YAKIMA -- Thanksgiving isn't just a day of thanks. It's a single day out of the entire year to splurge on food! But the slipping economy has plenty of families counting pennies rather than their blessings. Georgina Clark's family is one of them. This is the first year she isn't preparing a thanksgiving dinner.

"I'm either gonna go to my sister's in Everett or I'm going to spend it with some friends," says Clark.

Julie Doane has worked at Albertsons on Lincoln Avenue for a decade. She says the answer to Clark's problem is simple- buy a prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Doane says if you want to save money, it's best to skip the traditional homemade dinner this year.

Doane explains, "in the long run, I think it's cheaper."

For $60, Albertsons sells a complete Thanksgiving dinner that serves up to a family of eight. Subtract the green beans from that package, and Safeway sells their complete meals for $40. But are these store made dinners really cheaper than a homemade one? Action News did the shopping to find out.

Our bill totaled $73 for a complete homemade dinner. That's $13 more than Albertsons' prepared dinners and $33 more than Safeway's meals. It seems if you want more for your dollar, then store made Thanksgiving dinners may be the way to go.

Another way to save money is to keep your eyes open for turkey deals a lot of grocery stores are having this week. Fred Meyer is offering a free turkey up to 20 pounds if you spend $150 in the store.

Action News Reporter Audrey Asistio's Shopping List:

White Eggs- $1.25
Milk- $1.89
One can of Chicken Broth- $.89
One can of Olives- $2.00
Nutmeg- $5.24
One can of Green Beans- $1.49
Margarine- $1.00
Small Pumpkin- $1.67
Box of Sugar- $1.00
One can of Condensed Milk- $2.49
Pan for Turkey- $2.99
12 oz. Turkey- $17.86
Cheese- $5.99
One Granny Smith Apple- $.92
One Carrot- $.17
Two Cloves of Garlic- $1.18
One Bunch of Cilantro- $.99
Bag of Cranberries- $2.49
Bag of Onions- $2.49
Bag of Celery Hearts- $3.99
Bag of Potatoes- $5.99
French Bread- $1.69
Dinner Rolls- $1.99
Dressing for Stuffing- $3.49

Total: $72.79

(Since most families that prepare dinners already have salt and pepper in their homes, reporter Audrey Asistio didn't add that on her list.)