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Grocery stores are coming out with estimates of how much it costs to buy an entire Thanksgiving dinner at their store and how long it takes to cook the big meal if you shop with them.
Save-A-Lot, a grocery chain in Southern California, says they can feed a family of four for $18, including dessert! The dinner includes a 10-pound turkey, green beans, stuffing, rolls, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and a Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Get a $5 off $25 coupon when you sign up for their email list.
BJ’s, an east cost warehouse club, claims you can make Thanksgiving dinner in 30 minutes for 30% less than when you shop at your local grocer, though specific prices were not mentioned. The 30-minute dinner does not include turkey, either. Blasphemy!
Many of the BJs dishes are pre-made, which is a huge time saver. The BJs 30-minute meal includes fresh bread, glazed carrots with cranberries, creamed spinach, butternut squash, garlic mashed potato, gravy, and apple pie. Get a free 60-Day BJ’s Trial Membership if you don’t want to pony up the $45 annual fee.
I’m in charge of desserts this year, a task I relish. I plan to make two pumpkin pies and one apple pie. I’d like to make more pies (key lime, chocolate cream, or berry), but I was told to leave room for other people’s desserts. Making the three pies will cost me less than $10.
How much do you plan to spend on Thanksgiving this year?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
I am planning on spending under $20. This includes a 15 lb turkey from Fresh and Easy, home made cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, green salad, fresh steamed veggies, home made bread, pie and stuffing. The holidays do not have to be expensive if you just pay attention to what youare buying 🙂
@Janet That is a very cheap Thanksgiving meal. Congrats!
I will spent about $50.00 and feed 6 adults. That price is down from what I have spent in the past. Ham and Turkey, hors D’oeuvres, Drinks and lots of sides and trimmings. 3 guests will bring a bottle and dish to pass.
As a 2 person family, we do not like the fact that when buying a turkey , half goes to waste. So we buy cornish hens for Thanksgiving. They are only about $2.50 a piece. We end up spending $7 – $12 for a Thanksgiving meal for 2. (with some leftovers too on the pies etc.)
@Susie A. That’s the least expensive Thanksgiving meal I’ve heard of! You can also buy a turkey breast instead of a whole bird. I like to have extra meat that I can use for turkey soup and turkey pot pie. Yum!
I’m spending $68 for a Honey Baked ham and already can tase how good it will be!
We dont really have the money for a big Thanksgiving feast. And their are only 2 of us. I have beans and pumpkins from the garden. The pies are homemade. The apples come from the neighbors yard. I will just pick up the cornish hens, a can of pumpkin, and i make my own dinner rolls. And some frozen corn for 89 cents. Yep we have a cheap Thanksgiving!
And the small can of pumpkin is for the pumpkin custard. It doesnt turn out well with a garden pumpkin!!
Right now we cant afford thanksgiving meal. husband just lost job and i get paid again after thanksgiving. We live in Florida and our gas was cut off and that is our priority. I will check out my save a lot though. we may be able to do it if under $20
i’m actually by myself this holiday. i plan on spending very little, if anything at all since i’m well stocked on food. also, i’m a semivegetarian so no turkey or plump chicken for me, just the fake stuff and perhaps some seafood.
living here in east la is also way cheap (ex i zucchni was 10 lbs for $1 today) so i’m thankful enough already! hope you all have a great holiday 🙂
I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving. Due to the economy it will be a low cost one. My husband is on unemployment also.
My Church is offering a great free Thanksgiving Dinner 11/ 25 in Monrovia CA from 10-2 at First Christian church 147 W. Palm Ave. 91016 626 358 2260. Come and join us.
Oh Janie that would be nice, but I am in Ohio. Have a great and safe Thanksgiving all!