Saving on Thanksgiving When Food Costs Are High

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, show gratitude, and, of course, to eat. If you’ve been in a grocery store at all this year, you’ve probably noticed the cost of everything is going up. 

Overall, food costs have risen nearly 30% since 2019. And as an extra pain point this year, the number of turkeys raised in 2025 is down 3%, marking the lowest estimate in 40 years, leading to wholesale prices for frozen whole turkeys going up 4.2 cents per pound. 

The pinch can feel particularly stressful as you start thinking about hosting guests for Thanksgiving. That’s why The Focus Federal Credit Union is offering 10 tips to help you save on your holiday feast.    

1. Shop Early and Shop Around

If you’re wondering how to save money, one of the best things you can do is start shopping early. Many stores spread out their sales and discounts, so if you don’t start shopping early, you could miss out on deals. Throughout November, look for items on your list. You’ll probably find cranberries are on sale one week and the sweet potatoes the next.

Generally, you won’t be able to get the lowest prices for all the items on your Thanksgiving list at one store. Grocery stores set their own prices based on things like the quality of the groceries they have, their scale, and competition from other grocery stores in the area. Take time to compare prices and shop at multiple stores. You could save a few bucks by picking up your groceries from different stores. Review the special store announcements from local grocers like Homeland, Aldi, and Crest Foods. Aldi is already promoting their Thanksgiving groceries for just $40 for 10 people.

Stock up on vegetables when prices are low and freeze them. Lots of Thanksgiving veggies, like corn, peas, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower, are freezer-friendly. But avoid freezing vegetables like cucumbers, potatoes, eggplant, or asparagus. They don’t defrost well and may come out slightly mushy. 

Speaking of frozen, we can’t forget about Tom. No question, cooking a frozen turkey takes a bit more planning to allow for thawing, but according to the National Turkey Federation, there’s no difference in the quality of frozen or fresh turkeys. It all comes down to personal preference. But frozen turkeys are typically more budget-friendly. Snag a frozen turkey when they’re on sale and stick it in the back of the freezer until you’re ready to thaw and roast it. 

2. Take Advantage of Loyalty Perks

Enroll in grocery loyalty programs. These programs may also give you rewards every time you make a purchase, which you can redeem for things like coupons or additional discounts. They offer members instant discounts and are often free to join. 

Even a few dollars in digital coupons can stretch the budget and drive your food costs down. 

And don’t be afraid of store-brand products. Going generic usually saves tons of money. The Food and Drug Administration requires the same safety and quality standards, so oftentimes the only difference between brand-name and generic is the packaging. 

3. Plan Your Menu Around Deals, Not Traditions

Avoid the tradition trap of making certain dishes just because you think you must. If no one eats it, then you’ve essentially wasted your money. 

If you’ve hosted in previous years, think about what people ate versus what you ended up throwing out. 

Do you really need to make the green bean casserole this year? 

Taking time to consider what your loved ones actually want to eat keeps you from wasting your money on food costs, and it also means you’ll only be serving food your friends and family actually like.

And while traditional Thanksgiving food is expected, the same menu year after year can be boring. Break tradition by switching up your menu. Chicken, pork, and vegetarian are just a few equally festive and more affordable crowd pleasers. Filling dishes like risotto, rice pilaf, or pasta are classics and guest favorites. Plus, they’re great when you need to stretch a smaller budget. 

4. Buy in Bulk

When you purchase larger quantities, you can significantly reduce your overall grocery bill. And while the initial outlay for bulk purchases may seem high, the long-term savings are significant. 

The best foods to store long-term are grains, like wheat, rice, flour, beans, oats, and pasta. 

And buying in bulk doesn’t just save money, it saves the environment. You cut down on food packaging waste, and fewer trips to the store mean less gas and lower emissions. 

5. Host a Potluck-Style Meal

Instead of putting the whole feast on your shoulders, you can spread the cost (and work) around by hosting a potluck. Ask each guest to bring a dish to share. 

Now, even a potluck needs planning. Assign guests categories of food and drinks, so you don’t end up with all sides and no appetizers or dessert. 

After everyone has signed up, double-check if anyone will require the use of an appliance. Remember that the central star, the turkey, will use a lot of your oven’s time. 

Serve the food buffet-style. Then, set up a doggie bag station so everyone can take a bit of the delicious favorites home. You can even assign a bring-to-go container to someone instead of food. 

6. Shop Your Fridge and Pantry First

Americans discard more food than any other country in the world, nearly 60 million tons every year. That’s an estimated $218 billion in wasted food.

One of the most effective ways to save money on groceries and avoid waste is to use what you already have. Take time to look at the food you already have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. You might discover cans of cranberry sauce and frozen peas tucked in the back. It helps you avoid buying duplicates, and you may save by using ingredients you already have.

Get creative by planning part of your meal around what you already own and substituting recipe ingredients with what you already have on hand. 

Also, buying fresh herbs can add up. Stick to staples like dried rosemary and oregano, which you likely already have on hand.

7. Make It a No-Waste Holiday

Thanksgiving leftovers are arguably the best part of the holiday. Make the most of all your hard work and planning by transforming your leftovers into delicious next-day dishes. 

Sure, you can reheat them the next day or two, but you can also convert them into new meals. Whether it’s soup, casserole, salad, sandwiches, or chili, there are tons of meals you can make from leftovers. 

When you use leftovers, you avoid waste and cut your food costs down after Thanksgiving. 

8. Pick Up a Side Hustle

Thanksgiving can be expensive, and it rolls right into more costly holidays. Now may be the time to consider picking up a side hustle. 

Plenty of people are embracing a sideline venture. No matter what your education, field of work, or interests, there’s something for you. 

Beyond the money, it delivers tons of benefits from self-esteem to skill development. Really, the only skill all side hustles require is motivation. 

Pick something you can manage in terms of the time commitment, but also the hours you’re available.

Base your gig on something more than just income. If you work solely on income, you’re likely to find the experience draining. 

9. DIY Decorate

DIYing your Thanksgiving decor is an easy way to save money. Welcome guests with unique entryway decor and decorate the walls of your gathering space in your own budget-friendly way. 

Grab gourds, acorns, pinecones, and a few foraged fall leaves, and you’ll have Thanksgiving decorations in no time. 

Check with local farmers to see if you can get corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, and other items for cheap or free post-Halloween. 

Rethink what you already have. Use scraps of orange, red, and yellow ribbon around napkins to add a classy touch to your table setting. 

Add fun to your place settings with folding napkins. Make your napkins look like little turkeys by folding them into a fan shape and running one end through a napkin ring so they stand up like turkey feathers. Or, turn your napkins into miniature pumpkins by placing a napkin ring in the center and folding the sides of the napkin into it, making a little ball.  

10. Plan for Next Year 

Before you’re even done enjoying leftovers, it’s time to think ahead and start prepping for next year. 

One way to do this is by enrolling in a TFFCU Holiday Club Account. It’s a way to set aside funds for holiday expenses throughout the year in a consistent way.

You can open an account online or by visiting a Focus Federal Credit Union branch. Once you set up a bank or credit union account, you can select automatic weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments. 

Gratitude Over Grocery Bills

Thanksgiving is about taking time to reflect on what you have. Whatever you serve, take time to appreciate the meal and the purpose of the holiday. No one at the table is thinking about whether you bought name-brand cranberry sauce. 

Every season, TFFCU is thankful for all our members. We hope we can provide year-round saving tips and help you make the money you earn.

Aiden Ferguson

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