Frugal Feast - Saving money on Thanksgiving Day

Ah, the holiday season has arrived once again. Family and friends are all around, gifts are being given and received, you've gotten a little time off work, and can sense the general cheer in the air.

Those of us that have experienced a few holidays know that the cost of it all can really add up, whether its shopping for everybody on your gift list, decorating for the season, or preparing the perfect holiday dinner. Get off on a frugal foot this year by saving money on the first big gathering and meal of the season, Thanksgiving.

Here's how...

1. Score a free turkey?- Yes, it's possible! During the holiday season grocery retailers are constantly competing for loyal customers by offering great deals to lure them into the stores (Heck, we're spending tons of money there, who wouldn't want your business?). Both local and chain supermarkets have been known to offer a turkey, free of charge, if you spend a certain amount of money in their store. If they don't offer this, they may offer other mealtime goodies like savory side dishes or delicious holiday pies and desserts. Heck, it never hurts to ask, right?
2. Dine potluck style- Suggest that guests contribute a side dish, bread, dessert or beverages for the special meal and save money on food costs. Chances are, kin will be more than happy to contribute some holiday meal goodies. You can either keep record of what each party is going to prepare, or ask each guest in the invitation to avoid several of one dish. True, macaroni and cheese is delicious, but four different pans full may just be overdoing it!
3. (B.I.Y.)Bake it yourself- Skip the pre-made pies found in bakeries and supermarkets, and make your own. It's not as hard as it seems, most cans of pumpkin pie filling have a simple recipe on the label. Why stick to pumpkin? Mix it up this year, and whip up a few other desserts like cookies, cakes, and parfaits.  Homemade pies are almost always cheaper, and they taste better to boot!
4. One turkey, several meals- Buy a bigger bird than you normally would, and then slice the rest into sandwich ready portions or turkey salad.  If you do the work up front, you'll remember to use those leftovers later and save. See tip number 11 for more details.
5. Keep clipping coupons- Remember to clip and use coupons to save additional money on holiday meal groceries. Read up a few tips, tricks and secrets to clipping coupons in our article "15 tips for clipping coupons".
6. Find the best deals- Don't disregard the circulars from grocery chains you get in your mailbox as junk mail just yet. Browse and compare the circulars to find the best deals in town!  Grocers tend to pick different items to put on special, so you could find a great deal on baking essentials at one store, and a better deal for side dishes at another.  Just don't waste the savings on gas!  Do your research before you go.  Try mygrocerydeals.com to read the flyers online before you drive.
7. Have a belated meal- If you and your guests are laid-back, and don't mind breaking formalities, you can save tons by having your meal after Thanksgiving, when the surplus of Thanksgiving groceries (Canned veggies, broth, frozen turkeys, canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, etc.) go on sale.  Make it a tradition!
8. Ask guests to R.S.V.P.- Ever make enough food for all twenty you've invited, only to have eleven or twelve attend the dinner? What a waste that can create! Ask guests to R.S.V.P. so you can properly estimate the amount of food that will be needed.
9. Get a bigger bird- Ounce for ounce, the bigger turkeys are cheaper. If a 25 pound turkey for only a few guests sounds like too many leftovers, don't cook the whole thing at once, or plan for leftovers to use in other meals ( See tip #7).
10. Use Mother Nature as your interior decorator- Keep it festive for free! Why spend money on fake pinecones and leaves when you can simply walk outside and get the real thing? Although the falsies last forever, there isn't exactly a shortage on the real thing. Bonus: Having the true smell of fall lingering in your home really sets in the holiday cheer. If you, or anybody in your family has children you can decorate and keep them entertained by having them make holiday crafts to use as decor. A few fresh pine sprigs really smell terrific too. Remember to watch out for uninvited bugs!
11. Get creative with the leftovers- Get creative with leftovers and cut down your grocery costs for the next few days. Turkey can be sliced and served with cheese and Mayo on a sandwich, or chopped up with onions and celery and thrown into a vitamin-rich salad .You can also vary the ways you cook the leftovers. Cold turkey is delicious, as is turkey soup cooked in a Crockpot with a broth or sauce.  Want something hot?  Consider making a turkey pot pie or warm casserole. 
12. Don't overdo it on the sides- Why make so many side dishes, when you know there are always leftovers. Remember, that the turkey tends to be the center of the meal, and most people only have small portions of the sides. 2-3 sides of veggies or casseroles should be more than enough.
13. Farmer's market frugality- The produce at farmer's markets is sometimes cheaper and can be of better overall quality that the produce sold at supermarkets. If you are buying a significantly large amount, ask the employees of the farmer's market for an additional discount. Since they are independently run, they are more lenient on haggling, and will appreciate your business.
14. Don't forget that list!- Ever forgotten a few staple ingredients that you needed in the rush of preparing the meal, and ended up paying a heftier price at a convenience store down the road, just to get back to cooking quickly, and avoid the lines at the supermarket? Avoid spending extra cash on convenience, and remember to write a list, and bring it! Heres a few real-life examples of how much you are overcharged at a convenience store versus a grocery store.   

• Cranberry sauce - $0.99 at Grocery store, $2.49 at Convenience store
• Jarred chicken gravy- $1.99 at Grocery store, $3.79 at Convenience store ( if they even have it )
• Full size bag of marshmallows- $1.49 at Grocery store, $2.99 at Convenience store

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!