The pressure of inflation can be incredibly frustrating. Unknown price hikes can make it tough to plan how and where you will spend your money. To effective fight inflation, it’s important to build resources beyond money.
Needs Vs. Wants
Your mindset can have a big impact on the stress you feel around inflation. Keeping a careful grip on needs vs. wants can help. Consider adding a small notebook to your purse, pocket or backpack.
If you need something, write it down in the front of the notebook. If you want something, add it to the list at the back of the notebook. Start searching for needed items online; you may be able to find the item used or on sale.
On a weekly basis, review the items on your list of wants and reconsider. Do you still want the item? Many times, wants can fade with a bit of time.
Inventory What You Have
The decluttering movement of 2020 is worth revisiting if you have a strong want or wish. Extra clothes and food can all be put to good use when you have a want that you can’t afford.
Clothes
The first step is to review what you have. Every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in a year can either be
- sold to raise cash
- swapped with a friend for something new
- re-incorporated into your current wardrobe
Pair an unworn top with your favorite skirt, shorts or pants for a new outfit. Change up your scarves and/or ties. Revisit your jewelry box for more new combinations.
Food
If you’re longing for a favorite meal at a restaurant, consider what flavors you’re actually seeking. You might have a taste for a plate of nachos or a creamy pasta dish.
It’s time to go through your cupboards. Can you make tacos or create a dip that will satisfy your craving? You may just need a bag of corn chips to satisfy the need and save the cost of eating out.
Pasta dishes can be extremely comforting when the weather turns chilly. A simple meal of spaghetti and garlic bread can be both cost-effective and satisfying. You can also easily expand this meal to feed several folks.
Budget Your Time Wisely
You may need to take on a part-time job or a side hustle in addition to your current job. Take care to avoid bumping up your spending as your income increases.
If you’re tired from your second job, it’s very easy to spend more on entertainment or meals out as a treat that you feel you deserve. However, it’s also easy to wipe out any extra money you make with such actions.
Look for ways to save cash during your downtime. If your schedule is tight, do some batch cooking during your time away from work. Learning to prepare meals in advance can save money, time and excess stress.
If you’re only cooking for one, freeze up single servings of chili, soup, stews and casseroles. Every time you pull out the cutting board to prep veggies for a meal, make a double batch.
When feeding your family, bulk cooking during your free time can take the pressure off on busy days. A frozen casserole or container of soup can quickly be warmed to feed your family.
Limit Your Exposure to Marketing
Items in the store and online are packaged and presented to catch your eye. If social media often triggers your urge to buy, limit your time on those apps or simply set your phone to airplane mode.
If you prefer to shop in-person but struggle to stick to your list, you can carry cash on the days you plan to shop. Those who use credit cards for extra points or cashback may benefit from buying gift cards and using that limit, rather than credit cards, to limit their spending.
Try to incorporate your shopping trip into your regular commute. If you need to go pick up your children at the end of the school day, try to shop for groceries before you pick them up. Keep a cooler in your vehicle to keep things cold in the school pick-up line. Limiting your time in the store will limit your ability to wander and buy more than you need.
Shop Smart
Many grocery stores promote their ads on Wednesday. Get in the habit of reviewing what’s on sale for the coming week. If you’ve noticed that coffee prices have jumped, review other brands for discounts.
Only stock up on items that you and your family enjoy. If your family loves chicken salad sandwiches but will not eat tuna casserole, cheap tuna is not a bargain. When canned chicken is on sale, buy multiples.
Check your store for deep discounts. Many national grocery chains offer deals on produce that needs to be eaten quickly; these products are often sold in mesh bags. Keep your meal plans flexible; a discounted bag of cucumbers can quickly be turned into a salad to serve with the chicken salad sandwiches!
Don’t forget to check out your local Dollar stores. Many have a wide variety of dried pantry goods, including dried beans and rice. You can also find deeply discounted snacks, cereals, and crackers. A charcuterie meal of crackers, cheese, savory meats and discounted fruit can be fun for your family and easy on your budget.
Inflation is inevitable, but you can limit your risks by using the skills you have and building new ones. Cooking up a low-cost, delicious one-pot meal is a great way to free up space in your food budget. Putting together a new outfit from your existing wardrobe will reduce the pressure on your clothing budget. The resources you need to combat inflation may already be in your home, ready for your use.
