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Even if you consider yourself to be fairly intelligent, that doesn’t mean you’re immune from making money mistakes. The best among us are capable of making the biggest money blunders. It includes blunders made by the doctor who didn’t write a will and left behind six-figures in taxes due. Or the person who didn’t buy disability insurance only to develop multiple sclerosis.

The thing about this is, people are driven by their emotions. Maybe it’s pride or thinking we have everything under control. Still, a lot of us aren’t prepared for when bad things happen. We think we might be able to cross that bridge when we get there. That’s when things get sticky. Making money mistakes now will only hurt us in the long run.

“We’re emotional animals, not just rational ones,” said Jill Schlesinger, certified financial planner. “So, even otherwise intelligent people are stymied by their emotions — usually fear and greed — and their cognitive biases.” It’s essentially the fear of dwelling on what could go wrong and the assumption we can predict the future.

It can be overconfidence or a great amount of optimism, as well. For example, the guy who didn’t buy disability insurance surely didn’t think he would need it. He made the wrong prediction that nothing would happen to him. Many young people make that mistake. Then when he developed MS, it destroyed his life. He wasn’t prepared.

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How to Fix Major Money Mistakes

The solution to the ‘what ifs’ in life isn’t to calculate what might go wrong. You could be right and your life is smooth until a ripe old age. Yet, the odds of that happening are astronomical. Bad things happen to all of us. Instead, you need to calculate what the response would be if the worst did happen.

What would you lose if you developed a horrible disease or injury and couldn’t work? What if you slipped on some ice in the parking lot and broke your leg? Are you prepared for what would happen to your family if you died? From there, plan accordingly. Write out a list of all the things that could possibly leave you and/or your family vulnerable and prepare a plan.

Slowing Down and Smell the Roses

The biggest piece of financial advice we can give you to prevent money mistakes is to slow down. The whole goal of a salesperson is to create urgency. If they can get you in a panic and sell you quickly, then you can overbuy. A lot of mistakes are made when the pressure is on. You can be investing in something right now that has no value to you whatsoever.

The best way to not make any money mistakes is to slow down. Ask yourself a series of questions. What does the product or service cost? Are there any alternatives that might be better suited for my budget? Are there any fees or penalties? What if I want to stop using this product or service? What are the tax consequences?

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Finally, if you don’t know something, that’s fine. Don’t be that person who is too prideful to seek out expert help. Money mistakes don’t have to happen. Having someone on your side, who can lead to the right investments and guide you is extremely beneficial. Most Americans aren’t even sure what all their options are, leading to many money mistakes and blunders.

“We all make dumb mistakes, but some of them can be costly — and life-altering,” Schlesinger says.

Life is fun. Life is crazy. It can be heartbreaking. And in most cases, life can be quite unexpected. Things happen outside of our control all the time. No matter what we do, things happen to us, and if we’re unprepared, we will struggle. A major part of that is financially planning for all the “ifs” in life.

What if you get into an accident and miss out on several months’ worth of work? Do you have a plan if the economy takes a nosedive tomorrow and you lose your job? Can you imagine saving money for decades only to have a major event drain every dollar you have? And what about the unexpected death of a loved one…or even yourself?

These are things we don’t like to think about. Still, we must plan for them. We have to be prepared for all these situations. There’s nothing we do to avoid them and refusing to talk about it will only hurt you in the long run. Just like you try to make it to the doctor every so often for a health check-up.

Mark Rheaume, the senior wealth strategist at PNC Wealth Management, says it’s just as important to know where you’re at financially.

“As many people age, they spend a significant amount of time before doctors — focusing on their wellness and what they are ingesting,” he says. “But we often find in the financial world, there’s not a significant amount of planning done. This not only relates to their financial matters but also their estate plan and the legacy they are going to leave.”

Being Financially Prepared

It’s not enough to just have money in the bank for a rainy day. Let’s say you get incapacitated and are unable to make decisions in the moment. In that instance, having a power of attorney is essential. That will ensure your wishes are carried out. If you have considerable assets, no doubt your family will be fighting to make decisions.

This scenario has played out time and time again in courts across the country. “They are both lifetime instruments that are really critical for people to understand so they have control of their decisions, of their life and they don’t place themselves into the hands of an institution that may not know their intentions,” he says.

