Are you looking for easy ways to stay within a budget on your holiday menu? Check out these tips, brought to you by mybanktracker.com 1. Budget and plan a menu Estimate how many guests will attend and who will bring a dish. Set a budget and break that down to cost per serving(s). Then you can start looking at recipes to see what you can afford. 2. MacGyver your meals and improvise or substitute Don’t buy an expensive ingredient just because a recipe calls for it. Look for a substitute. If a recipe calls for a tablespoon of wine and you won’t drink the rest, substitute with diluted vinegar (use twice as much water), lemon juice or tart juice. Mayo, sour cream and yogurt are almost interchangeable, so shop the sales. This works for dips, dressings, quiches and casseroles. 3. Price out each ingredient in the recipe before heading to the store Make sure to review all ingredients before buying. You’ll avoid getting to the last one to find out it costs $25, like truffle oil, sa...