This is great advice, some that many might want to take heed of come next Friday. I think some get caught up in the whole "Black Friday" thing and fail to realize that with a little careful planning, they could potentially save more money by actually not shopping on Black Friday.
And for those of us who are single and live in Southern California, best of luck following this advice. I purchased a house for below market in a not-so-great area because it needed major repairs (roof, drains, pipes, etc., which I budgeted for). The payments (including taxes, no PMI) on a loan with a 4% interest rate are still almost 40% of what I take home. I consider myself fortunate because I have no other debt, so I can still save for retirement and put a little aside for emergencies, but not much. Rent was even higher than my mortgage, so this made more sense, but only because I'm a DIY-er with a construction background.
A lot of years my husband and I have had to work on Thanksgiving. On the years that we don't, though, we have dinner with family, where we all bring dishes for the meal.
Something to consider is that as time goes on, you are paying in dollars that are worth considerably less due to inflation. That mortgage payment will look a lot more reasonable after a few years of inflation, even if some sources say there's no inflation. I would rather pay down high-cost non-deductible debt like car loans and credit card debt, and continue to pay the mortgage on schedule. Consider also that in high-tax states, real estate tax and mortgage interest add up to more than the standard deduction.
When hosting, I usually will cook a traditional dinner, although I have done a delicious boneless chicken breast recipe some years. I stock up on the sales that occur before Thanksgiving, plus shop Aldi for their great prices. I use coupons if they lower the price, otherwise I buy store brands. I don't buy new items for decor - instead I just shop my house. I don't use paper napkins so I have a nice amount of fabric ones that I've picked up at thrift stores through the years. Same for the table centerpiece - I have lovely items that I've bought used...I look for inspiration on Pinterest and decorating blogs on new ways to use them.
When we're guests, I still will shop frugally for the side dishes that I take along. It's smart to watch for great gas prices and fill up before travel. I don't buy new clothes for the day...rather I dress from my wardrobe.
My Thanksgivings are typically pretty intimate events, with maybe 6 people, tops. So that keeps costs down, as does our family's preference for more casual meals. We make almost everything from scratch, which saves money. But good quality ingredients are always worth it!
I keep costs down for the Thanksgiving meal by making side dishes from staples that I keep on hand for everyday cooking. Simple dishes such as deviled eggs, mom's macaroni salad, and of course "green bean casserole" are staples. I utilize the end of my garden bounty such as potatoes, onions, carrots, and brussel sprouts steamed as extra dishes.
I bake my own bread (using a bread machine) so day old bread from the freezer is used for stuffing and I make homemade 1 hour dinner rolls for the big day.
As I have two diabetics in the family, I make sugar free lemon meringue and sugar free pumpkin pie. Regular pumpkin and chocolate pies are homemade as well.
I keep turkeys in my freezer so that I don't have to purchase a turkey the week of Thanksgiving. The last turkeys that I purchased I purchased when they were on sale at Target. They were on sale for .79/lb. at Target. I stacked a carthwheel offer that gave me an additional percentage off, target and manufacturer's coupons for the other groceries and topped it of with a coupon that gave me an additional $10 off my $50 food purchase.
Last year I used this strategy to purchase all my groceries for my Thanksgiving dinner as well as an extra two turkeys. This also gave me a turkey for my Christmas dinner. All in, I spent $40.00 and fed my family for 4 days.
Fall decorations are put up in October and carry forward to Thanksgiving. I will with a coupon purchase fresh flowers. However, if I find fall leaves that are colorful they are used instead for table arrangement.
My main mantra is keep things simple. Make sure that you have plenty of wine. (yes I purchase in bulk at Costco). Enjoy the day and your family!
I've read somewhere that Memphis has either one of the highest crime rate or murder rate in the country. Yikes! And Buffalo, unless you like to shovel several feet of snow each winter. That's the fastest way to die of a heart attack. Indiana and Ohio, uh I don't think so unless you're ready to die from boredom. And isn't Ohio has some of the horrible crimes that made the national headlines? Thanks but I'll save and spend below my means.
I utilize my freezer to save money. I buy ingredients for turkey dinner ahead of time when they are on sale and I have coupons. If my guests offer to bring a dish I say yes!
I host Thanksgiving every year. To save some money, I prepare by shopping for my non-perishables early, when there is a sale or coupon. I've also learned not to buy too much pre-dinner food. Guests also always show up with a dessert, so I only make one now.
I save money at Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of the year) by making things from scratch (everything) and inviting friends and family to bring an item they are particularly proud of making. I am not a pro at pies, but my daughter is. I hate peeling potatoes, but my girlfriend makes an amazing mash. My son is the baker and loves the accolades he gets for his yeast rolls. etc. etc.
This year I'm driving 5 hours to my sister's house since she loves to prepare Thanksgiving dinner and I get to see our family. I used a gift card and ordered a smoked turkey which should arrive a day or two before. Shopping ahead using coupons and buying what's on sale, helps a lot.
This is great advice, some that many might want to take heed of come next Friday. I think some get caught up in the whole "Black Friday" thing and fail to realize that with a little careful planning, they could potentially save more money by actually not shopping on Black Friday.
