by Maria Miaoulis

Created on: January 07, 2011

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday centered around one simple concept: eating of course! This day marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time of year that can burn a hole in anyone’s pocket, no matter what they celebrate. But you don’t have to skimp on traditional dishes to keep Thanksgiving affordable. I’m here to tell you it’s possible to have your cake, and eat it, too! Here are some ways to save money when buying groceries for the big day:

-Make a list:

And check it twice! Jot down everything you’ll need to prepare the feast. Doing this not only helps you stay organized - it will keep you from overlooking essential ingredients and overspending on impulse buys.

-Limit what you’ll serve:

This is not to say you’ll starve your guests. I’m referring to not buying or making more food than you’ll need. For example, instead of offering three different pies for dessert, choose one that most people will like. Or don’t present seven kinds of vegetables – go with a couple of popular varieties and leave it at that. This way you’ll keep from throwing away money on excess food that will probably go to waste.

-Ask about special store programs:

Most supermarkets run promotions during the fall months. Chains like ShopRite & Pathmark for instance give customers free turkeys, hams or lasagnas when they spend a certain amount of money in the weeks before Thanksgiving. Not too shabby, right? Do some research to learn about similar deals being offered in your area.

-Comparison shop:

Along the same lines, don’t shop at only one grocery store for your Thanksgiving meal. Perhaps there’s a sale on veggies at one market, but another features great discounts on desserts. Gather several circulars from nearby stores and scan for bargains.

-Buy canned or frozen:

Canned or frozen goods are definitely budget-friendly. But when given a choice, most prefer to buy their food fresh. Believe it or not, canned or frozen varieties are actually better – they’ve been preserved at the height of freshness and won’t spoil once you bring them home, unlike the fresh ones.

-Ask guests to pitch in:

This is an ideal way to get more bang for your buck. If your friends and family members are known for a particular dish, ask them to bring it for Thanksgiving. After all, you’ll have your hands full preparing the main attraction, be it turkey, ham or tofurkey, so going this route will ensure everyone gets what they want – your guests, a feast; you, a break from your checkbook.

With these tips in mind, go forth and cook up the best Thanksgiving meal you can, knowing it won’t break the bank.

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