saving to desktop without pesky iCloud interference

Just got a new laptop with Ventura and just like that my local files are all saving to iCloud as default. And, of course, iCloud is full after hardly any time at all and I need to purchase more storage, which I won't do because I already have other cloud storage and don't want to splinter yet again. HELP!! Is there a way to stop auto saving to iCloud without Apple's ridiculous default that desktop files and docs disappear when the sync option is turned off?