$AVING YOU MONEY: Big holiday meal doesn’t have to cost big bucks

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

November 22, 2008 11:28 pm

— Thanksgiving: A time to give thanks for a bounty of blessings.
It also is a time to fork over a bounty of bucks for the big turkey and yam feast.
The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that a “typical” Thanksgiving feast for 10 people will cost about $44.61, an increase of $2.35 over last year.
However, there are ways to save money on feasting, besides going to grandma’s house.
“The first thing that comes to my mind is coupons,” said Heather Winn, family and consumer sciences educator for Cherokee County. “There are places to go on the Internet to get coupons, such as name brand Web sites, and I know they have recipes.”
Hilldale High School family and consumer science teacher Anita Connor said her family has a tradition of turning the feast into a pot-luck supper.
“I’m still kind of doing it,” she said. “My mother-in-law did it when my kids were young and now my daughter-in-law is doing it. She does the turkey and the rest of us take other dishes.”
One plus about the Thanksgiving feast is that the turkey “is relatively inexpensive,” Connor said.
Also, turkey prices usually plummet in November and December. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the average price for a whole frozen turkey dropped from $1.25 per pound to $1.10 per pound from October to November 2007 to $1 per pound in December.
Apparently, prices have plummeted even more this year.
Johnny Grogan, meat manager for Harp’s Food Store in Fort Gibson, said the price for turkey is 99 cents per pound, 10 cents per pound lower than last year.
The downside, of course, is that the turkey usually is pretty big. Even at 99 cents per pound, a 10-pound frozen turkey would cost about $9.90, not including sales tax.
That big expense now could save money on all the lunches and dinners with all the sandwiches, soups and Tetrazzinis you could make with the leftovers.
Still, there are other ways to save money now on the bird.
First, you do not need a large bird for a small feast with only a few people. Bob Whittenberg, owner of Central Meat Market in Muskogee said you can buy only favorite parts of the turkey, such as the breast or dark meats.
“Most of the stores have boneless turkey breasts,” he said. “You also can get a large turkey hen, which averages about six to eight pounds.”
The turkeys sold at groceries usually are male turkeys, he said.
Of course turkeys aren’t the only part of the feast. Feasts also include the green bean casseroles, the pies, the yams, the mashed potatoes.
There are ways to save on those, as well.
Connor said to “cut down on the number of things you prepare.”
“Instead of pecan pies, make regular pumpkin pies,” she said. “Make more homemade things instead of going out and buying something prepared.”
Prepackaged or frozen pies, stuffing and casseroles usually cost more than items you cook yourself.

Save on the feast

• Go for fruits and veggies in season. But canned or frozen veggies can cost less than off-season fresh ones.
• Frozen supermarket turkeys cost less than fresh.
• Prepare food yourself instead of getting pre-made pies or casseroles.
• Don’t prepare everything yourself. Make it a potluck with visitors bringing goodies.
• Don’t buy more turkey, ham or fixings than you really need.
• Don’t be a slave to the recipe. Substitute water for canned stock or thicken gravy with flour and water.
Source: www.epicurious.com, “A Lavish Thanksgiving Feast for $79.79

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

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