As you head to the grocery store this weekend for Thanksgiving meal prep, expect the impact of inflation to hit you in the face.
Putnam County UT Extension Agent Michelle Parrott said a few smart shopping decisions can help you put together a Thanksgiving meal for less.Parrott said most people usually struggle with impulse buying when grocery shopping. Parrott said people should make a shopping list before heading to the store.
“Sitting down and making that shopping list before you head to the store, so you don’t make that impulse buying once you are there, and you see those endcaps and oh, this looks good, oh, this looks great, I’m gonna add that to my shopping cart while all those things add up when you are getting to the checkout line,” Parrott said.
Parrott said people should also check their pantry to see if they already have some of the ingredients needed for a meal. Parrott said it stings to spend money in your budget on ingredients you already have.
“Sometimes when you get to the store, you may think, oh, do I need this?” Parrott said. “And you might purchase it, and maybe already have two or three of those items in the pantry or cabinet in the home waiting for you. So definitely wanting to check the cabinets at home before you actually go out shopping.”
Parrott said if you have a tight budget, she recommends selecting cheaper alternative dishes to have during the Thanksgiving meals. However, Parrott said Thanksgiving meal ingredients do tend to go on sale leading into the holiday.
“Definitely well worth looking at those sale item papers that you may have, or looking at online at your store, or using an app if you have a smartphone, and you like using the app for that store,” Parrott said. “You can really find key coupon items through making that shopping list.”
Parrott said if a deal is so good, she recommends buying extra to have for Christmas. Parrot said it would be good to buy groceries this weekend, as the closer you get to the holidays, the more in a rush you are and the less likely those items will be available.