How to Plan a Holiday Dinner without Breaking the Bank
The 2016 holiday season is fast approaching. What better time to get organized with your finances. Consumer debt is one of the biggest financial problems Canadians have, with the average person starting 2016 with over $21 000 worth of debt. A great way to save money this holiday season is to cut back on your holiday dinner.
Shop & Plan Ahead
The worst thing you could do to your budget is buy your holiday dinner ingredients the day before you need them. That being said, not planning your meal ahead of time is a close second, as the chances of you forgetting an ingredient and having to buy it at the last minute are high.
Make a list, check it twice and scour the store flyers. Maybe you’ll have to spend the greater part of the day running to different grocery stores for ingredients, but you will save money. Grocery stores promote “loss leaders,” highly discounted items to entice people to shop at the store. Grocery stores promote these discounts in hopes that once the shoppers are in the store, they’ll buy more regular priced food. By shopping at different stores, you can take advantage of many stores’ loss leader discounts and save money on your holiday dinner.
Be Flexible
There’s no rule that says you have to serve turkey or ham for a holiday dinner. Break tradition and serve a roast chicken or a marinated meat. Look to the frozen aisle or discount section for potential savings on vegetables. Canned vegetables or cranberries represent other ways to save money.
Above all else, remember that you’re on a budget this year. If grandma can’t have holiday dinner without a slice of pecan pie but no one else likes it, ask grandma to bring her own. Don’t cave into family pressure about what to serve at your holiday dinner.
Have a Potluck
As terrible as it sounds to ask people to bring food to your party, potlucks are fast and frugal way to feed a lot of people. Word to the wise though, once you’ve decided to host a potluck, make a spreadsheet or private Facebook group for everyone to discuss what they’re bringing. The last thing you want it four dips and no dessert.
Use the Leftovers
The financial outlay for a holiday dinner can seem pretty daunting. After buying a turkey, enough vegetables to feed your extended family and all sorts of breads and desserts, it’ll feel like you’ve spent an entire month’s worth of grocery money on one meal.
Fortunately, we live in an age where we can access millions of recipes with the swipe of a finger. The internet is awash with recipes for leftover turkey and other holiday dinner foods. Even though you’re spending a lot of money on one meal, you’ll easily have enough food for a week’s worth of lunches and dinners. Get creative!
Holiday dinners were the best as a kid. You could sit and eat delicious foods you only got a few times a year and no one expected you to help with anything! Now, as an adult, you’re called upon to not only prepare an entireholiday dinner yourself, but to pay for it as well. With a bit of planning and creativity though, you can have a holiday dinner without breaking the bank.