Thanksgiving often brings families and friends together, but it also coincides with a period of increased spending. Food prices remain high, with the U.S. Consumer Price Index reporting an 18% increase in food costs since January 2022. However, the price of a traditional Thanksgiving meal for ten people has dropped this year, according to America’s Farm Bureau Federation.
Artificial intelligence tools are helping consumers manage expenses during the holiday season. By using AI-driven applications, shoppers can compare prices at different stores, locate deals, and receive step-by-step cooking instructions.
Smart shopping platforms such as Instacart+ AI Planner and Amazon Fresh SmartCart analyze users’ purchase histories and dietary preferences to suggest products, schedule deliveries, and apply digital coupons automatically. Meal planning apps powered by AI can reduce food waste by recommending recipes that use overlapping ingredients and tracking pantry items close to expiration.
Other tools like ListGenie automate grocery list creation based on past purchases, while Flipp aggregates digital ads from numerous retailers so users can browse weekly flyers, compare prices, and build shopping lists in one location.
