holiday budget planning

How To Plan a Great Thanksgiving While Spending Less

Thanksgiving is one of the most important dinners of the year. Everyone gathers around the table and enjoys the company of family, friends, and good food.

However, there is always a certain pressure surrounding this event. The meal needs to be exemplary, there needs to be enough for everyone and you can never know if there will be more friends who simply decide to show up.

This is why Thanksgiving can become pricey and a financial burden. Nevertheless, there are many ways to stay on a budget and still enjoy the day next to your loved ones, with a table full of goodies. Here are a few steps that will help you achieve a great Thanksgiving while spending less.

Use These Tips To Plan A Great Thanksgiving

1. Plan Ahead

Start by planning the Thanksgiving meal but also the meals for a few days before and after.

Write down everything and calculate the exact amount of ingredients that you will need. Factor in all the treats and take into consideration the fact that children may require separate planning.

2. Take Advantage Of Leftovers

Thanksgiving dinner can affect your budget for the days ahead. To avoid running on fumes in the days following it, plan for how to use the leftovers and incorporate any new recipes in the initial meal plan.

As an example, the turkey carcass can be the base for a hearty soup that your family will definitely love.

3. Use Everything You Already Have In Your Pantry

We all have a pantry or a freezer or a cupboard of forgotten items.

After creating a meal plan for an entire week, or even better, for 10 days, start inspecting your pantry and your freezer. You might find at least some of the products that you intended to buy.

Write down what you have, in which quantity, and what the expiration day is. This way you will probably cut some costs and you will also make a bit of room in your pantry.

4. Specify Your Shopping List

Shopping lists are probably the most important money-saving tool.

Around the holidays, supermarkets will use different techniques to get people to buy more than they need just to drive sales. Having a shopping list that omits everything that you already have and that fits your needs to the letter, is a great way to stay organized and not get distracted by all the offers.

Also, set a budget for random stuff. Everyone wants to be allowed to spend something extra, but if you set an exact budget for this you are likely to stick to it.

5. Don’t Shop While You Are Hungry

Going shopping while hungry is a big – and costly – mistake. You should always go shopping with a full belly. You’ve probably heard this before and you might have even tested it a few times.

However, when trying to prepare for Thanksgiving on a budget, you will need to make sure that you stick to the list that you created. Since you will be shopping for food, you will feel the need to buy more if you are hungry.

 

calendar with red pin on thanksgiving day

 

This is all great advices, but what about the actual budget? What can you do when your finances are really low? Are you one of the unlucky few who receive their paycheck after Thanksgiving? Do you have a financial emergency, like an urgent home repair that is eating away your Thanksgiving budget?

Thankfully, one form of help comes from Fast Payday Loans in Florida. You can get fast payday loans when you really are in a jam and need help. So if you are hit with financial trouble during Thanksgiving, take the time to look into payday loans.

What Are Payday Loans?

A payday loan is a short-term loan that is designed to bridge the gap between pay periods. You can qualify for amounts between $100 and $1,000 to help you out when you are struck with an emergency. These loans are easily accessible, and for which you don’t need too much paperwork or trips to the bank. Also, you don’t need a good credit score to qualify.

Such a loan is useful because you can get cash fast and you pay the loan as soon as you receive your paycheck. And getting the payday loan in Florida is completely quick! The process is easy for anyone to understand and go through without issue.

How Do I Get Fast Payday Loans in Florida?

The process is nowhere near as complicated as a traditional loan can be! It all begins with you going on the Fast Payday Loans, Inc. homepage and filling out the online payday loan form now! Once submitted, the form will be sent to the location nearest you and a loan associate will give you a call.

During the call, the loan specialist will discuss your loan in detail and go over the required items. Those required items are:

  • Your government-issued ID or driver’s license;
  • A blank check from an active checking account in your name;
  • Your most recent pay stub.

When you have the items, you will come see us at a Florida payday loan near you. We will examine your items and see if we can approve you. If we can, you will receive the amount you qualify for right on the same day – within 30 minutes or less.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Daniel Dewitt

Daniel Dewitt is a lifetime blogger with a finely-honed ability to break down, analyze, and interpret economic trends for the layman. He's fiercely invested in spreading financial literacy and helping everyday people gain the tools they need for their own economic success.