Living Frugal, Not Cheap

I was a little worried I might not be able to swing this as part of the challenge, but after looking at the menu plan and what I'd need to buy I realized I already had 90% of it in the pantry or the stockpile.

Turkey breast -- will buy this
stuffing -- on hand
gravy -- from turkey drippings, have flour on hand
blueberry pie -- have frozen berries in stockpile, pastry items on hand
dinner rolls -- breadmaking items on hand
cranberry salad -- have cranberries in stockpile, fruit, nuts, jello on hand
baked winter vegs -- potatoes, winter squash, seasoning etc on hand
cranberry juice -- bought last week
green vegetable -- will buy this when I get turkey
deviled eggs -- bought eggs last week, have mayo, etc.

The winter vegetables are from a trip to the farmer's market I made in early October. Stuff like winter squash, turnips and potatoes last a long time when bought very fresh and kept very cold. The cranberries are from a sale last winter. Luckily they keep well and don't really go bad when kept a long time in the freezer like some things can.

If I had to go out and buy all of that, I think it would cost me more than $25, but I think I'm like most people in that I have many of the things I need on hand. Flour and baking items, mayo, seasonings for the bird, packaged gelatin, potatoes, onions, eggs...

Even though there are only two of us, I make a lot of food, 8 servings or so, because I don't plan to cook the rest of the holiday weekend. We're the kind of people who will happily eat roast turkey sandwiches for 4 days after Thanksgiving and be sad when it is gone. At the end, I will pick the carcass for pot pie, and use any remaining gravy and vegetables.