If you have experienced hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, you know how easy it is for costs to spiral out of control. According to the American Farm Bureau survey, a Thanksgiving dinner costs $48.91 for the average family, which consists of 10 people. However, that does not cover other expenses for the celebration.
As a result, according to Money Crashers, this one meal makes a big dent in an average family's monthly budget. However, there are practical ways to save money on your Thanksgiving dinner and avoid wrecking your budget.
1. Write Your Menu
A menu lets you create an accurate grocery list and helps organize your thoughts. List everything you are planning on making that day. Remember to include snacks, drinks, and appetizers on your menu.
2. Create Your Shopping List Early
It would be ideal if you started planning several weeks before the big day. It is best to start creating your shopping list, preferably before the end of October. The goal is to save money on Thanksgiving dinner, and the best way is to buy ONLY what you need for dinner.
3. Start Your Thanksgiving Shopping Early
Shopping early is one of the best ways to save money since vendors put things you need to cook and serve Thanksgiving dinner on sale two weeks before the day itself. Taking advantage of these deals in advance ensures your grocery expenses won't be astronomical.
4. Watch Out For The Big Sale
Keep an eye out for big sales, special coupons, and promotions before Thanksgiving. There are stores that offer a free turkey if you spend a certain amount of money. Moreover, pre-Thanksgiving sales are some of the best prices you will see all year.
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5. Be An Organized Shopper
Keep things incredibly organized by writing each store's list on a business-sized envelope. Tuck your coupons needed for each store inside each envelope. Attach the store's specific sales flyer on each envelope. Having a thorough and organized list will avoid impulse buying, so you can focus only on the things you need to purchase.
6. DIY Thanksgiving Decors
Often, other Thanksgiving expenses come from decorations and food table fixtures. Instead of buying napkins, you can make your own. This goes the same with your place settings. There is simply no reason to purchase expensive place settings when you have Pinterest to browse for inspiration.
7. Make Your Own Ice
To save money on your Thanksgiving feast, remember that there are items that you can simply avoid paying for, and one of them is ice. Start making your own ice now, so you can avoid spending money just to buy it on Thanksgiving Day.
8. Turn Down The Furnace
The Thanksgiving season may be a cold period, which could be unappealing to your guests during your dinner. However, there is a smart way to keep your home warm that not many are aware of. If you are baking a turkey for 3-5 hours, you will notice how it can effectively warm almost the entire home. As a result, you can turn the furnace down.
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