Still, you’re not set without a last will and testament. Many people who do plan for their eventual death don’t fully understand how it works. There are certain tax laws that can come into play as well. Having a will and trust is a great way to legally distribute your assets to your beneficiaries.

“There are often surprises contained in wills and trusts,” he says. “We have people trying to do wills themselves online and it can bring about unintended consequences. Oftentimes people don’t understand the practical impact of decisions within their will and trust.”

The Family Dynamic

Another important factor of being financially secure for the unexpected is evaluating your family financially. Where are you at right now? Do you have money in the bank? Are your kids taken care of? Are you saving for their college education? How much money do you have saved for retirement? If you live longer than you planned, are you good financially?

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“How does it all work together?” Rheaume asks. “What is the intersection and how those decisions impact those that we leave behind? What is our legacy? How thoughtful have we been with respect to what we have accumulated and what we have left behind? People spend so much time building their estates and really managing their expenses, but ultimately not dealing with the end game.”

Tax season is quickly upon us. The average American gets about $3,000 back on their tax return. The big question a lot of people have is: what do I spend it on? Sure, there are a variety of things we could do with that extra money, but if we make smart decisions, we can set ourselves up for a more financially secure 2018 and beyond. You might have in mind something you want to purchase, like that new TV. But that’s not always the best investment.

If you’re already debt-free and doing well financially, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of splurging. For the rest of us, there are some major benefits to not squandering your tax return money.

Let’s look at 5 great uses for your tax return:

1) Set Up Your Emergency Fund

You’ve been saying you want to do it for a long time now. We all WANT an emergency nest egg but often fail in creating one. It can be hard to receive a $3,000 check and decide to save it versus using it on a family vacation or buying something expensive. Despite that, the smartest decision you could make is to put that money into your savings and hold onto it.

This can serve as a great starting base. Start with your tax return and add a certain amount from each check every payday. That way, if something bad happens, you have some buffer there to protect you.

2) Improve the Value of Your Home

If there’s a part of your home that you know needs to be fixed and/or updated, this is the right time to get it done. Tax season often falls right in line with building season, so you can often get great deals on home improvement necessities. Your tax return might not cover the whole bill, but it can really help to get you started.

Even just adding a new layer or paint or replacing a few appliances can do the trick. If you don’t need an appliance upgrade, there are new advances in home technology that will make life easier and safer for your family. Your home is the largest investment most Americans have, so keeping up with improvements often pay off in the end.

3) Pay Off Some of Your Debt

If you have credit card debt or have a lot of bills due you couldn’t afford before, now is the time to take care of it. Your goal should always be to achieve financial freedom, not adding to your debt by buying more and more things. If you have a balance with a 20% interest rate, paying off that balance saves you the extra 20% you would’ve spent later.

Getting out of debt should always be among the top choices, next to building an emergency fund. A lot of people get caught up in the debt snowball that keeps rolling down the hill and getting bigger and bigger. It might suck choosing to pay some things off rather than buying that new toy, but you’ll thank yourself for the decision later. Using your tax return to pay off debt will get you to the promised land of financial freedom if you stick to it.

4) Vacation with Your Tax Return Money

This might seem counterintuitive to the points mentioned above, but if you’re in good shape and you plan on taking that vacation anyway, it’s better to pre-pay for that vacation and get it squared away. Rather than swiping the card and paying interest on your vacation later, you can pay it up front with your tax return. This method can save you a bit of money at the end of the year.

5) Make a Charitable Contribution

Charity is a wonderful way to spend your refund check. For a lot of people who are financially secure, they’re always looking for new ways give. You can make it a yearly tradition to give the money away and help those in desperate need. You can also write-off your charitable contributions the next tax season, get even more back, and do it all again.

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Whatever you do with your tax refund, enjoy the process. The extra money is the fruit of your hard-earned labor, so it’s fine even if you want to blow it on baseball cards and chewing gum. But, if you struggled in the last year financially or made a resolution to improve your situation this next year, you can use your tax return in a smart way to give yourself a boost.

As we work our way through the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a lot of things are coming to light. Most of them are not good. It reveals the true financial health of Americans as over 800,000 people were furloughed. It wasn’t too long ago, two weeks at most when most laid-off workers received their last paycheck.

