Why will Super Bowl parties be more expensive this year?
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(CNN) --
There's an unwelcome guest at your Super Bowl party this year: inflation.
Last year's party may have suffered from hibernation due to covid.
This year, with mass vaccination and popularization of tests, it is finally possible to hold that meeting.
But with it comes a purchase invoice that reflects the increase in consumer prices.
Wells Fargo did the math and found that the average price of a Super Bowl gathering could be 14% higher than last year, depending on dining choices.
Meat prices are the ones with the greatest impact.
Bad news for wing fans: Fresh and frozen chicken prices are up nearly 12% from last year.
Ground beef for classic Super Bowl chili is 13% more expensive.
And don't even think about serving carne asada: prices are up 21%.
According to a study, in January food prices increased by more than 5%
If you want to modify the menu to keep expenses to a minimum, think about hot dogs.
Prices for this US staple dipped last year, with those for French fries only up 1%.
As for drinks, the prices of beer and wine have only increased by 4% and 3%, respectively.
But soda prices are going up.
A pack of 12-ounce (355-ml) soda cans is up almost 12%.
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Guacamole is a wild card, because avocado prices tend to spike before the big game in most years.
Wells Fargo reported that avocados from Mexico and South America have expanded their production and maintain a strong supply.
But Bloomberg News reports that booming demand, labor shortages, rising wages and supply chain delays are driving avocado prices higher.
The secrets of chef Martha Ortiz to make the best guacamole
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With overall consumer price inflation at its highest since the 1980s, you may have to get creative to keep your grocery bill low.
Keep an eye out for specials, says grocery store executive Stew Leonard Jr. Some stores may have overordered chicken wings for the Super Bowl to make up for late or canceled deliveries.
"You don't know if the shipment is going to arrive or not, so you overorder and cross your fingers that it will be delivered," he told CNN Business.
In some cases, the result will be a large price reduction.
"You'll see deals every week in stores," says Leonard.
"Buy and freeze produce."
Consumer price inflation reaches its highest level in almost 40 years in the United States
Another way to save: try cheaper products from other brands.
"We're seeing a big shift from those national brands to store brands," says Leonard.
"Sometimes they are made by the same manufacturer."
And be crafty, as there are always bargains to be found.
"Even if there's a pandemic, the thing about the food industry is there are always points where some of the suppliers have to move a lot of volume and they'll give you a discount."
No matter how much you spend, think you're already saving by simply celebrating at home: Tickets to this year's Super Bowl are the most expensive ever.
And last year, you probably didn't have to throw or go to a party.
-- CNN's Laurie Frankel and Kate Trafecante contributed to this report.
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