The Tub Pros would like to wish everyone in the Mid-South Memphis metro area, Mississippi and Arkasas a wonderful and blessed 2022 Thanksgiving. Many families in the Mid-South are starting to prepare for their favorite holiday traditions. While Thanksgiving meals and celebrations vary between families, most include gatherings of loved ones and a delicious meal that pulls out all the stops. Unfortunately, we are also experiencing the effects of inflation around the Thanksgiving meal.
Skyrocketing grocery prices in 2022 might throw some uncertainty (and an opportunity for creativity) into the mix. Food prices have gone up a whopping 11.4% over the past year, with everything from specialty ingredients to staples like eggs, bread, milk, meat, and flour jumping in price. Food prices change in response to global events—like war, diseases, and droughts—and hurt your wallet more than many other price changes because consumers need to eat and these purchases are usually made weekly.
In fact, 88% of Americans are cutting back this year and reducing the number of dishes on the table, and 25% are skipping the holiday completely. But even with soaring grocery prices, Thanksgiving remains possible—and could be more enjoyable than ever with some new traditions. Here, we’ll break down some tips for a budget-friendly Thanksgiving, and let you know how The Tub Pros can help keep the budget rolling and your space looking great for the holiday season.
Plan your menu – Consider a potluck
One of the best steps you can take is to form a detailed plan before you start shopping or cooking. Figure out how much food and how many dishes you want to prepare and lay out a realistic budget for your family, keeping your must-have dishes in mind. Figuring out the stores that will give you the best deals and clipping coupons can also help you to plan out the shopping list, and can help you avoid making impulse purchases.
But when you’re making this list, keep in mind that you don’t need to prepare a whole meal yourself. Asking guests to bring a dish is a great way to cut down on the amount of groceries you need to buy and share the cost with others. This will reduce the amount of dishes you need to prepare, which can save you time and energy in addition to money. This is also a great way to share the fun and make memories—guests often like to share their favorite holiday recipes and it can be a way for others to contribute and try new things.
Cook from scratch – Keep it simple
When you’re making that shopping list, consider where you can cut costs. Premade dishes—like turkeys that come partly prepared, or store-bought stuffing and premade mashed potatoes and pies can often be more expensive than their make it yourself, counterparts. Doing a bit more labor yourself can help to save some costs, though remember to balance the work that you can realistically do with those cost-saving measures—if you’ll have to invest in a new mixer, for example, you probably aren’t making the most cost-efficient decision.
One of the great things about cooking from scratch is that you can often choose recipes that have lots of overlap in terms of ingredients. Choosing stuffing and side dishes that both use celery, onion and thyme, for example, can save you from purchasing totally different ingredients and only using a little of each. Many Thanksgiving dishes use regular household staples like flour, sugar, and butter/margarine and are often even more delicious when you keep them simply homemade.
Try new dishes – New traditions
Don’t be afraid to try out something new. For example, turkey can be one of the most expensive things on the table. For only a few guests, you might decide instead to cook just a turkey breast rather than the whole bird. Or try out something new altogether and roast a chicken or pork loin. And if purchasing alcohol, which is another big expense and can stop you from having the budget to buy ingredients for other favorite dishes, try dressing up a less-pricey apple cider or punch with some whole spices or floating fruit slices.
And if a Thanksgiving dinner isn’t in the cards / or the budget his year, don’t be afraid to try something new. A cocktail party or themed dinner can be just as much fun without the expense of a huge meal. A brunch, picnic, or grill-out could be another way to avoid a huge grocery bill while also making memories with family and friends.
Have fun!
Remember that the holiday season, while often stressful, is about spending time and making memories with loved ones. It can be stressful to feel you have to meet high standards or host a perfect holiday, but don’t let it get in the way of having fun. Everyone understands that this year is not the same as last year or the year before. “Change happens…as they say”
Spending time together is the most important part—whether you host a potluck, make a simple meal together, chip in together on your favorite takeout, or pull out all the stops on a multi-course traditional meal. Remember to keep enjoyment, rather than tradition, at the front of your mind. You might end up making some new traditions and have a very memorable year to look back on.
How The Tub Pros can help me
At The Tub Pros, we’re proud to be the leading refinishing service in the Mid-South. When you’re getting your Thanksgiving plans prepared for a fantastic holiday, you might also have other projects on your list that you hope to have completed before any family or friends arrive. Tired countertops, cracked sinks, or chipped tubs and showers can leave your space looking old, tired, worn out.
That’s where refinishing comes in. Whether you’re wondering “where can I find Corian countertop repair near me in Memphis?” Are you looking for porcelain sink crack repair, or searching for faux granite countertops, we’re here to help you get your home looking and functioning at its best, on a budget and for a fraction of the cost of a full remodel. Even better – we also offer accessibility features, like bathtub seats for the elderly or Safeway Steps for those who have houseguests or older relatives coming to visit, or who want to improve their space and make a relaxing bath or shower accessible to everyone during the stressful season.
So when you’re looking for shower, tile, counter, sink, or bathtub reglazing near me, call The Tub Pros at (901) 871-8827 or use our online contact tool to get a free project estimate. Let’s get started on your kitchen improvement project today. Additional free value added information can be found in our website article library.
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