Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones for a satisfying meal and kick off the holiday season. If you pay current prices for your menu items, though, you could blow a chunk of your holiday budget before you even get to the pumpkin pie. Use these tips to keep your Thanksgiving festive and thrifty:
Turkey Deals
The turkey, which cost an average of about $23 in 2015, is easily the most expensive item on a traditional Thanksgiving table. If your local supermarket doesn’t participate in this type of rewards program, opt for a frozen bird. It can be significantly cheaper, and odds are your guests won’t know the difference. Check with your local supermarket—many offer them as loyalty rewards, and even allow shoppers to select the turkey for free!
Choose reusable dinnerware
Disposable cutlery, tablecloths and dinnerware simplify holiday cleanup, but the costs really add up, especially if you spring for higher end items. Save money, reduce waste and create a warm, elegant atmosphere by using cloth napkins and tablecloths as well as real flatware, glassware and dishes.
Make your own sides with store brands
Purchasing prepared gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce and desserts is convenient, but it’s also an unnecessary expense. Making your own sides, condiments and desserts is cheaper and often a lot tastier, too.
When cooking for a large Thanksgiving crowd, avoid brand name ingredients. You should be able to find substitutes that keep costs down without sacrificing flavor.
Simplify the menu
It’s tempting to get ambitious and create a Thanksgiving menu with more courses than your guests could possibly eat in a sitting. But to prevent spending your whole holiday budget on the Thanksgiving meal, skip the saffron, truffles and endless appetizers. Instead, plan a simple menu with a few hearty sides and stick with seasonal produce, such as apples, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and Brussels sprouts. These will be much more reasonably priced than imported fruits and vegetables.
Make smart Black Friday shopping decisions
Thanksgiving has also become a time to start shopping for the ensuing holidays. But Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other Thanksgiving weekend sales tend to inspire a shopping frenzy that doesn’t always result in the wisest choices. To keep your cool:
- Make a list — and a budget — to head off impulse buys.
- Compare prices online before making purchases.
- Use your credit union credit card from Thanksgiving Thursday to Cyber Monday for 0%APR for 6 months*.
- Hold off on buying toys, which tend to be cheaper during December’s first two weeks.
- Open a Holiday Savings Account and set up direct deposit for next year so you save all year long—and earn interest!
Celebrate gratitude
Be thankful for the things you have in life. Ask your guests to share their thoughts as well. Add some creative flair by asking everyone to write it down and displaying it for everyone to see in a fetching centerpiece or gratitude tree.
If you’ve been pinching your pennies and your tight wallet is stressing you out, consider skipping your loan payment to make room for extra expenses. Our Skip-a-Pay program allows you to enjoy the luxuries while still meeting your needs.
Making smarter Thanksgiving spending choices keeps dinner and shopping costs under control without putting a damper on family fun. And when the weekend is over, you’ll still have enough cash to make your winter holidays sparkle.
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* APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates, terms, and conditions may vary based on creditworthiness and qualifications and are subject to change. Refer to your MasterCard® agreement for complete details. Applicants under 21 years of age must show proof of independent means of repaying the card or have an approved cosigner over 21 years of age. Special offer available on qualified purchases up to $10,000, made 11/24/2016 through 11/28/2016. Certain restrictions may apply.
