Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Greetings Thrifty Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving! This unique American holiday usually comes with a lot of expenditures. We want to go a little overboard to impress our family and friends. But you can still host a fantastic meal without the fantastic cost with a few very simple ideas.

Keep pinchin' those pennies,
Penny

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TODAY'S THRIFTY TIP: Buy less food!

It almost sounds unAmerican. Buy less for Thanksgiving? But we usually waste so much of what we prepare for Thanksgiving that we can safely reduce most of our dishes. Try buying a smaller turkey. Typically each guest only eats about a half pound of meat. Reduce the amount of your side dishes by 25 percent. Maybe cut out a side dish all together. Do we need both sweet and mashed potatoes? Your family and guests will still enjoy everything and you've just saved yourself both time and money.


BONUS TIP: Try potluck.

Spreading the work out makes it easier and cheaper for the host family without lessening the food to share. When somebody says, "What can I bring?" Tell them, "How about a dish of that delicious greenbean casserole you're famous for?" You save yourself the time and expense and still get all the variety!