I've been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the past 10 years and I can tell you, putting together a traditional holiday meal with all the fixings isn't cheap, even if you aren't serving a crowd. Over the years, I have found many ways to cut costs and get more for my money. There's a reason why my blog's slogan is "Never pay full price again"!

• If you find yourself in the position of hosting Thanksgiving this year, follow these tips and you'll save yourself a bunch of money!
• Cook the main course and ask guests to bring the side dishes and desserts.
• Check the store ads that come in the mail to see who has the best price on the things you need. Try to pair these items up with manufacturer and store coupons.
• Use your store club card to get a free or discounted turkey with grocery purchase.
• Skip deep frying the bird. Yes, it's yummy, but the oil will cost you more than the turkey itself!
• Don't go overboard with side dishes. Quality is better than quantity. Stick to the basics.
• Portion control - Only cook enough food for the number of guests you will have. At AllRecipes.com, you can tweak recipes based on how many servings you need. They also have a great article to help you guesstimate how much food to fix.
• Stuffing - Add-ins can really add up on your grocery bill. Leave out the oysters, cranberries, and sausage. Plain bread stuffing with celery and onions is a comfort food classic.
• Green beans may be a tradition, but they are not in season this time of year, which means you will be paying more. Opt for broccoli or brussel sprouts, which are much less expensive.
• Instead of spending money on an expensive centerpiece for your table, make your own using fall leaves, twigs and/or pinecones you can get for free.

What are some ways you cut back on your Thanksgiving food bill? I'd love to hear your tips and suggestions!

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