Ways to Save on Thanksgiving Dinner Ingredients -- Savings Experiment

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner can add up fast. Here are a few simple tips on how to trim the price of your feast and get the most bang for your buck when it comes to traditional ingredients.

When you have a lot of guests to feed it's easy to overspend at the grocery store. One way to cut costs is to check out the New York Times' Thanksgiving-erator.

This handy online tool will help you design your menu based on your cooking style, ability and desired taste. With just a few clicks, the tool will generate a list of suggestions on what dishes will suit you and your guests. It offers plenty of delicious recipes, too.

Speaking of recipes, another easy way to cut back on costs is to simplify your ingredients. For instance, cornbread sausage stuffing is delicious, but the ingredients can be expensive. Keep your expenses down by making a traditional bread stuffing using cheaper white bread and nixing the meat.

Finally, make sure to buy pre-bagged produce. Since every bag costs the same, you can get more for your money by choosing the heaviest portion. Simply compare the weight of a few bags on a scale before you buy.

As you're preparing for your Thanksgiving dinner, keep these tips in mind in order to serve your guests for less.