HERNANDO, Miss — Christie Barclay, a grandmother of 12, is used to feeding many people around the holidays. She loves cooking for her family, but she knows it can get expensive quickly.
"I think the big thing is it doesn’t have to break the bank," Barclay said. "You just have to plan."
The Barclay's enjoy the Thanksgiving staples like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey, and cornbread among other dishes. She's found the best deals at Dollar General for canned goods and Walmart for the turkey.
Barclay can feed 18 people and have leftovers without spending more than $50.
"About a month ahead of time when I start looking for turkeys that’s when you’re going to get your good deals," Barclay said. "You don’t want to wait until the day before or the week before because it’s going to have slim pickings."
It's become a part of the holiday tradition for Barclay and her daughters to find the best deals on food. She and her family will comb through ads and savings apps, like Ibotta, for the best ways to save money.
"Preparation is key, but it doesn’t have to be a chore," Barclay said. "You can do it in your off time. I do it with my daughter it’s kind of fun and let’s see where we can find the best prices."
She said right now is the perfect time to stock up on deals and it'll likely save you some stress the days before Thanksgiving.
"You get it now, get it this weekend, put it in the freezer, just take it out in time to thaw it enough for Thanksgiving," Barclay said.