This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to be on dessert duty. I always bake a sour cream pound cake using a family recipe from my grandma’s grandma, but for those of you stuck on turkey duty, there is some good news.
There are widespread reports that grocery prices are down this Thanksgiving for the third year in a row. However, a lot of folks were without food assistance for part of November during the government shutdown, making it tough to shop for their holiday meals early.
You certainly aren’t alone if you’re looking for the best deals for your Thanksgiving feast. As the cost of living reporter for the Flyer, I have been brainstorming fun ways to talk about money. That’s why we created the series: What’s in your cart?
We’re hoping to provide a glimpse of Tulsa’s cost of living by talking with people in different parts of town about what they’re buying. Or, rather, asking them — what’s in your cart? Check out our Halloween edition from last month at SpotLite Magic & Costumes. This month, I went to Oasis Fresh Market and checked in with some early bird Thanksgiving shoppers.
Angel Hurd
Work: Teacher at Mayo Demonstration School for the past 28 years
Amount spent on groceries Nov. 5: $187, more than expected
Mouths to feed this Thanksgiving: At least 17
Hurd wants the best deals, so she’s pacing out her Thanksgiving shopping. Oasis Fresh Market in north Tulsa was selling greens for $1 each.
“That’s a good price,” she said — but she’s still got more on her shopping list, including the turkey and ham, which she said will be the last things she buys.
“I am that person, I have my hands in everything — so that’s the dressing, the greens, the sweet potatoes, the sweet potato pie, the German chocolate cakes … it’s a tradition,” Hurd said. “We’re trying to just get all the little stuff right now … we have to pace it as we get paid, literally.”
Venus Todd
Work: On disability
Amount spent on groceries Nov. 5: $100, more than expected
Mouths to feed this Thanksgiving: At least eight
Todd likes to do a “Betty Crocker” Thanksgiving. But she’s got a growing family, which adds up to at least $400 spent on turkey, ham and fixings. She knows prices go up each year, especially the cost to get everyone home for the holiday.
“That’s just how it is,” she said.
“I’m kind of dragging it out this year, I’m going to be honest, because there’s more mouths to feed this year,” Todd added. “They always expect me to make turkeys out of the napkins and all the stuff, so I’m going to be busy.”
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