While the price of food hasn't been escalating like it was last year, a trip to the grocery store can still be expensive. And never more so than when Thanksgiving rolls around.
But there are simple tips you can use to keep the grocery cart full without emptying the bank account.
Tip 1: As soon as you have a head-count and know what you're serving, go online to a recipe site that will tell you exactly what you'll need.
Tip 2: When you've got your list, go to a coupon search engine and see what deals you can find. Check your local papers, too.
Tip 3: When it comes to turkey, frozen can save you 30-40% over fresh: just make sure you have the 3-5 days it takes to thaw it out.
Tip 4: If you're serving wine, boxed is half the price. And once you pour it into a nice decanter, no one will likely know the difference.
Tip 5: Make your own pies. Some, like pumpkin, are really easy.
And here's a bonus tip: before you go shopping, check with customer service and see if they match advertised prices from other stores. If they do, you can do all your shopping in one place and not miss out.
