With Thanksgiving just about a month away, it's time to start thinking about the big meal!
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can quickly add up.
The American Farm Bureau Federation reported last year that the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner in 2015 was $50.11.
To cut down on your Turkey Day expenses, all you have to do is spend enough on the rest of your groceries and many stores will throw in the bird for free.
Here are the Krazy Coupon Lady's top tips for getting a free turkey this year.
1. Remember that a 20-pound turkey is worth about $25. This is assuming a cost of $1.25/pound.
2. Don't exceed a $100 minimum spend to get your free turkey. Many of the big chains, including Vons/Safeway and Albertsons will give you a free turkey once you spend $100, so don't fall for requirements from other stores to spend more than that.
3. Don't load up on groceries you wouldn't normally buy just to hit the $100 mark.
Do this and you're not saving money at all. To reach the $100 minimum, concentrate on the core items: stuffing, pumpkin pie, pre-meal snacks, drinks and vegetables, and if you still don't get to $100, then include some of your weekly grocery necessities in the same trip.
4. Take advantage of promotions offering a free turkey when you buy a ham.
The Krazy Coupon Lady notes that a number of stores offered promotions like this one last year. She recommends jumping on this deal and freezing the ham to serve at Christmas.
5. Free turkey promos should start appearing any day now, so start looking!
Even stores that didn't go the total freebie route last year offered other discounted options. Target sold turkeys for 99 cents per pound, but you'd score a $10 gift card if you made a $50 grocery purchase.
Bottom line, don't pay full price for your turkey this year!
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