[New post] What to do when everything gets expensive
Anna posted: " Photo by Mike on Pexels.com This sure has been a crazy summer so far. Between tons of work and lots of projects around the house, I also try to do fun stuff with the kids and work on my own projects (specifically the upcoming sixth and final volume of" Domestic Felicity
This sure has been a crazy summer so far. Between tons of work and lots of projects around the house, I also try to do fun stuff with the kids and work on my own projects (specifically the upcoming sixth and final volume of Frozen World). And, by and by, I watch everything get more (and more, and MORE) expensive.
I mean literally everything. Electricity, food, public transportation, gas. I know it's like that all around the world. Though I had taken on extra clients and more work, it's not enough to compensate for the absolutely outrageous costs of living (and by living, I literally mean just that: a roof over your head, food to eat, keep the lights on).
Sometimes, I feel like shaking a fist at Global Economy and saying, "You ain't getting my hard-earned money!"
Luckily, I have lived through Shoestring Budget Bootcamp which involved zero income, young kids, and limited access to basic facilities. I figure that, for many of us, it's time to get back to basics and tighten those belts.
It starts with nonessentials. While I have argued that being too frugal can actually keep you stuck in poverty, when retailers and service providers are literally trying to rob you, it's time to examine what you can live without. I believe in the consumer's power. If we buy less, prices will drop, or corporations will go out of business.
My favorite way to cut discretionary expenses is to avoid going into stores. I know that all my willpower fails when I face a great deal on craft supplies, so I just dodge the temptation. Same goes for online stores (sorry, Woolstack!).
You can also save on:
Food: Cut the prepackaged foods and go with what's basic, cheap, and healthy. Mix meat with beans and rice to stretch it. Try growing your own vegetables, stock up on long-keeping goods when you expect prices to rise, and consider keeping some chickens if your local regulations allow it.
Electricity: This one is tough. We live in Israel, and summers are hot. However, I try to be extra mindful of any AC units working needlessly (this usually involves peeking into any room my kids have exited). There are also long stretches in the afternoon when it's not that hot outside anymore but the house radiates accumulated heat. Spending these hours out of doors helps cut electricity costs.
Transportation: We now pay an arm and a leg for gas, and local public transportation is undergoing a "reform" which essentially means you pay more unless your whole family uses buses and trains often enough to justify a monthly plan (spoiler: few kids do). So we're falling back more and more on the old-fashioned form of transportation called walking. I try to merge several errands in one trip to save both time and money.
Second-hand: I love hand-me-downs and thrift stores. You can find excellent quality clothes, furniture, and household items for a fraction of the cost. Of course, it's a matter of luck and it's not as convenient as hopping online and just ordering whatever you need.
Entertainment: Luckily, no one has yet tried to make us pay for walks, local hikes, hanging out with friends, making dinner a picnic, or borrowing extra books from the library.
I'd love to hear how everyone is coping with the rising prices and what strategies you have adopted to live well during tough times.
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