Tips for Living with Inflation
- Author: Jean Bergnaum II
- Posted: 2024-03-31
Recent inflation rates have many individuals wondering how they will get by. Whether your rent has recently been raised or your groceries have gotten more expensive, rising prices has many of us scrambling to buy what we need while meeting our bills. The tips below may take off some of the pressure.
Food
Higher food costs can be managed if you're willing to build new skills and try new foods. You may also have to invest in a few tools. For example, if you have a crock pot you probably know that you can make stew or chili.
A crockpot can also be used to make
- egg dishes, for a protein-rich meal at the end of a long day
- oatmeal, for a nice warm breakfast first thing in the morning
- stewed meats, enabling you to tenderize cheaper cuts
Many of us get home from work exhausted and hungry, which is not a great time to have to cook from scratch. If you can do a little meal planning and start your crockpot before you leave for work, you can go home to a nice hot meal.
Clothing
Even die-hard thrift shoppers have noticed that the selection at many thrift stores has decreased. Resellers often have the flexibility to get there early and pick through the best garments.
To make sure that you're happy and confident in your wardrobe, inventory your bottom garments. For those who only wear pants, check and see what color gets the most use. A single pair of new black pants can do a great deal to boost your available outfits.
If you wear skirts, adding just one skirt in a commonly worn color can also increase your options. If you already have several tops and a couple of jackets that will pair well with a black skirt or black trousers, stop buying other colors and search intensely for black. Put the word out among your thrifty friends and let them know what you're willing to spend.
Gas
Stay home on the weekends. Get in the habit of asking yourself one question before you get on the road. Will I make any money at the end of this drive? If you're driving to work, you will. If you're driving for Uber or making a food delivery, you will.
If your drive has no pay-out, don't go. Get a small notebook and organize your errands so you can stop and buy groceries or pick up other items on your way home. Once you're home, stay there. Arrange to have fun at home rather than seeking it outside your place.
Insurance
Keep an eye on your credit rating. Poor credit can mean higher insurance bills. Even if you can only make the minimum, pay it as soon as the bill comes in.
Look for ways to pay off your car more quickly. If your car is financed locally, try to walk in and pay extra when you get your second check. Consider how quickly you can pay it off if you threw all your side hustle money at it.
Once your car is paid off, you may choose to drop full coverage and just go with liability. Experts may disagree, but if you can't make the bill, liability insurance is better than nothing.
Rent
No doubt about it, rent is getting painfully expensive. Before your lease is up, reach out to your landlord. If you're interested in staying, ask them if they plan to increase the rent. Once you know what you're facing, ask if you can sign a 2 year lease instead of just one.
A 2 year lease is good for you and for your landlord. It protects you from further hikes and it gives them a promise of steady income. If your landlord want so inspect the property before you sign the lease, roll up your sleeves.
Declutter and clean your apartment. Tidy up closets, scrub counters and dust your ceiling fans. If your landlord is happy with how you're treating the place, they may be more flexible if you need to negotiate a lower rent or if you need to be late with your payment.
Bottom Line
Inflationary pressures can be managed with a bit of pre-planning and some habit changes. Do your best to keep your landlord happy. Learn to cook and pay your bills on time to protect your credit. If you can, pay off your car quickly.
