Transcripts

"Money File"-The Price of Thanksgiving

SUZANNE PRATT: In the "Money File" tonight, giving thanks. Here`s Chuck Jaffe, senior columnist at "Marketwatch."

CHUCK JAFFE, SENIOR COLUMNIST, MARKETWATCH: With the economy in turmoil and the stock market in crisis, many Americans are having a hard time being thankful for anything this Thanksgiving. They`re dreading holiday shopping on a tight budget and feeling pinched and nervous every time they open their wallet or turn on their television. Well, my parents always taught me to be thankful for small things, so here`s a little something to cheer you up: the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10, including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings is just $4.46 per person according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, which has done a national survey of Thanksgiving costs since 1986. While the $44.61 you`ll spend on the big dinner is up slightly more than 5 percent from last year due to cost increases in every item except for milk, it still represents what may be the best deal of the holidays, assuming you have good relations with the friends and family that fill up the table. It`s your low-cost reminder that time well spent with those we love, is more valuable than money well spent. And so, while our money may be shrinking in the stock market for the time being, good times remain as priceless as ever. Besides, at $4.46 per person, Thanksgiving dinner remains cheaper than the bargain-menu meals at most fast-food restaurants. So if you`re still searching for something to feel good about, maybe it should be that for all the fuss and preparation, Thanksgiving, on average, remains the ultimate value meal. I`m Chuck Jaffe

PRATT: Paul, you know what I`m thankful for? I`m thankful that the market is closed tomorrow.

KANGAS: Well, after a rally like today, I don`t know why. It was a good one.

PRATT: Maybe I`m crazy. That`s true. That`s true.