Managing the Insane Costs
I've been noodling and drafting this post for a while. As I haven't posted for a few days as a bit of an accident has me slow, I'm just doing a quick edit before hitting publish.
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The ripple effect of the Iran war, high gas prices, lingering tariff BS, is hitting in just about every expense American's have. I'm sorry to my international friends that you're caught in this as well. We all know, with the exception of gas, once prices on consumables go up, they do not go down. I love how stores market "new lower prices" by cherry picking a few items as loss leaders, hoping folks don't get too frustrated overall. Humans need food, clean water, gas to get to work or school/public transport options, and dare I say the occasional indulgence to feel like we're living not just surviving.
My family is not hurting too much. Our needs are covered and we're enjoying things in our free time. However, knowing there's soon to be an additional household in the family, while not mine, gives pause before spending where I normally might not hesitate. I'm reading more thrift blogs, articles on side hustles, and non-consumerism to glean ideas to use or adapt for us. If nothing else, it's commaraderie that as humans, we're in this economy together. I won't rehash as I already recap my fiscal wellness checks on Fridays.
My biggest reduction the last month has been in meals out. In April, I had a group dinner, a happy hour, and I treated my son to a slice (huge-I took 1/2 home) of pizza lunch at Cosetta's when we were in St Paul for the walk through of the condo inspection. I can’t think of other meals out. I brought a cake made with pantry/ freezer food and bought a 6 pack of Blue Moon for Derby Day. My SIl likes that brand too so glad to buy. She's figuring out things financially after my brother passed away and one income source was reduced, another impact when you lose a spouse. I'm using cash for my entertainment so I can see what I've really spent. I plan to keep doing this and when I use a card, set what was spent aside to go towards the balance and keep myself disciplined.
Clothing is another area that I'm pausing for now. I have plenty, and while not the most stylish, they'll do me fine. I don't have any weddings or other dress up events this summer and for the outings I can think of, my closet will be acceptable.
I see more posts on the community pages asking about the food banks as paychecks aren't stretching far enough. Summer will be here soon and while it feels a bit more affordable not heating homes and limiting AC, kids are home that used to get school lunches in Minnesota. I'm trying to set a few more dollars aside to do an additional donation to our local food bank by the end of the month. Sadly resouces like Fair Share and Ruby's Pantry have stopped providing low cost food shares that really helped families and individuals on the margin stretch their budgets.
If you or someone you know are struggling and some relief on groceries might help, in Minnesota you can dial 211 to find local resources. Nationally, there is a USDA Hunger line at 1-866-348-6479. Feel free to share resources you're aware of in your country for anyone reading. While not straight cash, a bit of help might free up funds to go towards other bills.
I'd like to do a call in the comments for any new to you strategies that you've tried with success or adopted as part of life. Please and thank you in advance. We are truly in this together so my focus will be on giving, helping, and sharing where I can, appreciating the simplicity and privileges in my life.
My group of friends is car pooling, even for events “in town” (we have to drive 12 miles to get there.) Granted, I hate to drive, (and am pretty bad at it) so I always advocated for this. If we have to head somewhere off the freeway, we meet in town, and take one car for the rest of the trip. The last event, I drove to pick up another woman on the island and we drove together to the meeting point. This is a person I don’t generally speak to socially, so when she called and asked for a ride to the meeting point I said yes immediately because what I do know of her, I sensed she was concerned about fuel costs. We took my fully fueled car (friend drove). Once there both offered to buy me a drink, but it was a teetotaling night for me. Next time we will use someone else’s vehicle. This has been the norm for years in my crowd as we are all the type who can’t stand seeing multiple vehicles going from the same place to the same place. But now, I see it happening in other circles.
ReplyDeleteOn a smaller scale, we have decided things like we are not purchasing any new plants for the perennial gardens. If we want a change, we will divide those we have. Summer has been declared low spend, August has already been labeled no spend.
Like you, I am fairly secure, but I want to impress upon my family that these are troubling times, and that the best way to keep ourselves safe is to keep our costs low.
-Meg B.
I don't mind my clothes if they are considered out of style either, as I wear what I like and think looks good on me. We've stopped buying as many groceries as we have in the past and don't always stock up like I once did, but also that happens to be a result of the stores no longer carrying the inventory they once did, We've noticed on some of our favorites that we do stock up on there are not even ten of the product on the shelf. I've stopped cooking as many items for dinner. I used to make three items for dinner, but now that is down to two, with a protein and a vegetable. I don't always include a starch which helps my wallet and waistline and also my blood sugar. I'm with you though, we are all in this together and can glean information from one another to get through these hard times.
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