What are you cooking next Thursday for Thanksgiving – and how are you keeping costs low? My family splits up the cooking duties so no one has to foot the entire bill. I’m on appetizer duty.

Epicurious has an article on feeding eight people for less than $80 with a menu that includes butternut squash soup, roast turkey (of course), stuffing, Brussels sprouts with caramelized shallots, and pecan pumpkin pie. The story offers tips to reduce your bill, like  making things from scratch, buying veggies that are in season, and asking others to pitch in.

Other tips to keep costs down:

• shop ahead of time
• scale back quantities
• nix unpopular side dishes (green bean casserole???)
• get a free turkey from the supermarket (by shopping their regularly leading up to the holiday)
• look for BOGO free sales
• check manufacturer sites for coupons for pumpkin pie, cranberries, and other items on your list
• use your regular dishes instead of buying paper plates
• make your own rolls for a few pennies instead of buying them
• make a centerpiece from fruit, a child’s artwork, candles, or your garden instead of buying a pricey floral arrangement
• stick to your list
• grocery shop the day after Thanksgiving for big sales

Plus:  here are two comical dueling stories about whether the turkey is more important than all the side dishes. I’m leaning towards the sides – I can’t do without rolls and pie!

UPDATE: Reader Pam shared these turkey deals: