Simple Ways to Survive, and Even Profit from the Current Inflation Crisis
Simple Ways to Survive, and Even Profit from the Current Inflation Crisis
With prices on the rise and no end in sight, consumers everywhere are struggling to make ends meet. Whether the rising prices are the result of governmental malfeasance, supply-chain disruptions, employee empowerment, or a combination of many different factors, the results are much the same.
If you are struggling with rising prices, you could wait for conditions to improve, but that will do nothing for your ever-flattening wallet. If you are to survive the inflation epidemic, you need a plan for attack, and those survival strategies may be easier to implement than you think. Here are some simple ways to deal with rising prices and keep your family budget under control.
Buy I-Bonds from the U.S. Treasury
When inflation rises, the value of many asset classes falls, but there's at least one notable exception. The U.S. Treasury offers a class of bonds with yields tied to inflation, and the current round is paying more than 7 percent a year.
Purchases are limited to $10,000 a year for individuals, and these inflation-protected bonds, or I-bonds, must be purchased directly from the government. That having been said, it's easy to set up an account and buy the bonds, and doing so could turn the inflation crisis into a source of profit.
Stock Up on Household Essentials
In the early days of the pandemic, many people began hoarding household essentials. With toilet paper disappearing from store shelves and hand sanitizer hard to find, this stocking up seemed like common sense, but it had another important benefit.
In times of rising prices, being fully stocked with paper goods, canned foods, and other shelf-stable items is a sure way to save money, and it's still not too late. With prices expected to rise even more, jumping on every sale and buying extra could be a great way to save money and actually profit from inflation.
Ask Your Boss for a Raise
One of the drivers of inflation is tightness in the labor market, and that could be good news for you. With qualified workers scarce and millions of jobs still unfilled, employers are becoming more willing to pay more, and this could be the perfect time to ask the boss for a raise.
If you have a solid track record at work, asking for a raise could be one way to survive the current inflation crisis. With dollars in short supply, every extra one counts, and getting a raise could relieve the strain on yourself and your family.
Join a Carpool
When gas was cheap, you were reluctant to join the office carpool, but now things have changed. With gas prices soaring, it may finally be time to leave your car in the garage more and let your coworkers drive you to work.
If carpooling is not in the cards, telecommuting is another environmentally friendly option to explore. Anything that keeps your car in the garage will be good for your personal bottom line, at least until the supply-chain worries ease and the energy starts flowing again.
Become a Smart Shopper
Prices may be rising, but that does not mean there are no bargains to be found. It has never been more important to be a smart shopper, and there are still ways to save money on everything from groceries and household essentials to toys, games, and other diversions.
From bargain hunting sites on the internet to double-coupon day at the grocery store, there are still money-saving strategies to be utilized, and the more of them you use, the more cash you can keep in your pocket. It may not solve the inflation crisis, but the smart shopping strategies you learn could help your household budget both now and in the future.
Consult a Financial Professional
Extra money to invest may not be in the cards, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead. Be willing to sit down with a Financial Adviser and create a plan for your future. A short meeting to evaluate your finances, your budget, and set up a plan could save you a lot of money in the long run. A fresh perspective on your finances may offer you options you couldn’t see on your own.
While every economist and expert has their own opinion, no one truly knows when the current levels of high inflation will ease. With that kind of uncertainty, the only way forward is to take control of what you can. The strategies listed above can help you survive, and in some cases actually profit from, elevated prices.