Tips to spend less on a Thanksgiving feast

SALT LAKE CITY — Thanksgiving is one week away and some Utahns may be feeling added stress planning this year’s feast.

Record-high inflation means we’ll be paying more for turkey and all the trimmings. But you can make it more affordable.

In today’s “Save more, worry less,” KSL’s Tamara Vaifanua has three-budget friendly tips that can make your Thanksgiving meal memorable without spending all your gravy.

Count on dishing out a lot more cash to prepare a Thanksgiving meal this year.

Because of inflation, the cost of turkey, side dishes and baking essentials has jumped in price by 13.5% this year, according to market research firm IRI. If you’re hosting, WalletHub says that breaks down to about $392.

“The price of groceries has gone up substantially,” said Kathy Riggs, a professor at Utah State University extension in Cedar City. “That in addition to a shortage of turkey this year.”

She said these outside factors don’t have to take the thanks out of Thanksgiving.

Shop around

• Watch for coupons in the mail or online.
• Use a rebate app or grocery store card to save money.
• Walmart is offering Thanksgiving staples to customers at 2021 prices.
• You could also score a free turkey at WinCo if you make a $125 purchase.

Keep it simple

Going overboard on the menu can hurt your wallet.

More than 1/3 of Americans plan to have a smaller dinner, according to Personal Capital.

“If there are more items on the table to go around, that will fit on a single plate maybe we don’t need that much this year,” Riggs said.

Share the assignments

Another way to save is by assigning the side dishes, drinks and desserts.

“Let everybody be involved,” Riggs said. “Make it a family affair and not all the pressure on just one person.”

With tighter budgets this year, it’s easy for us to lose focus on what is going well for us.

Riggs suggests we take the time to appreciate what we have, keep those Thanksgiving traditions alive and reach out to others.