In terms of frugal living, Thanksgiving isn’t a bad holiday. There are no expensive presents to buy, no fancy decorations to purchase, and anything you do spend on food is usually worth it. Plus you and your guest may walk away with lots of leftovers that will be put to good use feeding you and your family.
Still, Thanksgiving is not without its expense. Here are some ways that you can have a frugal Thanksgiving. It is all about making smart choices.
Let’s start with the Turkey. While the turkey is usually known as the main event, it is usually the side dishes that get the real focus on the plate. But I will get to those in a moment. Don’t overbuy your turkey. A pound-and-a-half per adult person will yield plenty of leftovers.
Get a free turkey by being loyal to one particular supermarket instead of shopping around. It usually takes 350 points (dollars spent) to earn one. You can ask friends and family if they will be using their certificate (many people travel and don’t need to purchase their own turkey).
The next step up from free is the good old supermarket frozen turkey. Starting in November they will start to go on sale. Last year the least expensive price was 99 cents a pound. This year, I am seeing $1.19 a pound. Premium turkeys can be as high as $3 or $4 a pound. I’ve never had a problem with an inexpensive turkey, although it may require a little more work to brine or season.
Now on to the side dishes. You can choose inexpensive options, such as potatoes and stuffing. These are traditional anyway. If you are having a large gathering, ask each guest to bring a side dish. This way the expense of the meal gets divided up a bit, and no one family has to foot the entire bill for the meal. it also lets all of the cooks show off their signature dishes. Just make sure that there will be no duplicates, unless your gathering is really large.
It is not too early to start planning!
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
The First Thanksgiving Website
Spending the Day After Thanksgiving
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