Learn to have a happy and economical thanksgiving holiday on a budget. 10 tips to get you started.

1. Thanksgiving on aThanksgiving on a
BUDGET!BUDGET!

2. While historians may quibble about the date and site
of the first ThanksgivingThanksgiving, all agree that the events
recognized the hardships our nation's early settlers
endured and their courage, strength and faith in
better times.

3. Centuries have passed, yet
due to a tough economy
many of us have something
in common with the Pilgrims
this year as we wonder how
we are going to put food on
the table.

4. Here are 10 Tips to help manage the
cost of your Thanksgiving celebration!

5. 1. Plan like a Pilgrim…
• The first step is to decide
how much you can afford to
spend.
• Decide how many people
will sit down to dinner and
plan a menu.
• Be sure to go through your
recipes and make a
shopping list so that you
can find the best prices for
each item with weekly
grocery store specials and
coupons.
• The early settlers had to
plan to make it from harvest
to harvest.

6. 2. Gather together…
• Just like the
Pilgrims and Native
Americans,
everyone should
contribute to the
feast.
• Consider asking
everyone to bring a
menu item or
contribute the
decorations or paper
goods.

7. 3. A bird in the hand…
• One of the biggest
expenses is the turkey.
• Be sure you buy one that
is only as large as you
need.
• If everyone prefers white
meat, purchase only a
turkey breast rather than
a whole bird.

8. 4. Plymouth rock and roll…
•Streamline the holiday and
your budget by sticking with
easy recipes that don’t call for
a lot of ingredients and spices
you need to buy and may
never use again.
•Time consuming recipes
made from scratch often cost
more than prepared foods,
mixes, canned or frozen
alternatives.

9. 5. The big day…
•Team up with someone
and shop at a wholesale
club in order to split large
package sizes and save
even more.
•You can also divide
potatoes, apples and
onions which are
cheaper by the bag.
Lindsay does it!

10. 6. Don’t “Fall” for it…
• TV commercials try to
convince us that everyone's
holiday homes are
beautifully coordinated with
themed glassware, plates
and decorations.
• Most people don’t live like
that.
• See what you already have
on hand in and around your
home.
• Spend money on one item
such as a tablecloth or
candles to dress up your
everyday plates and glasses.
• Make your own decorations:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5609666_
make-own-thanksgiving-
decorations.html

11. 7. It’s called a “Mayflower Mist”…
• Reduce expenses on
sodas and alcoholic
beverages by limiting
the number of choices
you’ll offer.
• A specially-themed
cocktail or punch can
add a festive touch to
the celebrations and be
created with only a few
ingredients.

12. 8. Sweet savings…
• It’s hard to leave room
for dessert so why buy
or make too much
only to have it go to
waste?
• Smaller dessert plates
will also stretch the
servings and offer
stuffed guests just the
right portion size.

13. 9. Go cold turkey…
• Turn leftovers into
“planned-overs” by
downloading free
recipe ideas in
advance for food that
will last more than
one meal.

14. 10. Lead the parade…
There’s more to Thanksgiving than a large, expensiveThere’s more to Thanksgiving than a large, expensive
meal.meal.
• Celebrate with a more
economical morning
breakfast or brunch
while watching the
parade.
• Or host a game day
meal of pizza, subs and
appetizers in front of
the TV.

15. Above all…
Remember that the most important aspect of
Thanksgiving isn't whatwhat you are serving, but
rather whowho you are serving, so surround yourself
with the people you care about most, and
concentrate on family time and bonding!concentrate on family time and bonding!

16. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

17. For more information contact:
American Debt Counseling, Inc.
A 501(c )(3)non-profit Credit
Counseling Organization
14051 NW 14th
Street
Sunrise, FL 33323
www.americandebtcounseling.org
1-888-DEBT USA
Thank You!