When you think of Thanksgiving do you think of the Norman Rockwell painting of the mother serving a perfectly browned turkey to her adoring family? Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays that brings family and friends together for an often all-day feast, football and fun and games. A frugal Thanksgiving can be fun and memorable, too. Just keep the focus of day on giving thanks for your family and friends without breaking the bank.

Make it a potluck Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most perfect occasions for a potluck-style dinner.  We usually make the turkey, while my mother brings her “famous” stuffing (which is technically called dressing since it is cooked outside the bird).  My sister is in charge of the pies, her specialty, bringing apple and pumpkin pies for sure.   Aunts  bring mashed potatoes, rolls and vegetables.  A potluck dinner not only divides the work, but also spreads the costs among the families attending.

Forget about the supermarket’s free turkey offer

Many grocery stores will give you a  free turkey if you spend over a certain amount over several weeks. CAUTION:  this not a good deal if you’re spending more than your usual budget on groceries in order to meet the free-turkey threshold.  If you must go for the free bird, like my husband who can’t resist a freebie, just make it work for you.  Stock up on staples, frozen goods, and baking ingredients which are usually good buys at this time of year and have a longer shelf life.

When you are buying your turkey, plan on 1 – 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person.  If you are not expecting a crowd, use turkey parts such as legs, thighs or just a breast.  This will save you have having too much leftover turkey that you may not be able to use.

Make your own decorations

Let the kids decorate with nature – have them collect pinecones and other seasonable natural products like gourds and pumpkins, colorful leaves and the like to create lovely table centerpieces.

Avoid Disposables

Avoid using disposable dishes, cutlery, and napkins.  Even if you have to run the dish washer more than once, you’ll still spend less than you would on disposables, and it is much better for the environment.

Frugal Wine

Consider using boxed wines, which are a surprisingly good, and low-cost option.  If you don’t like the look of the box, I suggest serving a Beaujolais Nouveau.  It becomes available the third Thursday of November each year, is not overly expensive, and is fabulous with a heavy turkey dinner.  Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau runs around $6-$8 per bottle.    Our other favorite is a Sauvignon Blanc Marborough.  This wine is from New Zealand, and the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough runs around $10, you may even find it for less.

Focus on the spirit of the day

Spend time with family.  Talk, play games; watch football; look at old family photos.  Give thanks for the good fortune you have to spend this time with your loved ones.

Who doesn’t want to get the most for their money when they go grocery shopping? However, we don’t always know how to go about finding the best savings at the grocery store. Here are some ideas you may want to use when shopping, as wells as some handy food storage tips, that can help you save money. Use these ideas to keep more money in the bank!

Grocery Shopping

1. Always shop on a full stomach to avoid impulse purchases. If you’re hungry you are more likely to buy things you really don’t need.
2. Watch for seasonal sales. Certain things will go on sale at certain times of the year. For example, baking supplies start going on sale around Thanksgiving through the Christmas holiday, or condiments in the summer. Stock up when items are on sale and save money.
3. Use coupons! Check out the Sunday paper, and also the special offers in the newspaper usually Wednesday or Thursday (check with your local newspaper publisher). Clip coupons for those items you really use and enjoy, and save.
4. Shop alone. Your significant other or your kids may have a tendency to talk you into things that aren’t on your list or in your frugal budget.
5. Shop with a list. I keep a notepad in the kitchen so that i can jot down what I need as soon as I run out of it. Shopping with a list, and sticking to it, will help you avoid buying things that you don’t need, or that you really aren’t out of yet.
6. Know the prices of the things you purchase and when you’re at the checkout, watch the register carefully. Be sure you are getting the advertised sale prices, and that you are not being overcharged for regularly priced items. Mistakes do happen, and often, so be aware.
7. Shop the warehouse stores for non-perishable items like paper products, cleaning supplies, and those food products that you know you can use in a reasonable amount of time.  If you have a large family or you’re planning a gathering, you can take advantage of savings on the bulk food items.  Or choose those items that have a longer shelf life, if you buy in bulk, such as pasta or rice.

Proper Food Storage Saves Money
If you’re never sure how to store your flour, or how long your chicken can be kept in the refrigerator, you’re not alone. We’ve made a list of some popular foods and storage parameters for each:

• Spaghetti You can store this for up to two years, but once opened, store it in an airtight container.
• Rice It depends on the variety, but all should be kept tightly covered. White can last up to two years, but brown and wild should be stored only six months to a year.
• Flour You can freeze flour indefinitely, otherwise, keep it in an airtight container just six to eight months.
• Dry Cereal Check the date on the package, but after opened, dry cereal usually lasts about two to three months. Make sure to refold the package liner tightly or transfer it to an airtight container to help maintain quality.
• Bacon Keep it in the refrigerator just seven days. You can freeze bacon for up to a month.
• Chicken or Turkey Pieces Store in the refrigerator one to two days, or the freezer for nine months.
• Apples They’ll last one to three weeks in the refrigerator, but make sure not to wash them before storing. Keep them in the crisper or in a moisture-resistant bag.
• Ground Beef You can store it one to two days in the refrigerator or three to four months in the freezer.
• Steaks or Roasts These will last three to five days in the refrigerator, six months to a year in the freezer.
• Deli or Lunch Meats Keep these in the refrigerator for three to five days or freeze them for up to two months.
• Eggs Eggs keep for three weeks. (You shouldn’t freeze eggs. )
• Butter It will last one to two weeks in the refrigerator. Make sure to wrap it tightly.
• Shredded Cheese Keep it in the refrigerator and use within two days of the “best when purchased by” date.

Commonly Asked Questions about Food Storage

How long before I should refrigerate leftovers from dinner?
Two hours—for hot foods. Use leftovers within three to five days, and when in doubt, throw it out.

Which temperature should I set my refrigerator and freezer?
Refrigerators should stay at 41 °F (5 °C) or less, and freezers at 0°F (minus 18 °C) or less.

What do packaging dates mean?
“Sell by” means the store should sell the product by the printed date, but the product can still be safely eaten by the consumer.

“Best if used by” means the consumer should use the product by the date listed for best quality and flavor.

“Use by” or “expires” means the product should be used before the date listed.

So save some money at the grocery and improved your life!