And for those of us who are single and live in Southern California, best of luck following this advice. I purchased a house for below market in a not-so-great area because it needed major repairs (roof, drains, pipes, etc., which I budgeted for). The payments (including taxes, no PMI) on a loan with a 4% interest rate are still almost 40% of what I take home. I consider myself fortunate because I have no other debt, so I can still save for retirement and put a little aside for emergencies, but not much. Rent was even higher than my mortgage, so this made more sense, but only because I'm a DIY-er with a construction background.
A lot of years my husband and I have had to work on Thanksgiving. On the years that we don't, though, we have dinner with family, where we all bring dishes for the meal.
I look at the weekly grocery ads and pick out the items I need that are on sale.
Something to consider is that as time goes on, you are paying in dollars that are worth considerably less due to inflation. That mortgage payment will look a lot more reasonable after a few years of inflation, even if some sources say there's no inflation. I would rather pay down high-cost non-deductible debt like car loans and credit card debt, and continue to pay the mortgage on schedule. Consider also that in high-tax states, real estate tax and mortgage interest add up to more than the standard deduction.
My advice is to shop sales, and stack coupons when possible. Don't overlook Aldi for sales and the savings apps Checkout 51 or Ibotta.
I cook almost all of my foods from scratch. I enjoy cooking and I save money by not purchasing prepared foods.
I use coupons and shop smart.
I make a list and watch for sales.
Love The Gilmore Girls!!! Can't wait! :)
We save at Thanksgiving by shopping early and shopping deals.
When hosting, I usually will cook a traditional dinner, although I have done a delicious boneless chicken breast recipe some years. I stock up on the sales that occur before Thanksgiving, plus shop Aldi for their great prices. I use coupons if they lower the price, otherwise I buy store brands. I don't buy new items for decor - instead I just shop my house. I don't use paper napkins so I have a nice amount of fabric ones that I've picked up at thrift stores through the years. Same for the table centerpiece - I have lovely items that I've bought used...I look for inspiration on Pinterest and decorating blogs on new ways to use them.
When we're guests, I still will shop frugally for the side dishes that I take along. It's smart to watch for great gas prices and fill up before travel. I don't buy new clothes for the day...rather I dress from my wardrobe.
My Thanksgivings are typically pretty intimate events, with maybe 6 people, tops. So that keeps costs down, as does our family's preference for more casual meals. We make almost everything from scratch, which saves money. But good quality ingredients are always worth it!
I look for sale items.
I use coupons. I buy items on sale.
I keep costs down for the Thanksgiving meal by making side dishes from staples that I keep on hand for everyday cooking. Simple dishes such as deviled eggs, mom's macaroni salad, and of course "green bean casserole" are staples. I utilize the end of my garden bounty such as potatoes, onions, carrots, and brussel sprouts steamed as extra dishes.
I bake my own bread (using a bread machine) so day old bread from the freezer is used for stuffing and I make homemade 1 hour dinner rolls for the big day.
As I have two diabetics in the family, I make sugar free lemon meringue and sugar free pumpkin pie. Regular pumpkin and chocolate pies are homemade as well.
I keep turkeys in my freezer so that I don't have to purchase a turkey the week of Thanksgiving. The last turkeys that I purchased I purchased when they were on sale at Target. They were on sale for .79/lb. at Target. I stacked a carthwheel offer that gave me an additional percentage off, target and manufacturer's coupons for the other groceries and topped it of with a coupon that gave me an additional $10 off my $50 food purchase.
Last year I used this strategy to purchase all my groceries for my Thanksgiving dinner as well as an extra two turkeys. This also gave me a turkey for my Christmas dinner. All in, I spent $40.00 and fed my family for 4 days.
Fall decorations are put up in October and carry forward to Thanksgiving. I will with a coupon purchase fresh flowers. However, if I find fall leaves that are colorful they are used instead for table arrangement.
My main mantra is keep things simple. Make sure that you have plenty of wine. (yes I purchase in bulk at Costco). Enjoy the day and your family!
I've read somewhere that Memphis has either one of the highest crime rate or murder rate in the country. Yikes! And Buffalo, unless you like to shovel several feet of snow each winter. That's the fastest way to die of a heart attack. Indiana and Ohio, uh I don't think so unless you're ready to die from boredom. And isn't Ohio has some of the horrible crimes that made the national headlines? Thanks but I'll save and spend below my means.
I utilize my freezer to save money. I buy ingredients for turkey dinner ahead of time when they are on sale and I have coupons. If my guests offer to bring a dish I say yes!
We make our own food and try not to make more than we can eat.
I would suggest using coupons, and shopping sales. Also shopping at grocery stores like Aldi helps a lot.
We stick to the basics, that is what everyone wants anyway.
I host Thanksgiving every year. To save some money, I prepare by shopping for my non-perishables early, when there is a sale or coupon. I've also learned not to buy too much pre-dinner food. Guests also always show up with a dessert, so I only make one now.
I save money at Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of the year) by making things from scratch (everything) and inviting friends and family to bring an item they are particularly proud of making. I am not a pro at pies, but my daughter is. I hate peeling potatoes, but my girlfriend makes an amazing mash. My son is the baker and loves the accolades he gets for his yeast rolls. etc. etc.
My husband and I have a nice lunch out with another couple and then go home, take a nap and call it good.
This year I'm driving 5 hours to my sister's house since she loves to prepare Thanksgiving dinner and I get to see our family. I used a gift card and ordered a smoked turkey which should arrive a day or two before. Shopping ahead using coupons and buying what's on sale, helps a lot.