Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
The American Farm Bureau Federation just released a report that says Americans will spend 3% more on Thanksgiving groceries than they did in 2011 and 14% more than we did two years ago. If you're planning on celebrating the occasion and footing the entire bill for a group of 10 people, you would have paid $43.47 in 2010, and $49.20 last year. This year, expect to pay $49.48… unless you employ some money-savings strategies. At roughly $1.39 a pound, buying a Turkey in 2012 is about about 4 cents per pound more expensive. A 16-pound turkey will cost about $22.23 this year, the AFBF said (66 cents more than last year).
I started buying canned and boxed Thanksgiving foods last week. This week we're seeing plenty of good deals – particularly when you apply coupons to your best local sales. You can get great deals on canned olives, french fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, canned green beans, stove top stuffing, and pies and pie ingredients.
Here are my favorite tips that I share each year when planning the big meal:
1. Share the workload – Don't do Thanksgiving alone! It's more economical to focus on a couple dishes to provide a larger group than to provide everything for just your family. This will save you plenty of time, too.
2. Don't buy your turkey early. Procrastination does pay in some cases. If you haven't purchased your turkey yet, you're in luck. The best turkey deals happen on the week of Thanksgiving. Compare all the local stores – even the ones you don't regularly shop at. Some stores offer incentives to buy your turkey from them. Some stores may even offer a free turkey if you purchase a set dollar amount in order to get the complimentary bird. Do some quick math along with some online research (figuring out where to use your coupons) and you can come out ahead by waiting for the right opportunity.
3. Should you go for the larger bird? It depends. According to the USDA, any leftover turkey should be eaten within 3-4 days if refrigerated. Properly frozen turkey can be stored, thawed and eaten within 4-6 months. Depending on the sale, your budget, and your willingness to work with (and eat) that much leftover turkey, a larger turkey may be a great purchase this year despite the higher cost.
4. Use coupons! There's a reason I always advise that families use coupons… they WORK! Combined with the right sales, you can buy many items (particularly those in cans, packages, or boxes) at a fraction of the cost that non-couponers pay. Don't leave hundreds of dollars on the table this month. Go ahead and use your coupons from your Sunday paper and the Internet. I can tell you exactly when and where to use them for maximum savings. (Visit SavingsAngel.com to learn more)
5. Decorating? Try nature instead. Send the kids outdoors to find leaves, pine cones, and pine sprigs to make an attractive centerpiece this Thanksgiving. If you must purchase items to decorate with, I recommend checking the dollar stores over conventional retailers or party stores. You may find some autumn-themed decoration deals for next year while out shopping on Black Friday (November 23rd).
Speaking of Black Friday, make sure to watch for my article next week to get the most out of this once-a-year shopping event. You can read my black friday tips from last year along with all my past articles at: https://savingsangel.com.
Couponers save hundreds of dollars every month at the grocery store. However, many couponers can end up living very extreme lifestyles to get those savings. For over five years, SavingsAngel.com has equalized the playing field ““ giving extreme savings to busy families who don't have the time or ability to be an extreme couponer. Each week, SavingsAngel.com's over 70 angels combine over 2,000 products on sale at local grocery and drug stores with an enormous database of over 2000 different manufacturer coupons. These combinations result in our members getting access to over 300 products each week for 50% off or better. Simply log in, choose the deals you want, print or clip only the coupons you need, and save hundreds of dollars a month at regional and national stores. Our angels will personally work with you to craft a plan that will help you buy healthier food at lower prices ““ helping you keep $200 to $400 in savings each month.
