The Thanksgiving Squeeze: Inflation Gobbles Up American Wallets

The Full Breakdown:

Another year, another financial assault on the average American family. Thanksgiving—a day meant for gratitude and togetherness—has morphed into a $431 endurance test. That’s the average cost this year for hosting, according to LendingTree, and it’s up a staggering 19% from 2022. The breakdown? $265 on food and drinks and $166 on decor. But let’s not forget who’s really to blame here: the same inflationary policies and corporate greed that keep the wheels of the system greased.

Hosts are feeling the pinch, with 60% admitting inflation is impacting their plans. Some are switching up menus, clipping coupons like it’s 1975, or outright refusing to host. A full third of potential hosts say this year might be their last for opening their homes—a grim statistic in an era that thrives on social atomization.

And what’s the government’s response? Silence. Meanwhile, big box stores and credit card companies are licking their chops at your misery, dangling cash-back rewards and points as if those crumbs will offset the financial blow.

Guests Beware: No Freeloaders Allowed

The inflation squeeze has flipped social norms on their head. Nearly six in ten hosts now expect their guests to chip in—financially, with a dish, or some other form of "sweat equity." A quarter of hosts admit they might not invite freeloaders next year. It’s a stark reminder that even our celebrations are becoming transactional.

Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, offers a nugget of wisdom for guests: "When in doubt, help." Thanks, Matt. But perhaps the better question is why the average household is being forced to triage its traditions while billion-dollar corporations and the Federal Reserve push policies that exacerbate this mess.

And for those without the cash to contribute? Schulz suggests showing up early to lend a hand or offering to shuttle relatives from the airport. Practical advice, sure, but it reeks of a system where everyone scrambles for scraps while the elite continue their feast.

The System Behind the Strain

The financialization of Thanksgiving is just the tip of the iceberg. Inflation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s the direct result of reckless government spending, endless money printing, and the Fed’s disastrous monetary policies. This isn’t just about paying more for turkey; it’s about the gradual erosion of middle-class stability.

Let’s not ignore the silent predators in the room: credit card companies. They’re not offering "helpful advice"; they’re sharpening their claws. Whether it’s dangling 1.5% cash back or travel perks, their goal is the same—to trap you in the endless cycle of debt. Every swipe is another link in the chain.

A Call to Action

If this year’s Thanksgiving bill leaves you furious, good. Channel that energy into protecting yourself and your family. Stop relying on credit cards to bridge the gap. Question the policies driving this financial crisis. And most importantly, take control of your finances before the system takes control of you.

Download Bill Brocius’ free guide, "Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure", and start building your financial independence today.

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Thanksgiving should be a celebration of freedom and gratitude, not another reminder of how tightly the system holds its grip. Don’t let them fatten their coffers while you’re left scrambling for scraps. Fight back.