Feeding the Family without Overspending

The Thanksgiving season is a time of year many people associate with eating food and spending time with others. Balancing your spending with enjoyment can be a challenge. Find ways to feel good about what you are spending on food and family time by making a plan. Decide how much money you have to spend on this occasional expense and find ways to make the most of it. 

When preparing or contributing to a meal, consider the cost of the ingredients you are using or purchasing and try to find the best deal. Processed ingredients can sometimes cost more than raw ingredients. For example, do you purchase raw carrots or pre-peeled and sliced? Sometimes, the extra cost may be worth the convenience, but if you have the time to prepare your ingredients, you may find a cost savings. Compare prices on your necessary ingredients and shop sales when possible. Plan your shopping trip in advance by making a list before going to the store. 

If you need an ingredient that you don't have on hand, look for cost-saving substitutes. Illinois Extension provides resources on options for recipe substitutions that can help to save money on ingredients that you do not have the money to buy right now or that you do not have on hand. Some substitutions may work better for some recipes than others. For example, certain recipes may work better with fresh ingredients, but for others, canned or frozen ingredients may be more cost-effective and still achieve the same results. Trying to use what you have on hand before buying more can also help reduce food waste in your household. 

My family tends to cook more food than everyone can eat at larger family gatherings. Coordinating meals for large gatherings can help reduce leftovers by deciding in advance who is making what food, ensuring a balanced meal is achieved without too much of one type of food. Predicting the amount of food needed can be challenging with larger groups, so leftovers may be more likely. Be prepared to store leftovers properly so that the food can be enjoyed for another meal. 

If you are struggling with limited resources, find assistance near you. The Find Food IL Map can help you locate local food pantries across the state that may be able to assist you. Enjoy your time with others and the meals that you share in the upcoming holiday season.