The Cost of Thanksgiving Comes Down
Each year, the American Farm Bureau releases an estimate of what it costs to feed a family of ten for Thanksgiving, a lighthearted but useful snapshot of price trends for holiday staples. The latest estimate projects an average meal cost of $55.18, which is 5% lower than last year and well below the record high of $64.05 set in 2022. After several years of elevated prices, the continued decline offers consumers much-needed relief during the holiday season. However, the price movement isn’t uniform across the Thanksgiving table. Turkey leads the price drop, falling 16% to an average cost of $1.34 per pound. On the other end of the spectrum, weather disruptions have sent sweet potato prices soaring 37%, and even the often-neglected vegetable tray, the one that tends to be forgotten at many gatherings, is up a surprising 61% year-over-year. While this year’s data suggests the holiday feast is becoming more affordable overall, the mix of rising and falling costs highlights how specific factors continue to influence individual food categories. With three consecutive years of declining Thanksgiving costs, this trend reflects encouraging movement in food inflation. For families and friends preparing to celebrate together, the holiday table may look a little less expensive this year, even if it still pays to favor turkey over vegetables.
Can AI Investments Deliver Real Productivity?
While conversations around artificial intelligence may not seem like typical Thanksgiving fare, the recent market reaction to NVIDIA’s earnings highlights the broader impact of technology investment across the U.S. economy. One of the most notable developments is the rapid expansion of data center construction, a direct byproduct of the AI boom. Since 2020, data center development has surged dramatically, even as general office construction has sharply declined. In fact, data center spending is on track to surpass traditional office building for the first time. This shift is more than a construction trend; it reflects an open question that will shape corporate strategy and economic growth: Will heavy AI-related spending actually boost productivity? As labor supply tightens and payroll growth is expected to slow into 2025, the economy will rely more heavily on efficiency improvements to support expansion. Yet, recent data shows underwhelming productivity gains, raising concerns about whether technology investments are translating into meaningful output. As the U.S. moves toward 2026, much of the market’s confidence hinges on whether AI-driven advancements begin delivering tangible benefits to businesses. The scale of investment has been substantial; what remains to be seen is whether it will pay off through faster, smarter, more productive operations across corporate America.
Greg Powell, CIMA®
President and CEO
Wealth Consultant
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Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
Managing Director
Wealth Consultant
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Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF®
Chief Investment Officer
Wealth Consultant
Email Trey Booth here
Ty Miller, AIF®
Vice President
Wealth Consultant
Email Ty Miller here
Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth management and business consulting. The team at Fi Plan Partners creates strategies in the best interest of their clients using fee based investing.
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