Money Management

Now is the time to buy what you need for your Thanksgiving dinner. Find out how to feed eight people a delicious holiday meal for less than $100. 

Thanksgiving may be less than a week away — but it’s not too late to plan the perfect Turkey Day gathering. If you’re hosting the holiday dinner this year and are looking for a way to serve up a delicious spread without draining your bank account, Sam’s Club has everything you need. Sam’s Club members can get all the essentials required to prepare a filling and tasty meal that will feed at least eight people for less than $100.

The perfect holiday feast doesn’t have to break the bank

If you’re a last-minute shopper, you’re not alone. The good news is you still have time to go to the store to pick up all the ingredients you need for a delicious Turkey Day spread.

Sam’s Club members can get their shopping done and keep more money in their wallets by taking advantage of the warehouse club’s Thanksgiving meal deal.

This year, Sam’s Club has created the perfect menu that won’t break your budget, and you can get it all at your local club.

Here’s what Sam’s Club suggests you buy to feed eight people for less than $100:

Member’s Mark All-Natural Whole Raw Turkey: $1.19/lbMember’s Mark Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes (4 lbs.): $7.98Member’s Mark Macaroni and Cheese: $3.48/lb.Member’s Mark Sweet Potato Casserole (32 oz.): $11.98Member’s Mark Brussels Sprouts: $5.88/lbMember’s Mark Cranberry Crunch Salad: $5.28/lbMember’s Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls (24 ct.): $3.98Member’s Mark 9-Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake (17 oz.): $17.98

Some items mentioned above are prepackaged by weight, and others are sold by the pound. Don’t worry — we’ve done the math for you to make it easier to stay on budget as you shop.

Assuming you buy a 17-pound bird, 2.5 pounds of Macaroni and Cheese, 2 pounds of Brussels Sprouts, A 2-pound Cranberry Crunch Salad, and all the other essentials listed above, you’ll spend just over $93. We suggest adding a can or two of cranberry sauce to your cart because no Turkey Day feast is complete without it. You’ll still be under $100 at checkout.

This meal deal is an excellent option for those wanting to impress without racking up credit card debt. Even better, many items are sold already prepared, making for a less stressful holiday experience for anyone hosting. This way, you can spend more time with your favorite people.

Is a Sam’s Club membership worth it?

You’ll need to be a member to shop at Sam’s Club. You may be wondering if it’s worthwhile to join a warehouse club like this. It may be a good fit for you if you have a club near your home and can afford the yearly membership fee.

Before joining, consider how much storage space you have and whether buying in bulk makes sense for your lifestyle. With the holidays coming up, it may be nice to have access to members-only pricing on gift essentials like electronics, clothes, and household goods.

Typically, a Club membership costs $50 per year. However, the warehouse club has a limited-time membership promotion available to new members. You can join and pay only $20 for a one-year membership through Jan. 31, 2024. After the first year, the regular membership fee applies.

Some shoppers find joining a warehouse club is an excellent way to get a good deal when buying everyday goods and essentials. But luckily, that’s not the only way to save money. For more money-saving tips, check out our free personal finance resources.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Money may be tight for your business. If you can’t afford to give year-end bonuses, here are some alternatives to consider. 

Many small businesses have had a tough couple of years. Rampant inflation has forced many businesses to spend more to operate. And if you’ve needed to borrow money this year, whether in the form of a loan or credit card balance, your interest rate was likely less than favorable because that’s just the borrowing environment we’re in.

If you run a business, it’s easy to see why you may not be in a position to pay year-end bonuses to your employees. Zippia reports that only 33% of U.S. companies offer year-end bonuses, so if you skip out on them, you won’t be in the minority. But if you care about your employees, you may want to have a means of rewarding them for a job well done.

Unfortunately, you can’t make bonus money materialize if your company just doesn’t have it. But you can do these things to make up for a lack of bonuses instead.

1. Offer extra time off around the holidays

Many people find themselves unable to travel to see family during the holidays due to not having enough time off from work. If you can’t give out year-end bonuses this season, consider the gift of added time off instead. Even if you have employees who intend to stay local, they’re apt to appreciate the extra time to cook, decorate, and just plain relax.

