I am thinking of getting side dishes from a dollar store near me. Anyone done this and if so what is the same, similar to other grocery stores? Thinking of trying to save money on cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatos etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to cook for 10 people and with the prices now and inflation being the way it is, I am trying to be frugal in the places I can.
Trying to save money on Thanksgiving groceries at the Dollar Store.
byu/_Dapper_Dragonfly inFrugal
Posted by _Dapper_Dragonfly
8 Comments
Ask your guests to bring sides instead.
Aldi, Aldi, Aldi.
Typically dollar stores do not provide the best value for money, especially if you’re buying for a large group.
Aldi regularly wins awards for being the most affordable place to shop and I’d seek one out if I were in your circumstances.
Alternatively, as someone else has already said, ask each guest to bring a side dish to help spread the cost.
Dollar store products are usually cheaper than other stores because their products are smaller, the price per ounce is usually actually higher. You’d probably be much better off shopping at Walmart or Aldi, especially since you’re cooking for 10.
It will always be cheapest, and better tasting, to make the sides yourself. You can get a huge bag of potatoes for less than $5, and all you really need extra is butter and milk.
Check the holidays sales at the grocery stores, because a lot of the Thanksgiving stuff is on sale.
Try browsing the flyers for the biggest savings, that’s what we are doing.
Dollar store products are not cheaper on Thanksgiving because those are a fixed price and the dollar store has raised prices here, its a sure bet that their prices are not going to be cheaper than grocery stores. I am going to save by watching the flyers and buying the loss leaders at each store.
I’m not sure where in the US you live but a local chain store will have better deals and quality than the dollar store will.
Bags of potatoes and onions are about $2-3 currently as loss leaders near me.
Bake your own bread or rolls.
All the canned stuff is also on sale now because it’s seasonal.
Do you have an Aldi or grocery outlet near you? Cub foods or WinCo? Those have the lowest prices on things always.
Look up dollar tree dinners on tiktok! She always does a whoke Thanksgiving meal for super cheap every year!
What other grocery stores do you have access to? Especially with pre-Thanksgiving sales going on, you’ll probably make out better at Aldi, Lidl, or ShopRite/similar stores.
Fresh vegetables, if you can manage, will taste better than canned/boxed and you’ll likely save money since you’re cooking for 10. You can get a large bag of fresh carrots or a bag of potatoes for about the same price as the amount of cans or boxes you’d have to buy to feed 10 anyway.