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No doubt about it: inflation has been hitting families’ pocketbooks across the US for several months now.

Inflation in the US rose to 6.8 percent in 2021, the highest rate since 1982. According to the article at the link, inflation has been here for at least six months in a row. It especially affects prices in many household primary cost centers, including gas, food, and housing.

Gasoline, in particular, has risen steeply in the last 12 months: 58.1 percent year-over-year in November, the steepest rise since 1980.

And, unfortunately, it appears inflation will stick around, at least for a while.

And by “awhile,” we mean most – if not all — of 2022.

Dang! Double dang! (Insert replacement swear word of your choice.)

So what’s a family to do?

Some tips to help your family’s household budget cope with inflation:

1. Create a spending plan.

If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to create a family spending plan.

Doing so helps you see what you’re spending where and will help you spend only as much as your income allows. This enables you to know where you’re spending most of your money and where you can cut back as inflation continues to grow.

It’s wise to focus primarily on items that inflation probably will affect, such as gas, food, clothing and housing. Food and housing probably are items that you can’t cut back upon as they are the most important parts of any spending plan: your family must eat and they must have a safe place to live.

While also important, gas could be cut back upon (as in using the car just for getting to work and absolutely necessary trips such as shopping, medical, going to school, etc.).

Other items, such as clothing, “fun” food, toys, games, hair care, personal care items, etc., aren’t as critical to your family’s safety and health. They DO make one’s life better. However, if push comes to shove, understanding what is vital spending and what is “like to spend” will help you have enough money for those necessary items.

2. Look for less expensive alternatives.

Seek out other resources to meet a few of your usual expenses. Try less expensive brands or stores. Purchase store-brand items, especially cleaning and personal care products, etc.

Purchase foods in bulk. Consider checking out food outlets. Curtail eating out.

3. Eliminate or cut unnecessary expenses.

Can you learn how to cut and color hair yourself? Can you give up stopping at your favorite coffee company on the way to work?

Exercise at home rather than at the gym. If you can’t cut hair, stretch out the time between haircuts. Take the bus a few times or discuss carpooling with coworkers who live nearby.

Purchase clothing at thrift stores. Believe us: you’ll be happily surprised at the quality of the clothing you’ll find there. (The hunt itself is enjoyable!)

4. See if you can find free alternatives.

Many museums offer free or discounted days. If you’re a senior, take advantage of all senior discounts you can find; the same goes for child discounts. Borrow books and even movies from the library. Ask friends and neighbors over for “everyone brings a dish” potlucks. Hold a clothing swap with friends. Check out BuyNothingProject.org to see if there’s a group in your area. And don’t forget Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for inexpensive furniture, clothing, cars, tools, and so on.

5. Focus on your priorities.

A spending plan helps you remember what your priorities are and helps you ignore the rest. Remember that inflation won’t be here forever and things will settle down again. (Prices probably will remain higher than they were before these past couple of years, however.)

A spending plan will help you keep clear of credit cards, helping you stay away from accumulating debt that you’ll inevitably have to deal with at some point…

As much as you can, put some money away each pay period. You’ll be amazed at how even just putting aside a few dollars every period can add up quickly to a nice emergency fund.

6. Look for a higher-paying job (or a second job).

Companies know that job candidates expect pay raises… and the companies are providing them!

If your employer hasn’t done so, you might want to start looking for a new one. Even if you don’t find anything in our current opportunities that look appealing, consider registering with us so that we can contact you ASAP when one or more positions that fit your skills, needs and goals pop up in our inboxes.  Hire Dynamics’ clients constantly send us new job opportunities and assignments.  Whether you’re searching for forklift jobs near me, warehouse work, or just any job near me hiring. You’re in the right place!