How inflation is affecting your Thanksgiving dinner

High prices are on the Thanksgiving menu this year.

Just about every ingredient you’ll need to make your meal has shot up in price.

This year, our wallets, in addition to our pants, will have to stretch to give a little.

Grocery prices went up nearly 11% compared to last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Monthly Inflation Report.

But FGCU economist Victor Claar said the positive thing about this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is those supply shortages are so last year.

You’ll be able to find everything you want for the dinner table.

“The strategy, as always is, be really creative as you shop and if you happen to see something that you need for your Thanksgiving dinner anyway and it’s on the shelf and you know the price is pretty good, go ahead and buy that item and put it in your pantry as long as it doesn’t have a long shelf life,” Claar said.

But getting dinner together will burn a hole in your wallet.

WINK News compared the prices of Thanksgiving staples at local supermarkets.

Publix had the cheapest burd at 49 cents a pound.

Costco is the best way to go for a big pumpkin pie that costs less than $6.

A box of stuffing at Walmart costs less than $2.

Head over to Target for mashed potatoes.

A 5-pound bag of Russet potatoes are about $3.

Hopping from store to store is key to happy Thanksgiving dinner and a happy wallet.

“There are deals out there to be had, you just have to have your eyes open and be on the lookout to snap up those opportunities,” Claar said.

There has been talk about a nationwide shortage of turkeys, but WINK News saw plenty.

If you don’t want to cook, Publix has premade Thanksgiving dinners starting at $65 while Whole Foods has them $90.