As the holiday season approaches, many will face the daunting task of keeping up family traditions without breaking their budget.
“Saving money doesn’t have to mean missing out on all the fun,” said Damaris Karanja, nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Karanja offers these budget-friendly tips to help you save money and have fun at the same time:
• Establish your budget and how much you can afford to spend. Design a menu around your budget and what is seasonal or on sale at the grocery store. Next, write a list of who will be invited. Your budget will guide you on the number of guests you can comfortably invite.
• Keep a grocery list so you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase. A list should also help you avoid making extra trips to the store. Stick to your list for added savings, but stay flexible if you encounter a sale.
• Plan for how to use leftovers. “We lose money when we toss food because it spoiled,” Karanja said.
• Use coupons. “In most cases, grocery stores have great sales on holiday staples like turkeys and hams,” she said. Their goal is to get you into the store with the hope that you will purchase lots of other products that are not on sale. Check for online coupons as well. Start with the website of the store where you shop or of products you use.
• Buy in bulk. “If the price is right and the larger size fits your criteria, go for it!” Karanja said. But prices can be deceiving.
• Save on store brands. Buy generic and you could save up to 40 percent a year on your grocery bill. In taste tests, most consumers can’t tell the difference between generic and name brands.
• Shop high and low. Bargains are usually on the top or bottom shelves. The worst deals are at eye level.
• Pay attention at the checkout. Don’t lose out on a great deal because an item scans incorrectly.
• Ask for help with meal preparation if you are hosting a holiday gathering. This will relieve some of the financial burden. Contact everyone on your holiday guest list and see who can bring a dish to share. Guests traveling from out of town may not be able to bring perishable items, but they can grab some non-perishables on their way in. Make sure you coordinate who’s bringing what to avoid overlap.
• Include a variety of meatless dishes. “These are often cheaper and, as a bonus, generally healthier too,” Karanja said.
• Help others. How about serving some homemade food or giving a grocery store gift certificate to a family in need? “This is the greatest investment you can make for your money during the holiday season,” she said.