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HELPFUL BUSINESS TIPS

Thanksgiving Savings

Thanksgiving is a great way to spend time with family, and friends. However, entertaining your guests can be expensive. Here are a few tips on how to save money so you can enjoy the holidays this year.

Tips:

  • Base your meal around one main dish. While turkey is usually the main course for Thanksgiving, many people also cook chicken or ham.  By eliminating the other dish it will save you money on groceries as well as the electrical cost needed to to cook it.

  • Staying on the topic of turkey, choose the right size turkey for the amount of guests invited to your home. Experts recommend a 12-16 lb turkey will suite 5-7 guests, a 16-20 lb turkey for 8-10 guests, and a turkey from 20-25 lbs for 11-14 guests.

  • Keep tabs on supermarket ads. Usually you will see an advertisement for free turkeys if you purchase a certain amount of items, or tally up a certain amount spent at their stores. But be cautious, you do not want to buy items you really do not need, so try to plan ahead and see if this would actually benefit you.

  • Try to coordinate the amount of side dishes needed. Have each guest bring a side dish or a dessert. This will take the burden off of you to prepare everything on time and will save you more money.  This is also a great way to learn new recipes that you came make at your next occasion.

  • There are many online sites that provide recipes for side dishes that are cheaper to make or bake. For example a pumpkin pie would be cheaper to bake than a cheesecake.  Also look into finding substitute ingredients; sometimes it is cheaper than having to purchase an ingredient that most people do not usually have on hand.

  • If you are looking to decorate your home, simply go outside. This time of year is great for colorful leaves and acorns. Create decorative displays and showcase them around your home.  Get your children involved, and they can have a fun arts and crafts project to keep them busy while you are trying to prepare for your guests.  Also, go out to farmer’s markets and look for small pumpkins and other vegetables to use for decorations. You will find great deals as well as help the local small business farmers.

So use these money saving tips and be creative. This will definitely be a holiday to remember for both you and your wallet. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!