Behind the Vault

Does inflation in the cost of living have you concerned? If so, you are not alone. While rising prices may be cause for concern, here are some things you can do to adjust your budget as needed.

Take the time to review your monthly expenses. The amounts that worked for gas, groceries, and other expenses last year, or even a few months ago, may not be feasible now.

Also, consider prioritizing. You may want to exclude some things from your budget for now or find lower-cost alternatives.

Two significant areas that impact monthly budgets are gas and groceries. Let's focus specifically on these:

Gas

While there are some things you can’t adjust, for instance, the cost of gas and the need to get from point A to point B, there are some things you can control.

• Try to consolidate trips as much as possible.
• Use an app to find the cheapest gas prices are. 
• Consider carpooling if that is an option.
• Regular maintenance on your auto may help improve your gas mileage.

Groceries

• Shop online and save the trip to the store. Many stores offer free delivery of groceries and many other items. By placing your order online, you know ahead of time what you are purchasing and how much your total bill will be. If you feel like you must go into the store, make a list, and stick to it.
• Substitute name brands for store brands when possible.
• Shop sales and coupons.
• Another way of keeping grocery expenses down is by “shopping your pantry.” Many of us have items in our pantry or freezer from which we could make several meals. Set a challenge for yourself to use as much as possible of what we have on hand before purchasing more.