2. Be flexible with workers’ hours during the holidays

It can be hard to shop for holiday gifts and make plans when you’re working nonstop. If you can’t give out year-end bonuses in December, consider being more flexible with scheduling at the very least. Give your employees a couple of bonus afternoons off to hit the mall so they’re not limited to evening hours only. And be willing to let people with children work from home if they lack child care during their kids’ winter break.

3. Host a fun holiday party

You may not be able to swing a hefty bonus for dozens of employees. But you can probably afford to spend a few hundred dollars to cater a nice holiday party. At the very least, give your employees an afternoon or evening of food and fun to thank them for all their hard work.

4. Be generous with praise

If your employees were to be honest, they’d probably tell you that they’d prefer a $1,000 check at the end of the year rather than some kind words and compliments. But if you can’t afford the former, the good news is that the latter is totally free. And it can still go a long way. So take the time to write each employee a personal note thanking them for their contributions and highlighting their accomplishments.

When employees don’t get perks like bonuses, morale can take a hit. That can be a dangerous thing that prompts employees to jump ship.

Rather than run that risk, do your best to make up for a lack of holiday bonuses. Also, be honest about your company’s financial situation. Explain that a lack of bonuses isn’t you being cheap — it’s a matter of money, or lack thereof. If your employees see that you’re making an effort to make up for a lack of bonuses, they may not take the news as hard.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Annoyed at having to pay Costco membership fees? Read on to see why you shouldn’t be. 

When you walk into your neighborhood grocery store, there isn’t an employee at the door asking you to show a membership card. But Costco works differently. To shop at Costco, you have to show proof of membership. You also have to pay for that membership.

A basic Costco membership costs $60 a year. An Executive membership costs $120 a year, but in exchange for that higher fee, you get to earn 2% cash back on your Costco purchases, including those you make online.

In late September, Business Insider reported that Costco made nearly $4.6 billion in fees for the past year, representing 72% of its profits. When you hear something like that, it might make you resent having to pay a fee to shop at the store. Here’s why that fee shouldn’t bother you, though.

Costco members are still benefiting in the end

Costco is a business, and all businesses have the goal of making money. That said, Costco truly has the goal of offering great value and low prices to its customers. And a big reason it charges the fees it does is to be able to offset its costs enough to make those unbelievably low prices available.

Think about it. Let’s say the cost of eggs at Costco is half of the price for them at your local supermarket. How is Costco pulling that off?

Sure, you can argue that you’re getting that discount because you’re buying your eggs in bulk. But Costco still needs to procure those eggs. And it may not be that much cheaper for Costco to get its hands on eggs than for a regular supermarket chain, since both businesses are likely buying eggs at a high volume.

Rather, a big reason you’ll pay less per egg at Costco, aside from buying in bulk, is that Costco is doing its best to keep the price down. And it can use the revenue it collects in fees to discount its eggs.

This is just one example. The point, though, is that Costco’s business model is very different from that of a regular supermarket. So while you may not love having to pay a fee to join, those fees are what help you snag the amazingly low prices you’ve come to love.

Is it worth it to keep paying those Costco fees?

If you’re annoyed at having to pay Costco fees, one thing you may want to ask yourself is how much value you think you’re getting from your membership. If you don’t shop at Costco very often, or if you find that you’re not getting much of a discount on the things you buy compared to a regular supermarket, then yes, in that case, it may be that those fees aren’t worth paying.

What you should really do is compare your Costco receipts to the prices your go-to supermarket offers. And then calculate how much you stand to save.

Let’s say you shop at Costco once a month and save $20 compared to what you’d spend for the same quantity of items at a regular supermarket. If you multiply that by 12 months, you could be adding $240 a year to your savings account. Subtract your membership fee, and you’re still coming out ahead financially by either $180 or $120, depending on which type of membership you have.

Indeed, most stores do not force customers to pay for a membership every year. But Costco isn’t most stores. And as long as you’re getting good value out of your Costco membership, you really shouldn’t get too upset about having to pay for it.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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