Survive your leap from the kids table and keep your first Thanksgiving as a young-adult on budget.
Are you hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner this year? For many first-timers, Thanksgiving expenses may come as a surprise. While there aren’t presents to worry about, food and entertaining costs can add up quickly.
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s more important than ever to stay on track with your Thanksgiving spending. Take a moment to consider your holiday festivities and come up with a plan that lets you celebrate without breaking your budget.
Before you hit the grocery store, here are some important tips to consider that can save you big at check out:
Overthinking Can Lead to Overspending
When you’re planning out your meal details, remember that Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company. While pricy food or store-bought decorations can be great, they’re not necessary for a special holiday dinner with your loved ones.
Instead of splurging on gourmet dishes or fancy décor, go back to basics this year and choose a few family favorite recipes and homemade decorations. Remember, classic Thanksgiving dishes are popular for a reason and simplifying your holiday can add up to major savings.
For the most economical and best results, keep your Thanksgiving meal simple.
With a few classic dishes and a limited or simple menu, you can cut out the expense of unpopular or surplus food. When you overthink your Thanksgiving meal, it’s easy to go over budget with extra food and purchases.
Sharing is Caring
The holidays are all about coming together as a family and sharing time with one another. For your Thanksgiving meal, make it a team effort by encouraging loved ones to bring side dishes and drinks.
Not only will food and drink contributions reduce your grocery bill, they are also a special way for family members and friends to share their favorite recipes. If your loved one cooks delicious casserole or bakes a fantastic pie, ask them if they can bring their signature dish on Thanksgiving.
Frequently, friends and family are happy to contribute to the meal.
Remember to check in with your guests before you hit the grocery store for your Thanksgiving dinner. You don’t want to waste money by duplicating any recipes that your guests plan to bring.
Grab Fall Coupons
When you’re planning a Thanksgiving meal, start by checking your grocery store for special deals and coupons. Frequently, your local paper or grocery store will release special coupons during the holiday season.
Be on the lookout for those money saving deals!
After you make your grocery list, double check your grocery store ad, your local paper and online coupon sites for budget friendly substitutions.
Using coupons is a great way to cut down your grocery bill without sacrificing the food your family loves.
Hosting a holiday event can be stressful, but it’s important to have fun and enjoy the day with friends and family. With our easy to follow tips, we hope your first Thanksgiving dinner at the adult table is inexpensive and stress-free.
If you are looking for more advice on staying within a budget this holiday season, visit our Quarterlife page. Also, for more one-on-one advice, you can stop by your local Delta Community branch and ask to speak to a member service representative.
Happy Turkey Day!
