Learn how to save on Thanksgiving dinner and decide if filing taxes jointly makes sense for common law couples.

How can you trim your Thanksgiving costs without skimping on the feast? Should common law spouses file taxes jointly or separately? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into tax choices for couples to help you understand which filing status may fit your situation and what to weigh before you commit. But first, Anna Helhoski joins Elizabeth to unpack why the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner is down this year and how to shop smart for the expanded table. They cover where prices fell and rose across the holiday menu, what turkey deals and meal bundles at places like Aldi, Walmart and Target could mean for your budget, and why recently reduced food tariffs may take time to show up on store shelves.

Then, tax Nerd Bella Avila joins Sean and Elizabeth to answer a listener’s question about common law marriage and taxes. They discuss when married filing jointly versus separately can lower your bill, how IRS rules treat common law marriages (and what to consider if you move states), and practical to-dos like updating your W-4 within 10 days, timing a name change, and reviewing credit and student loan implications. They also touch on cohabitation agreements (a “prenup” for common law couples) and why clear money conversations matter before you file.

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: common law marriage, file taxes jointly common law, married filing jointly vs separately, Thanksgiving dinner cost 2025, turkey prices 2025, food inflation CPI, Aldi Thanksgiving meal, Walmart Thanksgiving meal, Target Thanksgiving bundle, Whole Foods Thanksgiving dinner price, Harry and David Thanksgiving meal, save money on Thanksgiving, store brand vs name brand, frozen vegetables price, sweet potato shortage North Carolina, avian flu turkey prices, food tariffs 2025, Trump food tariff rollback, grocery prices outlook, head of household vs single, surviving spouse filing status, education credits married filing separately, child tax credit MFS rules, medical expense deduction 7.5% AGI, W-4 update after marriage, add domestic partner to health insurance, dependent eligibility common law spouse, IRS rules common law marriage, cohabitation agreement, prenup cost and timeline, name change and taxes, tax brackets married vs single, standard deduction married filing jointly, and credit and deductions phaseouts joint filers.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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