Stress-Free Tips on How to Shop for Thanksgiving Groceries -- Savings Experiment

Whether you've been shopping for weeks or are waiting until the last minute, buying groceries for Thanksgiving can be an expensive and stressful endeavor. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your time and money.

First, get to the store before 10 a.m. to avoid crowds. You'll also have the benefit of shopping restocked shelves. When it comes to your shopping strategy, start in middle save perishables for last so they can get home in mint condition.

Ready-made pies care budget killers. If you just don't have the time or the skills to bake your own, buy pre-made pie crust. It's still more expensive than making it yourself, but will still be cheaper than buying a ready-made pie. Remember, one 9-inch pie usually serves about six to eight people.

The bar is most expensive aspect of throwing a dinner party. To avoid over-purchasing, buy one bottle of wine for every three guests, and plan on serving two to three beers per person.

Turkeys are costly and leftovers lose appeal quickly. Make sure you have 1.5 pounds of turkey per guest, and consider buying separate breasts and legs instead of an additional bird to save money.

In-season vegetables are the way to go. Not only will they be easy on your wallet, but they'll taste delicious. When it comes to mashed potatoes, plan on purchasing three golden potatoes per person. For maximum flavor, buy fresh herbs in bulk. They're cheaper than dried herbs and can be frozen for later use.

Hosting Thanksgiving is a lot of work, but if you use these tips to navigate your grocery list, you'll be able to shop like a pro without breaking the bank.