How
to Have Thanksgiving on a Budget
By Susan Dunn
Yes, it's the time of
abundance, but if you're on a budget, stick to it and avoid
some stress and guilt. It's the emotionally intelligent thing
to do! www.holidayorganizer.com has some great savings tips,
and I've added a few of my own.
1. Know your portions.
It's tempting to have
a big, beautiful bird, but it's more sensible to buy only as
much as you'll need for your family. The formula is 1 lb. per
person. If you want leftovers, 1.5-2.0 lbs. per person.
2. Take good care of the
bird right after dinner.
If you'll take the time
to remove the meat and wrap it carefully in saran wrap or air-tight
containers, it will remain nice and moist and tempting for
the next meals. For the immediate next dinner, place the turkey
in a plastic container, put a piece of waxed paper and then
put some wet paper towels atop that. Keeps it nice and moist
for sandwiches the next night.
3. Plan your leftovers.
Get those recipes ready.
The meal's good just warmed over for the next night, as long
as the gravy holds, but after that there's Turkey Tetrazzini,
turkey soup, turkey hash. Rotate it with other meals. (Don't
refreeze once-frozen turkey.) Try a variety of flavors to go
with the turkey. Try your own version of Eggs Benedict, using
turkey instead of Canadian bacon. The hollandaise will add
a zip. Make King Ranch Chicken (aka Turkey) with hot sauce.
They won't even know it's turkey! End with cold turkey salad;
the mayonnaise will moisten it.
4. Grocery shop the day
after Thanksgiving.
Bargain-o-rama. Have you
ever been? Surplus fresh turkeys at pennies on the dollar,
bakery items, breads, fresh yams. Clean out your freezer and
get ready. So ... shop for your Christmas meal the day after
Thanksgiving!
5. Pay for convenience
when it counts.
I like to buy throwaway
aluminum pans to cook the turkey in. It's just such a mess
to clean up afterwards. My sister buys gravy from the catering
shop; an indulgence, but worth it to her.
6. Consider alternatives.
Make your own pie crust
and bread. Unless you live in sweet potato country, canned
yams or sweet potatoes are a better bet than fresh. Pre-baked
breads are often sacrificed as loss leaders and with the rest
of the spread, people don't really care. Pumpkin filling mix,
often on sale, is cheaper than buying canned pumpkin and adding
evaporated milk and eggs.
7. Make your own stuffing.
Stuffing is never on sale!
Start on your stuffing mix now. It’s easy! When your loaf of
bread is getting old, put the last pieces on a cookie sheet
and put it in the oven. Warm at 350 for 5 minutes, then turn
the heat off, leaving the bread in the oven to dry out. Put
it into baggies and save. Keep doing this. If you like cornbread
stuffing, start planning lots of chili and cornbread meals!
When it's time to make the stuffing, crush the dried bread
(still in the bag) with a rolling pin and it'll look and act
just like the store bought mix.
8. Decorations? Festive
wear?
If you didn't do it last
year, do it this year. Go out the day after Thanksgiving and
pick up all those napkins, tableware, and cute decorations
for a pittance. If you like a holiday sweater or t-shirt, check
those sales out too. And don't let Madison Avenue jerk you
around with the change of color-scheme every year. Choose one
you like and stick with it!
9. Don't forget about
potluck.
Most guests at your table
for Thanksgiving would love to bring something so they feel
they've contributed and are part of the holiday. My daughter-in-law's
Mom and Dad have pecan trees in the back yard, so they always
bring the pecan pie, and what a savings that is!
10. Trompe l'oeil, it's
called in France -- fool the eye.
My grandmother taught
me this one. She mashed the potatoes and then put dollops of
butter on top to melt -- for the eye. Splurge maybe on one
item, for instance, some of the stores sell molded butter in
holiday shapes. This can sure dress up the brown'n'bake rolls!
© Susan
Dunn, the EQ Coach, helps clients develop their emotional
intelligence and personal foundation for more health, success
and happiness. Visit her on the web at www.susandunn.cc and sdunn@susandunn.cc for
free ezine.
