Check out 7 tips to save on Christmas dinner with a full table

The rise in food prices obliges Brazilians to be creative in order to guarantee a complete Christmas dinner without going into debt for next year. Planning must be done as soon as possible.

Serving traditional products was about 10% more expensive this year compared to 2021. On average, you have to spend R$ 294.75 to take Christmas birds, olive oil, box of bonbons, sparkling wine, loin, panettone, ham, turkey, cider and tender this month, according to a survey by Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets).

For those already on their budget, the pressure is even greater. “As much as the desire to socialize is great, it is important to control excesses and be attentive to credit card expenses, avoiding financial lack of control in the first months of next year”, guides Reinaldo Domingos, president of Abefin ​​(Brazilian Association of Financial Educators).

One way is to use a part of the second installment of the 13th salary, paid to those who have a formal contract until the 20th of this month, sparingly. The recommendation is to leave most of the resource to negotiate or settle debts and invest, if possible.

Before starting shopping, it is essential to add up all the expenses foreseen for December and January, when IPTU (Urban Property and Territorial Tax), IPVA (Tax on Motor Vehicle Ownership), insurance and school enrollments are charged.

“Falling into financial disarray at the end of the year is an imminent risk, even more so in this one, with the World Cup celebrations”, says Domingos. See below for more guidelines to organize the supper with peace of mind:

1- Set the number of guests in advance

• Based on this definition, it will be possible to calculate the ideal number of dishes so that the “plenty table” does not become a festival of leftovers and waste

2 – Establish an amount to be spent

• The supper must comply with the family’s standard of living
• Christmas dinner items represent a high cost in the budget not only because of inflation, but also because of the greater demand at this time of year
• Leaving home with a roof, avoids debt

3 – Choose the menu and follow the list of necessary ingredients

• The excess of varieties is one of the great causes of waste
• The best thing is to think of dishes that please everyone.
• Betting on a very colorful salad with seasonal fruits helps to satisfy the appetite.
• If the family is large, two meats as a main dish are enough.
• Chester, Tender and Peru tend to be more expensive as they are traditional at this time
• There are lower-cost recipes with pork meat and stuffed chicken that yield good options.

4 – Search and shop in different places

• Free fairs can have fresher and cheaper items
• Dried fruits and nuts can be purchased at stores that sell in bulk
• To buy items in large quantities, such as meats and drinks, there are wholesale markets
• Ordering some dishes at bakeries, restaurants or supermarkets can help you save depending on the number of guests.
• Swapping imported food and drinks for cheaper domestic items helps you stay within your budget without losing flavor or quality

5 – Don’t leave it for the last minute to avoid buying on impulse

• Going to a crowded and busy market without time and peace of mind causes stress and haste, which can lead you to pick up the most expensive and unnecessary products
• At the last minute, prices are even more expensive due to high demand.

6 – If you can, avoid the credit card

• Paying food in installments can tighten the budget for the beginning of 2023, after all there are other typical expenses, such as IPTU, IPVA and school supplies
• Accumulation of installments can lead to financial lack of control
• Among the main types of debt are the credit card, which is at the forefront, with 86.2% in October 2022, calculates the CNC (National Trade Confederation)

7 – Suggest that each guest bring a different dish or share the total purchase

• It’s a way for everyone to be a little bit responsible for the night and for no one to get into debt.
• In an organized way and proving the expenses, there will be no problems

THE Sheet wants to know how you are preparing for Christmas dinner.

Are you going to replace some typical date food this year? Are you going to stop buying any supper products? What do you intend to do or are you already doing to try to save money on this meal?

Fill in your answer on this form. Some answers will be published.