Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Greetings Thrifty Friends,

You don't need me to tell you that Thanksgiving is in a few days! I am already fantasizing about the thick slices of tender, juicy roast turkey, drenched in mushroom gravy and rubbing shoulder-to-shoulder with a small mountain of mashed potatoes and a simply disgracefully giant scoop of creamy green bean casserole.

Unfortunately, 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 TIPS:

* One of the simplest ways to cut costs is to cut the number of side dishes. The more different dishes prepared, the more money spent. Is it really going to ruin dinner if you don't have honey-glazed carrots AND corn on the cob AND sweet potato casserole AND creamed spinach? Nobody eats that stuff anyway.

Focusing on just a couple of side dishes to go along with the turkey is a surefire way to reduce your grocery bill. Pick recipes that require just a few common ingredients that you probably already have in the house.


* Skipping appetizers is a good strategy too. Since guests will stuff themselves on the main course, avoid the effort and expense of preparing costly finger foods. And ask guests to bring appetizers, desserts or wine. That not only eases your cost but also makes your guests feel like they're contributing to the party.


* Finally, probably the single most expensive item on your menu will be the turkey. Fresh turkeys have become very popular, but really, can you tell the difference in taste from a frozen bird? Typically a frozen turkey costs about half the price per pound compared with a fresh turkey.


* Of course, the best way to save money on Thanksgiving is to find somebody who is hosting a big dinner and get yourself invited to their house!