I’m sure it’s not just me, but it feels like these past few years have been a real struggle financially. First with COVID lockdowns and now with high inflation rates. It feels like a never-ending struggle. If it’s not one thing, it’s something else. Does anyone else feel this way?
For us, we have been finding ways to cut back and save money whenever possible. Here are some of the things we have done.
#1 Cut off excess subscription services
We are subscribed to so many things. Whether it be music or streaming services, there’s a subscription for everything now. Like many, we are subscribed to multiple things. Also, like many, I’m sure you only really use a few of those services. So, we took a look at those services and cut back on the ones we don’t use.
As a blogger, I even cut out the paid link tree option and made a page on my website dedicated to those ‘link in bio’ posts. (You can see what I’m talking about
here.) While the service was like $6 and some change per month, that’s still a small savings.
#2 Shop Sale Items
We have also been more self-conscious about shopping for items while they are on sale rather than impulsively buying. Obviously, we can’t always do this, but we have been making a real effort to stick with it. Plus, if something we regularly use is on sale, we’ll stock up on it at the sale price rather than buying just the 1 or 2 we’re about to use.
#3 Shop Ahead of the Holidays
I know we’re already in the holiday season, but through the years I have found shopping months in advance not only saves money, but it is also less stressful. I’ll start about 6 months before Christmas and start looking for items. Most of the time I find better prices that way rather than waiting for Black Friday or Cyber Monday! Those sales certainly are not what they used to be. Plus, it takes the burden off all that last-minute holiday shopping. I’m spreading it out over the months rather than this large bulk purchase of gifts.
#4 Use Cashback Programs
I am a big fan of using cashback programs. Not only can you use them along with sales, but sometimes you get bonus cash back for certain items. This means you ultimately save more money!
For me, I like to use
Fetch Rewards,
Rakuten, and
Honey. Fetch Rewards allows you to scan receipts as well as earn points on online purchases. I then turn around and use those points for Amazon gift cards to turn around and purchase gifts!
As an added bonus, if you’re able, I like to take the money saved from cashback and add it to my savings account. You would be surprised how quickly that builds up your account! You can see how much your savings can earn by using a simple
savings calculator!
#5 Eat at home
As much as we love going out to eat, the prices are higher and the portions are smaller due to inflation. We find we get more bang for our buck by purchasing groceries on sale and making meals at home. If anything, we get more food for the money. This doesn’t mean you don’t ever treat yourself, but rather than always quickly grabbing something from a fast food chain or grabbing a coffee from my favorite coffee shop, I make it all at home. You’d be surprised how much that actually can save you alone!
Ultimately there are a number of things you can do to help reduce your spending and save money despite high inflation costs. Not everyone is able to cut back or do the same things as my family. So I would like to know what you have done and what has helped you and your family during these difficult financial times. Share in a comment below!