Behind the Vault

Do rising prices have you concerned? If so, you are not alone. While rising prices may be cause for concern, there are things you can do to curb your expenses and still keep your financial goals in mind.

 Start by reviewing your budget and adjust as needed. While there are some things you can’t adjust, like how much groceries and gas cost, there are some things you can control. Groceries, for instance. Order online. By placing your order online, you know ahead of time what you are purchasing and how much your total bill will be. If you are someone who likes to shop in the store, make a list and stick to it. Substitute name brands for store brands when possible, and shop sales and coupons. ‘Shop your pantry’ before grocery shopping. This simply means, see what you already have at home before you shop, and try to plan meals around what you already have in your pantry.

 Meal prep. This one is huge. Many of us have busy schedules. Maybe you work full-time, have children in school and extra-curricular activities. Whatever your schedule looks like, I can’t stress meal prepping enough. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save on your groceries and dining out expenses with a little planning.

For savings on gas, try to consolidate trips as much as possible. Use an app to see where the cheapest gas prices are. Consider carpooling if that is an option. Also, regular maintenance on your auto may help improve your gas mileage.

For other areas of potential savings, check your insurance policies and cell phone policy to make sure you are getting the best rates. Review your monthly subscriptions. If you use them, are they meeting your current needs, or could you scale back or even cancel them if you no longer use them?

Prioritize. There are some things you may want to exclude from your budget for now or find lower-cost alternatives for, and that is ok. Give yourself permission to make changes as you need to. You can always reevaluate your needs again at a later time.