The key to saving money on the tastiest meal of the year is planning ahead.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a dish to share, you know the prices of groceries have gone up. Keeping the cost as low as possible requires planning. Here are some ways to save on what many of us consider the tastiest meal of the year.

Put your plan in writing

Before you set out to shop or place an online grocery order, establish a Thanksgiving dinner menu and budget.

When planning the menu, see if there are budget-friendly versions of your favorite recipes with a Google search.

Set a budget according to what you can afford. Estimate the price for each item on your menu. If your budget can accommodate everything, you’re good to go. If your planned meal requires more than you can comfortably pay, pare down your menu. Perhaps just one dessert instead of two. Alternatively, ask family and friends to help out by bringing beverages or a specific dish. You could also make it a potluck meal to keep costs low and still have wonderful feast.

When you go shopping, only buy what’s on your list.

Track down deals

During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, grocers offer many great deals. Check out the weekly sales and savings apps for nearby stores. Recently, one area grocer offered one pound of Land O’Lakes butter for $3.99; that’s substantially less than the $6 to $7 regular price. Locate enough deals like this and your meal prep efforts will really pay off.

Choose generic brands

In some families, a brand name product is tradition. For example, there’s no replacement for a Sanders Bumpy Cake. However, there are many items where no one will notice the difference if a generic is used. Spices, vanilla extract, flour, sugar and canned vegetables are good candidates for generic substitutes.

Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can significantly bring down per pound or unit costs. However, bulk items cost more than regular sizes and there’s a lot to use. Team up with a friend or family member to buy certain items in bulk, such as potatoes, onions or walnuts. Keep in mind that some items (like nuts, berries, butter and shredded cheese) can be frozen and used for future meals, including Christmas dinner.

Take time to plan your Thanksgiving meal and you’ll be thankful that you can save more money.

 

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