Thanksgiving is a uniquely American tradition. Many families look forward to gathering around a meal and celebrating their lives with each other. Some folks on a tight budget who are planning a holiday get-together might be looking for ways to reduce the costs of their celebration. We have some suggestions that may help.
Reduce Waste
Cutting costs begins with reducing waste. This can start before you even buy anything for your Thanksgiving meal. Consider meal planning weeks in advance of the holiday. Take stock of what you have in your cupboard and refrigerator. You could label and arrange the most perishable items by date so they don’t end up ignored in the back of your fridge and go to waste. Menu planning and portion control all month will help to reduce your pre-Thanksgiving grocery bill, freeing up more cash for the holiday.
Coupons
Take advantage of coupons from grocers. Don’t forget that many grocers will price match a competing store’s coupon or advertised sale price. This could also save you multiple trips to different stores, lowering your transportation costs as well. Some stores have loyalty programs with generous welcome offers. Look for an offer or coupon for a percentage off your total purchase, and use it when you’re buying the most groceries at once for the big meal.
Other Ways To Save
If you do your holiday decorating in November, consider lowering your electric bill by using few or no lights in your holiday decorations. If you do use lights, decorate with energy-efficient LED lights and strings. Put lights and other electrical devices on an automatic timer, so you don’t have to remember to turn them off. If you’re buying a tree, consider an artificial tree that you can re-use for years to come. Use creative materials for gift wrap, such as old maps, sheet music, reusable tins, scarves or other fabrics. You’ll not only save money but also save paper and waste.
© BancorpSouth, 2019
