Food, Finances, and Family: 6 Tips for Surviving the Weekend

Thanksgiving is here! Oftentimes, the holiday of gratitude comes with a price: weight gain, debt, and family brawls (to say the least). Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list to survive the weekend in one piece. Below are some tips for excelling in the food, finances, and family departments.

1. Eat Breakfast: It’s tempting to save that vital space in your stomach for the big event, but if you eat a nutritious breakfast, your appetite will be a little more manageable. Your waistline will thank you.

2. Set a Budget: Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our bank accounts can take quite a blow this weekend. To help yourself control your spending habits, set limits to how much you can spend. If you want to be extra serious about your spending, pay for everything in cash. That way, when there’s no more green, there’s no more shopping.

3. Invite “Buffers” to Dinner: We all have those family members that cause conflict at every gathering. However, most people are better behaved when strangers are around. If you know that your troubled siblings can maintain civility around outsiders, get inviting!

4. Go Easy On the Additives: sugar, fat, and calories run rampant during Thanksgiving, but they don’t need to. Consider using fat-free broth and less oil and butter when cooking. If you’re just there to enjoy the food, try using less gravy, butter, and salt when you can help it.

5. Kill Two Birds With One Stone: Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday this year, you know. Recognizing that you will most likely need to buy gifts for family and friends throughout the year (or at least upcoming December holidays), make a recipient list and keep an eye out for gifts while your out shopping around. That way, you’ll save time and money.

6. Make A Seating Chart: Even though we’re on vacation from school doesn’t mean that seating charts need to be banished as well. Recognize troublesome individuals in your family and strategically place them far away from their argumentative counterparts. If you need to, talk with a more level-headed guest and ask them to sit next to them to curb any sensitive topics before they get out of hand.