We heard last week that Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people should only cost $48.90 this year. Less than $5 per person, according to the American Farm Bureau’s annual study.
If that sounds unrealistic, here are five tips to help you save a few bucks this year . . .
1. Don’t get fancy. Thanksgiving foods only get expensive when you add things like nuts and bacon to make them more “gourmet.” But most people don’t even want a gourmet Thanksgiving. They want the classics. So save money and keep it simple.
2. You don’t HAVE to make a whole turkey. If you’re having a smaller dinner with four or five people, you might only need to buy a turkey breast and a couple legs. Or go with a roast chicken instead of a whole turkey.
3. Don’t aim for a ton of leftovers. Scale down and buy just enough food for one dinner, with maybe a little bit left over for the next day. Fans of leftovers will hate that idea, but it’ll cut down on costs.
4. Make it a potluck. Have everyone bring something. Or if you’re doing dinner, ask them to bring some wine, or make the dessert.