The pressure of inflation can be incredibly frustrating. Unknown price hikes can make it tough to plan how and where you will spend your money. To effective fight inflation, it’s important to build resources beyond money.
Needs Vs. Wants
Your mindset can have a big impact on the stress you feel around inflation. Keeping a careful grip on needs vs. wants can help. Consider adding a small notebook to your purse, pocket or backpack.
If you need something, write it down in the front of the notebook. If you want something, add it to the list at the back of the notebook. Start searching for needed items online; you may be able to find the item used or on sale.
On a weekly basis, review the items on your list of wants and reconsider. Do you still want the item? Many times, wants can fade with a bit of time.
Inventory What You Have
The decluttering movement of 2020 is worth revisiting if you have a strong want or wish. Extra clothes and food can all be put to good use when you have a want that you can’t afford.
Clothes
The first step is to review what you have. Every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in a year can either be
- sold to raise cash
- swapped with a friend for something new
- re-incorporated into your current wardrobe
Pair an unworn top with your favorite skirt, shorts or pants for a new outfit. Change up your scarves and/or ties. Revisit your jewelry box for more new combinations.
Food
If you’re longing for a favorite meal at a restaurant, consider what flavors you’re actually seeking. You might have a taste for a plate of nachos or a creamy pasta dish.
It’s time to go through your cupboards. Can you make tacos or create a dip that will satisfy your craving? You may just need a bag of corn chips to satisfy the need and save the cost of eating out.
Pasta dishes can be extremely comforting when the weather turns chilly. A simple meal of spaghetti and garlic bread can be both cost-effective and satisfying. You can also easily expand this meal to feed several folks.
Budget Your Time Wisely
You may need to take on a part-time job or a side hustle in addition to your current job. Take care to avoid bumping up your spending as your income increases.
If you’re tired from your second job, it’s very easy to spend more on entertainment or meals out as a treat that you feel you deserve. However, it’s also easy to wipe out any extra money you make with such actions.
Look for ways to save cash during your downtime. If your schedule is tight, do some batch cooking during your time away from work. Learning to prepare meals in advance can save money, time and excess stress.
If you’re only cooking for one, freeze up single servings of chili, soup, stews and casseroles. Every time you pull out the cutting board to prep veggies for a meal, make a double batch.
When feeding your family, bulk cooking during your free time can take the pressure off on busy days. A frozen casserole or container of soup can quickly be warmed to feed your family.
Limit Your Exposure to Marketing
Items in the store and online are packaged and presented to catch your eye. If social media often triggers your urge to buy, limit your time on those apps or simply set your phone to airplane mode.
If you prefer to shop in-person but struggle to stick to your list, you can carry cash on the days you plan to shop. Those who use credit cards for extra points or cashback may benefit from buying gift cards and using that limit, rather than credit cards, to limit their spending.
Try to incorporate your shopping trip into your regular commute. If you need to go pick up your children at the end of the school day, try to shop for groceries before you pick them up. Keep a cooler in your vehicle to keep things cold in the school pick-up line. Limiting your time in the store will limit your ability to wander and buy more than you need.
Shop Smart
Many grocery stores promote their ads on Wednesday. Get in the habit of reviewing what’s on sale for the coming week. If you’ve noticed that coffee prices have jumped, review other brands for discounts.
Only stock up on items that you and your family enjoy. If your family loves chicken salad sandwiches but will not eat tuna casserole, cheap tuna is not a bargain. When canned chicken is on sale, buy multiples.
Check your store for deep discounts. Many national grocery chains offer deals on produce that needs to be eaten quickly; these products are often sold in mesh bags. Keep your meal plans flexible; a discounted bag of cucumbers can quickly be turned into a salad to serve with the chicken salad sandwiches!
Don’t forget to check out your local Dollar stores. Many have a wide variety of dried pantry goods, including dried beans and rice. You can also find deeply discounted snacks, cereals, and crackers. A charcuterie meal of crackers, cheese, savory meats and discounted fruit can be fun for your family and easy on your budget.
Inflation is inevitable, but you can limit your risks by using the skills you have and building new ones. Cooking up a low-cost, delicious one-pot meal is a great way to free up space in your food budget. Putting together a new outfit from your existing wardrobe will reduce the pressure on your clothing budget. The resources you need to combat inflation may already be in your home, ready for your use.
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