How to save money with high gas and grocery prices

As Interest rates have increased from 3.0% to 6.0% over the past months, our business has obviously slowed. With that comes the tough decisions on layoffs and cutting expenses to survive the storm. For the average American who is pumping gas at $5.00 a gallon and watching their grocery bills explode higher, you must do the same for your household budget. Make tough decisions!

I am going to share things our family has done to start saving money at home. Yes, it feels like Deja-vu back to 2008 in so many ways but, try to have fun with it.

The first step is to print out your credit card statements and review these with your partner. We had some recurring expenses that were hitting our cards that we could do without:

1. I made the family vote to drop one of the following: Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max. HBO got the boot!
2. Audible (books) was paused for 3 months.
3. Door Dash fast pass was canceled.
4. Livebarn (to watch youth hockey) was canceled.
5. Nordstrom Trunk – gone!
6. Carwash monthly pass – Time to wash the car at home. I have a 15-year-old so this will be his job.
7. Lathwaite Wine – Mama would not let me cancel this one. LOL.

Ok, so that was the easy part…  These all kind of stare you in the face when you print them out. The next batch is a little more difficult.

1. Drive less. Have you calculated how much money it costs for you to drive back and forth to work with $5 a gallon gas? I know households that are even going to one car.
2. Plan your meals! Eat at home as much as possible or bring your lunch to work.
3. Sell items on Facebook Marketplace that you no longer need or use
4. Walk in the morning or night. You will feel better!
5. Do not buy water bottles. Drink tap water.
6. Keep the thermostat slightly higher in the summer.
7. Do not schedule any vacations right now – do staycations!

This is not a time to worry about what others think, it’s about doing what is best for your family.

Good luck!