Most federal workers are well paid. Nearly 100,000 of them make over $150,000 per year. This is far more than the citizen average of $51,000. Yet, these workers couldn’t go two weeks without waiting in lines to receive free bread. You see them on the news talking about how difficult it’s been since.

Sure, a lot of the government shutdown talk is most likely political maneuvering, but there’s probably truth to it as well. Americans are not prepared for any kind of emergency. A lot of that has to do with the previous recession. Here we are, ten years later, and the vast majority of us with almost no savings.

In fact, 60% of Americans have less than $1,000 saved in their bank account. 80% of us are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Nearly 13% have no health insurance. Because people aren’t saving money, nor do they have the ability to, they are woefully unprepared. The future is scary with talk of another recession on the horizon.

What Does the Government Shutdown Reveal?

The government shutdown revealed what happens to Americans when they don’t have a steady paycheck coming in. It’s always suggested that people have enough savings to live off of for at least 6 months. If they lose their job or need to take time off, then it’s okay. Financially, you won’t suffer.

When the government shutdown, it showed what even upper-middle-class Americans are dealing with. No savings. Already behind on bills. Relying on friends and family to chip in. Applying for food stamps and other benefits. Many are even quitting their federal jobs or calling in sick to work at other places.

The reality is, Americans have become complacent when it comes to saving. As they make more money, they would rather spend it. When the tax return comes in, it doesn’t go towards paying back debt. Instead, they put a down payment on acquiring new debt. They end up setting themselves back even further.

Nowhere to Go

Thankfully, the unemployment rate has dropped to record low numbers. The problem is, that doesn’t translate to much if people aren’t saving money. If the majority of Americans don’t have much in savings, how far will they get? What about the next recession? What would happen if you lost your job tomorrow?

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The government shutdown is showing the major vulnerability Americans are struggling with right now. Thankfully, they aren’t totally out of the water, as they will have backpay once they return. Still, if they’re suffering after only missing one or two paychecks, how are they prepared for a major crisis?

The next crisis won’t be a government shutdown. It will be another major recession. The best thing anyone can do is to prepare for it. Learn how to save your money, even if times are tough. Be prepared for all outcomes, even if things are going well for you today.

We’re officially less than a week from Christmas day. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have your stockings filled just yet. In fact, a lot of people still wait until the literal last minute to finish buying gifts. There’s always the sticklers and family members you don’t know how to shop for.

Then there’s the pesky budget to worry about. The Christmas season is clearly the most expensive time of year. People will spend money they don’t have to buy gifts. And it’s more than gift buying, but also food, parties, travel, and seasonal clothing. You can’t go to your office work party and NOT wear an ugly Christmas sweater!

According to ABC News, January and February see the largest increase in the number of people looking for extra work. The jump is about 25% from the rest of the year. Consumer Counseling agencies believe that this jump has a lot to do with Christmas spending in November and December. The credit card bills come in and suddenly it’s time figure out the madness.

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In reality, the smarter decision is to plan ahead of time. You’ll spend less money and not be desperate after the Christmas holiday is over. Here are 5 simple ways to do your shopping on a tight budget.

1) Plan Your Christmas Shopping Ahead of Time

Sit down at the table and write a list. Remember everyone you want to buy a gift for. Then, for every name, create a budget. Look at your bank account and determine how much money you want to spend overall, then separate that between each person you want to buy for. Don’t be afraid to cut some people out if you’re having a rough year. They’ll understand. Planning ahead is key and setting a budget will save you trouble and extra work later on.

2) Pay in Cash

This is perhaps the easiest thing you can do to prevent yourself from overspending. The amount you determine you want to spend, pull it out of the bank account. Use cash to buy everything. Once you run out, then that’s it. Christmas spending is over. Maybe add a few extra bucks just in case, but be strict on yourself.

3) Shop Alone

Many people are too easily influenced by friends and family. If they’re spending a lot of money, you’ll also want to do the same. A ‘partner in crime’ while Christmas shopping could get you buying things you don’t need nor want. So, the best thing you can do is go out alone. You’re more likely to not spend as much money that way.

