With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations.
From finalizing your menu to prepping the kitchen, grocery shopping is one thing you don't want to slip through the cracks. If you’re not careful, little mistakes will add unnecessary stress that might cause you to go over budget, forget items that you need and ultimately derail your Thanksgiving plans.
To ensure you enjoy a stress-free holiday, here are four common mistakes you can avoid while shopping.
Not Having a Shopping List
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when shopping for Thanksgiving is going to the store without a clear plan. Without a shopping list, it’s easy to either overbuy—leading to wasted food and unnecessary costs—or underbuy, leaving you scrambling for missing ingredients or not having enough food to feed your guests.
The key to avoiding this mistake is to be very strategic about what you need when making your shopping list. Start by estimating the number of guests you’re hosting, and be sure to account for leftovers. Get the basics, like turkey, potatoes and cranberry sauce, and then add any special ingredients for sides, desserts or drinks. If you can, categorize your list by store sections (produce, dairy, frozen, etc.) to make shopping faster and more efficient. And don’t forget to check your pantry and fridge to avoid buying duplicates of items you already have.
Taking your time to curate your order on Instacart will give you the chance to be selective about what you order without the hassle of in-store chaos. Prepare your order and have it delivered on time and earn up to 10.1% Cash Back.
Not Planning Ahead
Whether this is your first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner or you’ve done it countless times, it’s tempting to think you can wing your grocery shopping trip. However, trying to grab ingredients on the fly or at the last minute is a recipe for disaster. Not only will you miss out on potential sales and discounts, but you will find that key ingredients are sold out or overpriced when you need them most.
To avoid this, start planning your Thanksgiving menu and a coinciding shopping list at least a week in advance. This gives you time to scout early-bird deals, track down particular items and avoid all the chaos of last-minute shopping.
For instance, shopping online at our participating grocery retailers like Kroger is the perfect way to get all the fresh groceries you need for a well-planned dinner. You can earn 4.04% Cash Back on your order too!
Ignoring Return Policies
When you're shopping for Thanksgiving, it’s easy to grab items impulsively. But before committing to any purchases, especially big-ticket items like cookware or serving dishes, make sure you understand the store's return policy.
Some retailers have special holiday return windows, while others have stricter guidelines. It's essential to know these details in case something goes wrong or if you end up with excess items that you don't need. For any major purchases, especially electronics or larger appliances, consider reading reviews and ensuring that you’re getting a product you can return if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Bed Bath & Beyond has a large selection of cookware, decor and other holiday dinner essentials. So, if you find yourself in need of a new turkey roaster, consider shopping online at Bed Bath & Beyond—you can earn 11% Cash Back!
Not Using TopCashback
Thanksgiving shopping is expensive, and every little bit of savings counts. Many stores offer promotions, discounts and Cash Back opportunities, so why not take advantage of them?
Sign up for loyalty programs and check for available coupons before you shop. Doing your grocery shopping through TopCashback.com from the comfort of your home can also help you save on your grocery bill by getting a percentage of your purchase back. You can pick up your order or have it delivered to your home—and avoid shopping in store! To maximize savings, pair our Cash Back offers with store promotions and discount codes. You might even want to use a rewards credit card to earn additional points or Cash Back on your Thanksgiving purchases.
TopCashback offers money back from various grocery stores. Whether you shop at Safeway, Stop & Shop, Giant Food, Albertsons or ACME Markets, you can expect to get Cash Back when you purchase through our site.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and gratitude, not stress and scrambling. By planning ahead, sticking to your list, and taking advantage of discounts and Cash Back offers, you can ensure that your shopping experience is smooth and enjoyable.
What Thanksgiving shopping mistakes have you made in the past? Let us know in the comments below, and share your tips for a successful holiday season!
by Destiny Chatman
Destiny Chatman is a Public Relations Coordinator at TopCashback. After graduating and diving headfirst into the world of PR, she found her niche as a consumer expert, fueled by a passion for writing. When not crafting the perfect pitch, you can find her lost in a book, hunting for treasures at thrift stores, or mastering the art of TikTok scrolling.
