Thanksgiving turkey: 3 tips to reduce costs before buying
Thanksgiving just weeks away and dinner plans already made, Americans across the United States make one of the most expensive meals of the year.
In 2017, Americans estimated $ 2.98 billion on Thanksgiving dinner. While the large size of the dinner undoubtedly contributes to the high price, turkey largely consists of a large portion of this price, with almost 50 percent of the total cost of the average Thanksgiving dinner being used on turkey alone.
So whether you are going to participate in a potluck or serving the dinner yourself, here are three things to keep in mind when buying Thanksgiving turkey to maximize your savings:
1[ads1]. Where to buy your turkey case: [19659005] Map of the United States – Vector Illustration
Although many consumers realize that the price of turkey varies significantly, depending on the store where the turkey is purchased, few consumers find that the price of turkey varies considerably also by region in the United States.
According to the US Department of Agriculture data, turkeys sold in northeast have the highest prices, ranging from 59 cents to $ 1.49 per pound. The Midwest, however, has some of the lowest turkey prices, from 49 cents to 99 cents.
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So if you host a potluck and have friends or family visiting from the Midwest, ask them to buy turkey.
2. Turkish size is dependent on party size:
Crops are cut during a party at a dining table
To minimize your costs, make sure you do not buy a larger turkey than you need. The Food Network recommends budgeting 1 pound to 1.5 pounds turkey per person.
Wasting residual turkey is not only wasteful, but it also costs. The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that Americans throw out around 204 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving, and struggle more than 293 million dollars.
So before buying your turkey, solidify your guest list and note some guests who do not eat turkey.
3. Read the labels:
A "Tom Turkey" fleet goes down to the 6th avenue during the 89th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan, New York, November 26, 2015.
For those who prefer to eat organic or free poultry, prepare to pay a premium. While prices vary from shop and place, organic and free-flowing turkeys can cost up to seven times more than normal turkeys.
If you try to minimize costs and feel good about buying a regular turkey, make sure you read labels. Otherwise, you can inadvertently pay a premium for a free or organic bird.
