When it comes to Thanksgiving food shopping, waiting for the last possible minute may actually cost you!
Savings expert Jordan Page hit the aisles of Walmart weeks in advance because if you shop early for these essential Thanksgiving dinner items, you could save up to 60 PERCENT!
"Deals may not be this hot for another YEAR," Jordan stresses.
And she was right! Jordan only spent $133 on everything listed below! (Gasp!)
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Her main rule of thumb? "Buy what’s on sale. And buy extra, so you can use it all year long."
Plus, keep an eye out for prices ending in 0 or 1.
"Often times, that’s code language at many stores that it has hit its lowest breaking point price," Jordan explains. "So stock up."
And look, we made a shopping list for you!
1. POTATOES
You can never have too many potatoes!
“Hashed, mashed, fried, scalloped,” Justine says. “There are so many things you can do with potatoes.”
Plus, you can freeze mashed potatoes! After all, they can be time-consuming to make over and over again.
2. MARSHMALLOWS
Jordan suggests keeping them in your freezer instead of your pantry (yes, really!) to prevent them from getting hard and stale.
3. PIE CRUST
MAKE THIS: Slammin’ Sweet Potato Pie
4. TURKEY
Some stores offer protein promotions, like “Buy One Turkey, Get One Free,” “Buy a Turkey, Get a Ham Free” (save it for Christmas!) or “Spend a Certain Amount and Get a Free Turkey!”
Long story short? Pay attention!
RELATED: To Brine or Not to Brine Your Thanksgiving Turkey
5. HAM
RELATED: 4 Delicious Ways to Take Your Spiral Sliced Ham to the Next Level
6. CREAM CHEESE
Did you know you could FREEZE cream cheese?! Well, you can!
RELATED: 12 Amazing Cheese Ball Recipes That You Need To Make This Holiday Season
Watch the video below to see Jordan’s cream cheese-freezing trick:
Items You Didn't Know You Could Freeze
7. FROZEN VEGGIES
LESS IS MORE, since Jordan says these could stay in your freezer all year!
Plus, pro tip: Avoid steamer bags and steam the veggies yourself! (Doing so will shave up to half off your price.)
8. BUTTER
9. WHIPPED CREAM
Be mindful of the brand you’re buying! Choosing store brands over name brands will often shave the price significantly.
10. CANNED OLIVES
11. CANNED PUMPKIN
RELATED: We suggest using the whipped cream and canned pumpkin to make this no-bake Pumpkin Pie Trifle!
12. SEASONING AND SPICES
Buy them in bulk! It could mean the difference between spending $2.50 and $6!
13. SOUP
14. CANNED VEGGIES
Jordan says they could last for 3 years or more in your pantry!
15. GRAVY SEASONING PACKETS
16. CANNED PIE FILLING
17. CANNED CRANBERRY
TRY THIS: Class Up Your Canned Cranberry Sauce
18. CANNED FRUIT
19. SUGAR
20. CHOCOLATE CHIPS
You’ll need these to make Daphne Oz’s fake-it-til-you-make-it Salted Chocolate Pumpkin Pie! (Spoiler: The pie itself is store-bought!)
21. CAKE MIX
RELATED: Cake-Over! How to Make Boxed Cake Mix Better!
22. STUFFING MIX
MAKE THIS: Apple, Celery and Onion Stuffing
23. FLOUR
24. CRACKERS
Inexpensive appetizers, anyone?
25. CHICKEN BROTH
RELATED: The Only 26 Dishes & Tips You’ll Need For Thanksgiving
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