by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: October 29, 2009   Last Updated: November 08, 2009

In this year when most families across the country are feeling the impact of the economic crisis, it is crucial for people to be budget conscious as Thanksgiving approaches. A well organized person can become a very savvy shopper who saves a significant amount of money without having to spend hours figuring out how to do so, or without having to chase all over town in order to find the savings.

Here are some simple suggestions that will make it easy to make Thanksgiving dinner a budget friendly one.

*Take advantage of coupons -

Many stores will put needed Thanksgiving dinner supplies on sale, or will have store coupons for these things. As long as the items that are on sale or for which there are coupon discounts aren't perishable, you can purchase them whenever this opportunity arises.

*Don't overlook the Dollar Stores -

Dollar Stores are regularly carrying name brand products and food staples, and the prices of the non-perishable food items at Dollar Stores is often considerably cheaper than grocery stores or even places like Walmart. Check their weekly fliers or sign up to get notices on the store websites.

*Get creative -

Instead of buying stuffing mix, save that stale bread that you planned to throw out. Toast it and use that to make your stuffing or dressing. Buy things that you can buy in advance well in advance of Thanksgiving.

If you're going to need a lot of butter, stock up. The week before Thanksgiving, it will be at least $1 more a pound than it regularly is. If you will need a lot of butter over the Christmas holidays, stock up because from just before Thanksgiving until well after the first of the year, the prices won't go down.

The same goes for purchasing sugar and flour. Prices go up higher when stores know that people will be buying a lot of these items. You can outsmart the stores by purchasing them before those prices go up.

*About the turkey -

Tradition may say that you're supposed to serve a whole turkey for Thanksgiving. Buying meat when there is a lot of bone involved is not a very cost effective way to purchase it. If you intend to use the bone or carcass to make a soup, then you can take advantage of the bone, but otherwise, you may be better off by simply buying boneless turkey breast, or by buying the several turkey breasts. Ham will also be cheaper because you get more meat for your money.

*Avoid prepared foods -

If you normally buy canned cranberry jelly or sauce, skip it. For what you paid for the a few cans, you

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>