Let’s talk turkey. No matter how big or how small your gathering this year, the cost of a Thanksgiving feast adds up quickly. This year, press pause before you hit the aisle to shop and consider these ways to save money on Thanksgiving.
Plan Your Meal
Probably one of the worst things you could do this year (besides under cook your turkey) is to shop without any sort of plan. That means starting as soon as today you’ll need to begin charting a path for the biggest meal of the year. If you have multiple family members contributing to your meal this year, you may even want to consider sharing a Google doc with everyone so that you can each fill in what you’re bringing to the feast.
Avoid the Side Dish Trap
In planning all meals, it’s wise to have a main dish (protein source), two sides (usually a veggie and a fruit or grain), and a bread. Thanksgiving is a meal well known for its side dishes though. While it’s fine to flex up and add more of everyone’s favorites this time of the year, you still have to have your boundaries and set limits. Be aware of how easy it is to fall into the side dish trap. While leftovers are wonderful, you can end up wasting a lot of food and money if you’re not careful.
Shop Soon
Supply chain issues continue to abound and so for non-perishable or long lasting items like frozen turkey, it would be wise to avoid shopping at the last minute. Fresh veggies and fruits will likely need to be purchased a few days before Thanksgiving, but canned goods, boxed mixes, noodles, frozen items, and even root veggies like potatoes and sweet potatoes can be bought in advance.
Stick to One Store
This might seem a little contrary to my typical “get everything at the lowest price possible” philosophy. But, if you can, try to stick to only one store when shopping this year. Yes, certain items may be a bit cheaper at another store, but running around in circles costs money, too. Gas is expensive and your time is valuable. So realize you may save a penny or two here or there and spend a penny or two more elsewhere for Thanksgiving. Check the store ads and do a little bit of comparative store analysis to choose the right store for you.
Consider Carryout
You’re always going to save more money by cooking at home over dining out. However, holiday meals can come in at a competitive price. And family meal carryout deals still abound thanks to Covid. Be sure to carefully read descriptions as many holiday meals come prepared but not heated (we made that mistake once). And you can choose the traditional turkey meal or you could choose something off the beaten path like a Qdoba taco bar for 10. A word to the wise though – avoid ordering pizza on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. It’s the busiest night of the year for pizza. Opt for a store bought deli pizza instead. And don’t forget to check local carryout holiday meals, too!
Below are some of my favorite carryout deals:
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This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
