Thanksgiving is a week away, are you ready? Make the menu, check the cupboards and pantry for what you have and what you need. Make the shopping list, and make this weekend a grocery/stock-up weekend!
This year, the expense can be a bigger strain, as many of us are already struggling with higher prices on groceries and just about everything else. These tips can help you plan a Turkey Day dinner and avoid unexpected costs, but you’re on your own for dealing with Uncle Charlie’s annual serving of a slice of politics with his pumpkin pie.
- Create a realistic budget - And we mean realistic, so it’s a legit plan, not a wishing well. Writing down numbers doesn’t help if you can’t actually come up with that money. Make sure to include everything you may need beyond food, like paper goods and foil pans so you know exactly what to buy.
- Make a detailed meal plan - Having a game plan will help whether you’re hosting a huge gathering or bringing a side to a potluck for friendsgiving. Make sure your recipes fit your budget and if they don’t, replace them or scale back your plans, then make a shopping list.
- Use classic, affordable ingredients - Stores often put Thanksgiving-related items on sale this time of year, so use that to your advantage and don’t try to “elevate” things with fancy ingredients that can be expensive and don’t always make a dish better.
- Check your pantry - Before you head to the store, do a little inventory to see what you already have so you don’t need to buy more.
- Focus on quality over quantity - Americans eat more food on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year and one study finds that around $550-million worth of food will get thrown out after Turkey Day this year. So focus on serving the right amount of food for your group instead of enough to feed an army.
- Don’t buy everything at one store - All the stores will have specials, it’s up to you to shop around for the best deals for what you need. Take advantage of sales, coupons and discounts to save the most on what’s on your list.
- Plan for leftovers - They might be the best part of Thanksgiving, aside from all that quality time spent with loved ones. Have your storage containers and bags ready to go so you can store leftovers and get them all put away before you collapse into a food coma watching football.