How To Save Money On Your Thanksgiving Shopping

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Buying turkey and the trimmings may be inevitable this time of year, but soaring food prices are causing some to clutch their credit cards even tighter.

Nearly 50 million turkeys will be prepared, but that turkey will cost on average 22 percent more than last year, up from about $0.25 a pound to $1.35.

The Farm Bureau says you'll even pay more for the trimmings, potatoes, canned corn, and even green beans.

Pumpkin pie mix has jumped 41 cents or roughly 16 percent to $3.03 a can.

The hike convinced one man to forego the traditional meal entirely.

"I'm going to have an open-faced turkey sandwich with gravy on it, with maybe some mashed potatoes on the side, in a restaurant," one New Yorker told CBS 2's Ann Mercogliano.

According to coupon extraordinaire Cindy Livesey of LivingRichWithCoupons.com, this Thanksgiving doesn't have to break the bank.

"You could really walk away spending about $15 or under on your Thanksgiving for eight to ten people," she said.

"Coupons, get your coupons together. There are sales galore. You can get free sour cream, really inexpensive canned vegetables and frozen vegetables."

Next, she says get the best deal on that turkey. Fairway says it's prices are the same as last year. There are also some free turkey offers out there.

"Like Shoprite or BJ's has a great offer," Livesey said. "If you can get that, use your coupons and really get your price down."

Finally, stockpile so you'll save next year.

"If you stockpile, you don't have to buy half the things come Thanksgiving because you've probably already gotten them for free," Livesey said.

If you're a novice at coupon clipping, now's as good a time as any to start.

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