Preparing Thanksgiving On A Budget
Get your stretchy pants out. Thanksgiving is right around the corning, and the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and every kind of delicious casserole are just waiting to be devoured. Good food aside, if you are hosting Thanksgiving, you might be worried about the cost. Even if you only have a few people over, it’s easy to go overboard and spend more than you budgeted.
Tapping into your savings account or spending money you need for rent or car payments might mean Thanksgiving is saved, but that’s a temporary fix that could have lasting consequences. So, here’s how you can host Thanksgiving on a budget, and here’s how you can protect that budget when a financial emergency threatens it.
Budget Before The Big Day
Before you can even think about planning for a big holiday like Thanksgiving, you need to have a clear grasp of your financials so that you can create a budget. Here are some helpful tips:
- Track and Understand Your Spending: By tracking your spending habits and putting them on paper or typing them into a spreadsheet, you can see exactly where your money is going.
- Make a List Specifically for Thanksgiving: Make a list detailing what you need so that Thanksgiving can go off without a hitch.
- Determine and Monitor Your Budget: After tracking your spending and creating helpful lists, you should have everything you need to create a budget specifically for Thanksgiving. Or anything!
While thinking through your grocery list, you may wonder if it Is even possible to make Thanksgiving dinner on a budget? The answer is yes!
Thanksgiving Day Feast On A Budget
Thanksgiving Day should be filled with family, friends, and all of the food. Here are a few tricks to help you stick to your budget.
Keep It Simple
A beautiful, delicious Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be fancy or pricey. Choose dishes that are easy, simple, and don’t require a lot of expensive ingredients. In fact, a lot of Thanksgiving recipes call for ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
Go For The Store-Brand Frozen Turkey
You will likely spend more on your turkey than anything else you serve. It is the centerpiece, after all. However, you can save when it comes to the perfect bird. Choose a store-brand frozen turkey. Check for coupons or buy a turkey when it goes on sale. Turkeys will keep in the freezer for up to one year.
Just remember that your turkey needs to thaw, or you might have disappointed guests. The general rule is to thaw your bird in the refrigerator 24 hours for every five pounds.
Watch For Sales And Stay With Generic Brands
Go for the generic brands - they are usually just as good as name-brand and quite a bit cheaper! Pay attention to sales. Many grocery stores offer BOGO sales, and using coupons is easier than ever if you have certain apps.
Stick With Your List
Back to budgeting basics...stick to your list. Don’t be swayed by strategically placed displays full of products you likely want to buy but don’t need.
Share The Food And The Costs
If you plan to host a large Thanksgiving dinner, ask your guests to bring a dish. You will save a significant amount of money if everyone pitches in, and most of the time, people are happy to help!
You can plan and budget all year long, but sometimes life happens, and you need help. Getting a loan from Utah Title Loans, Inc. is an option to make sure you have enough cash to host Thanksgiving and handle your emergency free of stress.
The Different Loan Types
A loan from Utah Title Loans, Inc. offers many benefits, especially as Thanksgiving approaches and we find ourselves facing an unprecedented emergency.
Title Loans Online
Title loans online are a short-term secured loan that allows you to leverage the value of a title in your name in order to secure up to $15,000. They’re fast, easy to apply for, and your application starts with you submitting a quick online form. After that, you’ll meet with a loan representative who will inspect your car. You’ll be asked to provide a few pieces of information:
- Your driver’s license
- The title to your vehicle
- Your car for inspection
You also get to keep your car for the duration of your loan.
Payday Loans Online
No vehicle? No problem! A payday loan online is an unsecured loan that allows you access to up to $500 depending on your paychecks. You start your application by filling out an online form, similar to title loans, but you only have to provide this information for your application:
- Your driver’s license
- Your most recent paystub
- A blank check to your bank account.
Installment Loans Online
Online Installment loans are an unsecured loan that allows you up to $1,500. It’s based on your employment status, so you’ll have to bring:
- Your driver’s license
- Your most recent paystub
- A blank check to your bank account
Thanksgiving On A Budget – The Bottom Line
There are plenty of things you can do to make sure your Thanksgiving celebration fits within your budget, but the bottom line is you should prepare ahead of time. If an emergency pops up, remember that we offer several loan types that can help you when you’re in a pinch. Don’t wait for another second to succumb to your emergency. Apply for a title loan online today.
Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.