Oh, the holidays. It’s the best time of year. Some say the season starts with Halloween, others view the official kick-off as Thanksgiving. No matter your reference point, the holidays are full of fun, family, friends, and often a fourth “f”: financial stress. Sometimes we overspend for Thanksgiving and then continue the trend into Christmas, and by New Year’s, we’re regretting some of the financial decisions we made over what’s supposed to be a joyous time of year.
Start your holiday season off right by planning for your Thanksgiving. (If you already went overboard on Halloween, here’s a chance to make up for it and set yourself back up for success!):
– Planning is key – The earlier you start, the better. Plan out your menu, who your guests will be, any decorations you might want, and shop around well ahead of time, especially for those non-perishable items. If you are traveling to someone else’s place, buy your plane/train tickets early to get the best prices, and if you’re driving or staying at hotels, make sure you put a budget in place and save for it.
– Have a Potluck – If you are hosting this year, make it a potluck. It can be stressful to put a whole Thanksgiving meal together yourself, not to mention time-consuming and expensive, so let others help you. You’ll not only save yourself some money, you’ll also get to experience other people’s family recipes, and let people contribute to the meal.
– Say ‘Yes’ – If you decide to host Thanksgiving and make it all yourself, don’t be afraid to accept help from others. Someone might want to bring decorations, maybe a special dessert, or wine. Every little bit helps, and people like to feel involved.
– Use that club card – If you have a warehouse club card (Costco, BJ’s, Sam’s Club, etc.), now is the time to use it! You can find great deals, especially on meats, but don’t forget things like appetizers (think cheese and meat platters), drinks (cases of soda, beer, wine), and even napkins, cups, and other utensils. Keep in mind that this is a great option when you are looking to host a big gathering, but not so much with a more intimate dinner. You may end up overspending if you are hosting a small meal.
– Generic is key – Skip the brand names and go for store generic items. This is actually a great thing to remember for any time of the year, as most store-brand names you see are actually the same big-name brand manufacturers, just re-labeled and at a better price!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving this year and continue to keep up the holiday spirit through the rest of the season by following some of these money-saving tips.
Until next time, enjoy!
Gary
