A Thanksgiving turkey advertised for pennies per pound—or even for free—can look like one of the easiest ways to save on the holiday meal. But when shoppers get to the fine print, they may discover that the deal requires spending a certain amount on groceries first. Some promotions also require a loyalty card, a qualifying transaction, or purchases made over several weeks.
These offers are not necessarily bad deals. Grocery stores use turkey promotions to encourage customers to do more of their holiday shopping in one place, and shoppers who already need the qualifying groceries may benefit. The catch is that a low turkey price does not automatically mean a lower grocery bill. Before chasing a promotion, it is worth checking how the minimum works and whether you would spend that money anyway.