4) Give Christmas a Theme

Something a lot of parents like to do is just splurge on their kids. Buy them as many presents as possible, but what really happens? They might play with a couple of them, but most of the time, they don’t. Toys end up in the closet or in a basket somewhere 99% of the time. Instead, figure out a better way to do Christmas. Some families do a “want, need, wear, and read.” Get them one toy they really want, then something they need, followed by clothes and a book.

Or you can decide it’s time to do something different altogether. Christmas is the giving season, after all. If money is tight, there’s no better time to give more of yourself rather than just money. Serve at a soup kitchen. Do something different that takes money out of the equation.

5) Don’t Be Afraid of Discount Stores

Discount stores are where you’ll find the biggest bang for your bucks. They’re especially helpful if you choose to make gifts or need cheap decorations. If you have nieces and nephews, you can’t go wrong with coloring books and non-expensive gifts from the Dollar Store. And there’s nothing wrong with inexpensive clothes from Walmart. Save money!

The holiday season is a favorite time of year for a lot of people. The lights, the decorations, the food, and family gatherings. It’s a great time, but underneath every smiling face and ugly Christmas sweater is a lot of stress. The pressure to get it right and keep up with chaotic schedules can be too much.

According to a survey, 31% of the country describes the Christmas season as ‘frantic’. 41% say they work way too hard to create a ‘perfect Christmas’. A survey conducted by NBC News found that 45% of Americans would rather skip the season altogether. There’s a lot of social and financial pressure that comes with the holiday season.

In total, around 47% of people feel a sense of ‘dread’ when they think about the amount of money they might spend. And if you’ve been spending any time with us, you know budgets are short. Millennials are especially in a tight spot when it comes to Christmas celebrations.

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A lot of people often spend way more than they can afford on Christmas. They’re not afraid to take out loans and max out credit cards. Rather than wrecking your brain with holiday stress, there are several ways you can relax. You can survive Christmas if you plan it outright. Let’s look at 10 ways you can save money:

1) Create a Spending Limit

Listen, you know what you can afford and what you can’t. I know, you have a lot of family and friends to buy gifts for. But there’s no reason to go into debt or to destroy your budget. The way around that is to actually look at your budget and designate exactly how much you can spend. And don’t a penny more!

2) Create a List and Check It Twice

After you’ve decided how much money you’re going to spend, create a list. Write down all the loved ones, friends, co-workers, and anyone else. Then, budget out your money. Decide who gets what amount. It’s also important to keep in mind that maybe not everyone gets a Christmas gift this year. They’ll completely understand if you’ve had a rough year.

3) Use Cash

Another trick to prevent you from overspending is to use cash only. Once you’ve decided your budget, pull that amount out of your account. Once the cash is gone, that’s it. So is your Christmas budget. Put away the credit cards and save yourself the hassle and stress that will come the following month.

4) Buy Christmas Gifts Early

One downfall about everyone buying gifts online is the time it takes for those items to ship. Are you afraid you might not get something on time? That can force a person to pay extra to expedite the item. Save money by buying early!

5) Go About Christmas Differently

If you don’t have the money for a bunch of expensive gifts, that’s fine! Maybe you have some money to bake a bunch of Christmas cookies and hand those out instead. Hey, they’ve always said the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Consider making a special Christmas breakfast. It’s the thought that counts!

6) Teach Different Christmas Traditions

Kids really get spoiled throughout the year. Most of the toys they want will become theirs. We spoil them on their birthdays as well. Make the holidays about something else. Sure, you can still get them presents, but in a month, they’ll forget all about them. Why not do a cheap Christmas and do something else instead? Find a way to serve the community. Teach the importance of giving!

It’s hard to imagine, but another recession might be on the horizon. You might be thinking, “Didn’t we just barely escape the last one?” With the economy doing so well, you might not believe it. The job market is better than it’s ever been. Businesses are making money hand over fist. So, why all the doom and gloom?

Yesterday, the stock market took an 800-point nosedive. This isn’t the only time it has tanked under the Trump administration. If you ask them, they will deny anything bad is going on. But if there’s one thing about Trump, it’s that he’s unpredictable. His trade war with China is making it difficult for certain businesses that should be thriving under his economy.

