgiving is about sharing and giving back, so what better way to do so than asking your guests to bring their favorite dish. Not only does it allow your guests to share their traditions, but it also helps save you time and money.
Make a Grocery List
After you have established who is coming and what each person is bringing, you will need to start a list of the ingredients you need for the dishes you are making.
By creating a list, it will keep you on track for buying the items you actually need instead of getting sidetracked and spending money on extra items that aren’t necessary.
One reminder before going to the grocery store is to check your fridge and pantry to make sure you do not repurchase something you already have.
Make vs. Buy
Why buy pre-made items when they are more expensive and don’t taste as good? It is always better to handmake everything even if it does take a little extra time. Not only is it more meaningful, but it also tastes much better.
Compare Prices
Although your local store may seem like the best place to shop for your Thanksgiving groceries, this is not always the case. Perhaps Ralphs has a good deal on Turkeys, Vons has a good deal on vegetables and Walmart has good prices on Fall decor. Don’t shop at one store when you can shop at multiple and utilize the store’s special offers.
Shop in Advance
If you don’t have much time to go to multiple stores, it may be best to start your shopping now. Every time you go to your local grocery store between now and Thanksgiving the deals will change. Over time, you will gradually purchase the items you need during every trip to the store. By the time Thanksgiving comes around, you will be set with all the ingredients you need to start cooking.
Shop Generic
Just because you see a name brand product, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better. You’d be surprised by the quality of the generic and private selection products.
Sometimes they are name brand products but are just private-labeled. By shopping for generic brands, it is much cheaper and no one on your guest list will be able to tell the difference.
Shop for Alcohol the Smart Way
Let’s be honest, most of the time there will be alcohol served during your Thanksgiving get together, but the challenge is alcohol can get expensive.
To combat this, try getting your alcohol at Trader Joes, BevMo, or Costco. At Trader Joes, they sell Two Buck Chuck where you can get some wine for $3.99 per bottle. In addition to wine discounts, BevMo often has their five cent sale where you buy one bottle and get a second for a nickel. Last but not least, Costco has great deals on all types of alcohol year-round.
Check out your local store to see what prices they offer.
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is all about reminiscing and creating new memories with your loved ones. By following these tips, you will be able to financially prepare better for the holiday ahead.
If you need guidance with your finances for the upcoming season, feel free to give us a call at (800) 835-3400, or stop by a branch. We are here to help you on your financial journey.
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