A Thanksgiving Recipe

Who’s having Turkey?

Where is my plate?!!!! The joy of Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Here are some tips so you can have a great weekend without breaking the bank.

Main Ingredients

Dinner: Coupons, Sale items, and Store brands are all key ingredients to a low Thanksgiving bill. Pot luck is the best cost and time saver out there. Dinner is about Family, Friends and Fun, not an additional bill.

Ambience: Beautiful settings for cheap. Borrow chairs and tables from your church, workplace, friends or family members, who may not be hosting Thanksgiving dinner. If they are not using the furniture why can’t you? Table decorations can be found in your home. Use your creativity or imaginative children to make beautiful table decorations. Check your garage or storage boxes for unused tablecloths and cutlery before you buy additional items.

Travel: If you are traveling this holiday avoid renting a vehicle at the airport. There are generally additional charges when renting at the airport which could raise your bill by $100-200 for a weekly rental. The days of the week that you travel has a significant impact on how much your ticket cost. Airfares are cheaper if you return the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday rush with everyone trying to get back for work. Individuals living in the Northeast can take advantage of the many different low-cost bus companies (besides Greyhound) that offer super cheap rates. Roundtrip from NYC to Virginia can be as low at $69 roundtrip.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle): A few years ago, I didn’t know what that acronym meant, but now I love it! Alcohol can be expensive, therefore suggest to family and friends that they bring their favorite bottle. As the host house, you can focus on providing juices and soft drinks that will compliment the alcohol being brought to the house. In addition, if you want to provide some liquor you can buy house wines and more economical liquors.  Studies show that most people after taste testing various brands of wine and liquor, just don’t know the difference. So, why PAY the difference!

Black Friday or Bland Friday: Make your list and stick to it! Prior to looking at the sales ads, know what you NEED and the cost. A big advertising trick is listing one item at a really low price, as a way to get you in the door. Stick to your list! Say it with me, “I will stick to my list and know what I’m willing to pay!” Shopping wisely is about planning and knowing what the item generally costs. Know each store’s return policy before you exit, even better know their PRICE ADJUSTMENT policy.

Thanks for allowing me into your home.

Bon Appétit

Shareeke The Conscious Spender

 

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