Grocers are charging more for a simple reason: because they can

Regardless, for those looking to save a few--or many--bucks this holiday season, Sarah Krieger, RD, a national spokeswoman for the Chicago-headquartered American Dietetic Association, says that the easiest way is also the healthiest way.

"Don't buy pre-packaged goods if you don't have to," says Krieger. "Making your own stuffing, pumpkin pie and gravy saves money. Also, homemade foods generally have less sodium and fat than processed ones."

clipped from finance.yahoo.com Grocers are charging more for a simple reason: because they can. Don't be surprised if your Thanksgiving-dinner grocery bill feels fatter this year. Chances are it wasn't because you bought a bigger turkey. It's because food prices, in general, are going up. Why are costs rising? Often simply because they can, unfortunately. In down economic times we need food more than we need new clothes, electronics or even cars. Unless inflation skyrockets, there's little that will stop someone from buying a loaf of bread. When basics become essentials, prices go up. In the most recent Consumer Price Index, released by Bureau of Labor Statistics on Oct. 16, overall prices in the U.S. are 4.9% higher than in September 2007.