Analysts share tips on saving time and money for Thanksgiving
NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA) - Thanksgiving is just ten days away, but this year, the cost could be a little more expensive. However, analysts have provided tips for customers to save them time and money before they stock their kitchen.
Stuffing, veggies and pie. These are the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast.
When asked what customers can expect this Thanksgiving when it comes to prices, Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst who's known as the Supermarket Guru, says "The good news is Thanksgiving is going to be a little less expensive than it was last year, but turkey prices are up 40%."
Lempert also says frugal shoppers can feast for under $6 per person.
Average frozen wholesale turkeys are $1.32 per pound. That is up from 97 cents per pound last year.
Feast favorites like cranberries are up 6% while green beans are up 32%.
However, staples like lettuce, milk, soft drinks and potatoes are flat or up slightly from a year ago while butter, bread and eggs are down.
Tariffs are still a concern.
"Whether it's an imported product like olive oil or imported cheeses or imported wines, tariffs have an effect. But also let's not forget there's a tariff on aluminum cans. So that in fact, even on our canned pumpkin is going to increase those prices," Lempert explained.
So, to save customers' time and money before they stock their kitchen, they can try using AI to get help planning with recipes and finding the cheapest deals.
Free AI chatbots like Gemini, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot work like personal assistants. Customers can ask to find the cheapest turkeys near them as well as generate recipes for dietary restrictions.
While most grocery stores still have the weekly circulars promoting their deals, there is an free app called Flipp that has circulars for most national and local grocers.
Another time saver: Pre-packaged meal offerings. Grocery chains, including Walmart, Aldi and Lidl, have deals to feed a family of 10 for $40 or less. They include turkey stuffing, potatoes, pie, and other sides.
Tips to help customers gobble up savings for their Thanksgiving feast and beyond.