General Motors is having problems and wants to cut jobs. So, why the mixed messages? The stock market reached record heights, but now it’s falling? Black Friday and Cyber Monday had record numbers, but many stores are closing. Something strange is surely going on in the United States. Is it time to panic about another recession?

In reality, many experts predict yes. Others say no. There’s more good stuff going on than bad right now, so it’s too early to tell. Regardless, it’s important to be prepared for all outcomes! The problem is, a lot of people don’t know how to use prosperous times to prepare for that next downturn.

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Human Nature

There’s no doubt that human nature comes into play. When we end up with more money in our pockets, our first inclination is to spend it! We get it in our heads that things are looking up, so it’s the perfect time to put a down payment on a bigger house. We turn in the car for a newer model. That new 60-inch 4K ultra high-definition TV in time for the big game sounds great!

We LOVE to spend money, especially when we have it, and even when we don’t. It’s perfectly fine to take a few extra bucks and enjoy the fruit of your labor. But what are you doing to protect yourself from the next recession? You know it’s coming, so why not prepare for it?

Learning from the Past Recession

One of the biggest lessons from past economic crisis has been how quickly everything can go down. The collapse of 1929 happened over one weekend in October, fueling what is known as The Great Depression. One Thursday, the economy decided to take a dive and by Tuesday the next week, investors had lost their life savings. It didn’t fully recover for another two and a half decades.

The 2008 crash happened in a single day. On September 28th of that year, investors pulled over $140 billion from the market. It sent Americans into one of the worst recessions in our country’s history. The scary thing is, it could’ve been much worse had it not been for Ben Bernanke recognizing the signs.

Preparing for the Worst

Knowing that a recession can come at any time, it’s in your best interest to prepare for it. Here are 3 ways you can be prepared:

1) Have an Emergency Fund

The FIRST thing you should do with your finances is to set up an emergency fund of at least $1,000. That’s before you start paying off debt or investing your money. Even then, $1,000 will only get you so far. When you sit down to plan the bills, make sure you can afford to divert a certain amount into your savings.

You could lose your job suddenly. Having a decent cushion under you will protect you for several months while you work out your options. If you live paycheck-to-paycheck, life will get immensely difficult if you get canned and you’re broke. While good times might inspire you to buy the next big toy, make sure you have a comfortable cushion first.

2) Diversify Your Investments

As the saying goes, don’t put all your eggs into one basket. When a recession happens, it usually involves the stock market and the value of the dollar. While the stock market will probably take a tumble, that doesn’t mean every single stock will crash and burn. There will still be some industries that thrive, even while others struggle to breathe.

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With a diversified portfolio, your chances of losing EVERYTHING goes down significantly. For example, during the 2008 crash, the value of gold rose to record levels. The same was true for silver and other precious metals. Look up depression and recession-proof industries and make wise investments for the future.

3) Get Creative About Additional Sources of Income

As tough as the 2008 crash might’ve been, the internet was sort of a savior. There are currently record numbers of people trying their hand at online entrepreneurship. They started learning about internet marketing, e-commerce, affiliate marketing, and so much more. It paid off for them.

Moms took to Facebook, selling items and starting miniature businesses that helped bring in more cash for the family. Even if you don’t need the extra cash now, it will benefit you in the future to have an additional source of income. Start by joining Facebook groups and investing in materials written by the experts to show you how to get started.

Despite good economic times, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst to happen. Life is unpredictable and a recession can happen no matter the economy or the season. Be fully prepared before you start spending that extra money.

If you’re looking for a great way to save money, you might consider an IRA or a 401(k), but there’s an even better way to do it. It’s called a Health Savings Account and it has one of the better returns on the market today.

Imagine being able to put up money towards a high-deductible plan, and over time, that investment grows 100% tax-free. When you’re ready to pull out the investment, it’s not taxed then either. This is a great, strategic way to save a lot of money without tons of fees and taxes added on.

Health Savings Account Good for Retirement?

According to Christine Benz, the personal finance director at Morningstar, the answer is a resounding yes!

“The best use for an HSA is the healthy, wealthy person who leaves their Health Savings Account untouched until retirement,” Benz said. “They’re the ones who will benefit the most tax-wise.”

