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Cash-in on Cranberry Sauce: Thanksgiving on a Budget
Published on 10/30/2022
If there’s one thing that can be challenging to avoid during the holiday season, it’s spending money. Between gifting, hosting events, buying decorations, and more, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve can take a toll on our wallets. If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home this year, there are many financial factors to consider when preparing for the holiday. With inflation increasing the price of groceries, it is even more important this year to pay close attention to what we are spending when shopping for our Thanksgiving feasts. Consider the following budget-friendly tips to cut your costs without cutting quality.
Plan Ahead
This tip work two-fold, as you’ll want to plan not only what you’re buying at the grocery store, but also when you are physically planning to go to the grocery store. If you wait until the day before Thanksgiving to shop, the more affordable brands of items you may need have a higher chance of being sold out, making more expensive items your only option. Boxed, canned, or frozen items should be bought as early in advance as possible. Not only does this ensure you will have what you need come Thanksgiving Day, but it will also save you from the stress of shopping last-minute.
Additionally, planning out your grocery list ensures that you do not buy anything you do not need. Sticking to a list and not wavering can save you more money than you realize in the long run.
Cut Coupons
There is no shame in cutting coupons, especially during this time of year. Plus, with many coupons digitally accessible, it is now easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for. All you need to do is create a quick google search for the item you are hoping to save on, and in seconds you’ll have deals popping up on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Propose Potluck-Style
If you’ve crunched the numbers and have concluded that you are simply unable to provide all the food for your Thanksgiving guests, propose a potluck-style meal. Have each attendee bring one side dish and focus on spending your allotted finances on a high-quality main dish. There are so many things to be thankful for, and if you’re hoping to make financial wellness part of that list, successfully hosting Thanksgiving on a budget is a great place to start. Additionally, Orlando Credit Union offers a variety of resources to help our members achieve financial wellness. To find out about the many tools we provide, head to the ‘Member Resources’ tab on our website.
Plan Ahead
This tip work two-fold, as you’ll want to plan not only what you’re buying at the grocery store, but also when you are physically planning to go to the grocery store. If you wait until the day before Thanksgiving to shop, the more affordable brands of items you may need have a higher chance of being sold out, making more expensive items your only option. Boxed, canned, or frozen items should be bought as early in advance as possible. Not only does this ensure you will have what you need come Thanksgiving Day, but it will also save you from the stress of shopping last-minute.
Additionally, planning out your grocery list ensures that you do not buy anything you do not need. Sticking to a list and not wavering can save you more money than you realize in the long run.
Cut Coupons
There is no shame in cutting coupons, especially during this time of year. Plus, with many coupons digitally accessible, it is now easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for. All you need to do is create a quick google search for the item you are hoping to save on, and in seconds you’ll have deals popping up on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Propose Potluck-Style
If you’ve crunched the numbers and have concluded that you are simply unable to provide all the food for your Thanksgiving guests, propose a potluck-style meal. Have each attendee bring one side dish and focus on spending your allotted finances on a high-quality main dish. There are so many things to be thankful for, and if you’re hoping to make financial wellness part of that list, successfully hosting Thanksgiving on a budget is a great place to start. Additionally, Orlando Credit Union offers a variety of resources to help our members achieve financial wellness. To find out about the many tools we provide, head to the ‘Member Resources’ tab on our website.