For this to work, you should have the money to save, meaning that you should put in your full contribution each year. That’s about $3,450 per year as an individual. For the rest of your family, the cost is about double that.

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Health Savings Account or Retirement Fund?

The first decision you’ll have to make is how you plan on using this fund. Its success as an investment hinges on you being able to pay for most of your health care out of pocket so you’re not dipping into your Health Savings Account funds. If you put up that money only to use it at some point that same year, it’s not going to work out.

At that point, it becomes a simple spending account. You put money in, you take it out as you need it. A retirement fund should be a place to stash away money and you leave it alone to accumulate interest. Once you’re 65, you can start pulling out the money for non-healthcare related expenses.

Do Your Research

When looking around for health savings accounts for retirement, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Some of the options that exist today are limited in their scope and provide little benefit to you. Even if you already have a Health Savings Account set up and find a better one, you can switch accounts, providing a lifeline to those who feel caught in the wrong type of plan.

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Even if you’ve already started saving into your IRA, the IRS has provisions to allow you to move your funds from that IRA into a Health Savings Account one time. This is a great way to pay off a large, immediate medical bill tax and interest-free.

If you put that bill on your credit cards or use a funding source your doctor provides, you’re going to pay a lot more in the long run. Converting your IRA into your Health Savings Account is a great way to cover the bill.

Of course, the best option is to not touch it, but having money in your Health Savings Account is a great way to have peace of mind that an emergency will be covered. If you’re healthy or can afford to pay for medical expenses out of pocket, that’s the best way to go to save your HSA as a retirement fund.

As goes the famous Charlie Brown song: Christmas time is here! That means it’s also time to spread some cheer. A week from now, Thanksgiving will be had. Immediately after, throngs of people will push each other down for the latest gifts at the best prices. But you don’t have to skip out on your family meal to get the best deals. You have Amazon Prime!

More people than ever before use Amazon Prime to do their shopping. And when the Christmas season rolls around, it’s the perfect time to save money.

In the United States, there are over 55 million users of Amazon Prime. That’s a lot of people! The biggest internal debate over whether you should become a Prime member is often based on the value the service gives you.

Lifehacker had a user write them and ask if Amazon Prime was worth the yearly subscription (they now offer monthly as well), and they broke down the numbers. You’d have to use Prime on average of 10-20 times per year for it to be worth the cost just in saving on free shipping alone.

Those numbers don’t even count the other benefits you hopefully take advantage of, including the Prime library that contains thousands of movies and TV shows at no cost. It’s as close to Netflix as you can get, but the price of which is part of your payment.

Despite the obvious ways most users know, there are several other ways you can better take advantage of your subscription and save even more hard-earned cash.

Get into the Amazon Prime Subscription Game

You’ll never have to buy toiletries and non-perishables at the store again! You can save the extra time and hassle by using your Prime account. There are various items for sale that you can set to a regular subscription. That means toilet paper, cleaning supplies, diapers, coffee, cereal, chips, and anything else you can think of that doesn’t rot can be sent to your door.

If you can subscribe to 5 different products that are set to arrive at your door each month, Amazon will give you a 15% discount on those items. This is perfect for the busy person or anyone who hates to shop. It significantly cuts down on the time and money you spend at the store.

You Can Price Match That.

Did you know that Amazon honors price matching? If we plan to make a larger purchase, you’ll want to shop around to get the most bang for our buck. We will even avoid buying something if we’re worried it might go on sale at another date. With your Prime account, you’ll no longer have to worry!

If you make a purchase and the price goes down later, you can contact them directly and get the difference back. There’s also a site called camelcamelcamel that allows you to track the history of the product you’re looking for to see what it was priced at before. It sounds like Amazon is going out of its way to save users money!

Book Lovers Should Be Happy

It’s no mystery that Amazon changed the game.  Books are no exception! With the invention of the Kindle, you can store hundreds of books on your device and take with you everywhere you go. It does take the nostalgia out of buying a brand-new hardcover, but you can get those on Amazon too!

Amazon pretty much put the book business out of business and even has its own publishing division. Talk about making a commitment to the written word! And if you can’t get enough of the written word, Amazon has more for you to enjoy. They offer a massive selection of books up to 80% off with your subscription.

The benefits of your Amazon Prime subscription are vast. There’s no doubt that most people can’t save a lot of money throughout the year by being a member. They even offer coupons you and look for by typing “Amazon Prime Coupons” and an entire page will show up. Happy saving!

Here at Financial Helpers, we understand how tough it is to keep to a budget. This is especially true if you’re dealing with student loan debt. Most of our content has pointed out the fact that many families are still struggling to get by. The holidays are an extreme source of anxiety for many with a tight budget and Thanksgiving close to the top of the list. We all want to be able to celebrate in peace.

Thanksgiving is meant to be a time when family and friends gather together. Amazing food, great wine, and football on TV. Turkey legs, cranberry sauce, and enough stuffing to get you through until Christmas. The holidays are an amazing time for all…but only if you can afford to enjoy it. Many families have no choice but to figure out a way to cut back their expenses.

The Cost of Thanksgiving

According to data from LendEDU, the average person will spend around $100 for Thanksgiving. This number does not include travel expenses. Of course, this is estimated but on the low end of the spectrum. It can cost hundreds of dollars when you include travel, decorations, or even deciding to buy name brand products. Add alcohol, desserts, and side dishes to the mix.

“You have to be a creative cook,” says Phil Lempert, grocery expert, and food industry analyst. “A lot of your menu depends on who you’re inviting over: people with allergies, gluten-free, people who don’t like turkey. Plan out as much as possible.”

Just like with everything else, if you have a tight budget, then you need to plan ahead. Create a plan of action now rather than waiting until a few days before Thanksgiving. Here are five ways you can save big bucks on your Thanksgiving feast.

1) Make It a Potluck Party

An easy solution to your problem of hosting a big dinner is changing how it’s done. Most people, especially family members, will understand that you have a tight budget this year. Tell them you’re excited to host. You can buy a few decorations at the dollar store, cut your own napkins, and buy a bird.

You can save money is by asking those who are coming to bring a dish. And Judy is known for her cakes, to have her bring dessert. Grandpa Joe does the bird every year. And you know cousin Marla can’t live without that cranberry sauce. Is not just cheap for you but cheap for everyone else as well to bring a dish to pass. Besides, that’s how the first Thanksgiving was done.

2) Budget What You Can Afford

Again, do not wait until a few days before Thanksgiving. It’s early November right now. Take out a piece of paper and go over your budget. Decide what you can afford and plan the menu from there. Look at the weekly ads, cut coupons, and figure out which stores are having the best deals. If you’re on the shorter end of the budget, just buy one pie instead of three.

“Planning out the menu by the person is expensive,” Lempert says. “If you try to do everything for everyone, you’re going to waste a lot of money. You’re not saving any money if you’re throwing away a lot of food.” Make out a list of everyone who is coming, right down dietary restrictions for each person. From there, you can figure out how to plan the right amount of food.

Another reason why you should shop early is that stores will have an abundance of product at that time. It’s when sales will be at their best. The closer we get to Thanksgiving, the less product they’ll have and the more on-demand they’ll be. Prices will go up. Be prepared and shop as early as possible.

3) Free Food is Available

If you’re really bad off this year, there are options in most communities for receiving a free turkey. A lot of churches hand out turkeys to the poor. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of a handout, you might find stores with the free turkey promotion. A lot of the major grocery chains will offer a free turkey if you spend a certain amount of money on other dinner items.

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Keep your eye on the coupon circulars. You can follow The KrazyCouponLady.com to see which stores offer this deal. “If you’re a person that doesn’t usually look into the ads, this might be a reason to do so,” says Joanie Demer, co-founder of TheKrazyCouponLady.com. “That could be $15 you’re saving on a turkey.”

4) Wine

If it’s customary to have wine at your table during the holidays, you don’t have to go all out. Finding good wine at a cheap cost is easy to do. Rather than hitting the expensive stores, you can find cheap wine at places like Walgreens. Most stores have an alcohol aisle with varying degrees of prices.

5) Decorating for Dinner

This was briefly touched on earlier, but you don’t have to roll out the red carpet and go big for Thanksgiving. It’s autumn, which means most of the country has organic materials outside their home. Go grab a few pinecones and leaves from your yard. And going to the dollar store for a few other things won’t hurt either.