Where’s the inflation? For me, that almost seems like a stupid question, but here I am, asking for answers!
As is my usual, I often talk with Hubs as he is on the road. Today he is somewhere in Kansas. He told me about the packed restaurant parking lots, massive homes under construction, oodles of out-of-state license plates obviously heading to some big game or another, pretty much people living life as though nothing has changed.
While it is accurate that I don’t get out much (I haven’t left the house in 3+ days!), I am still painfully aware that prices for pretty much everything have skyrocketed. Do others not see it? Or do they just not care? Are others simply absorbing the higher costs? Or are they merely wanting to live life after 2+ years of this “C” thing? …Or what is it that we are not seeing? From what Hubs tells me, not much seems to have changed.
I’m not judging but simply making an observation, which could also be completely inaccurate. While we have felt the need to make changes, I also realize we all have different circumstances. I am no longer working; we are dealing with a lot of additional expenses trying to settle up MIL’s estate; we also have some big goals…BUT we also see and feel the inflation. In reality, I think I see it more than Hubs, or at least when it comes to day-to-day expenses. But still, we both do see it!
So back to my original question, which perhaps I should rephrase. Has inflation impacted your life, and if so, are you doing anything differently? Please tell me I’m not alone!
This inflation is nothing compared to what I lived through in the 70’s and early 80’s. Don’t worry about single digit inflation. Most likely you’ll get to see double digit inflation sometime in the future. It’s not a big deal, paychecks go up and everything adjusts. Been there, done that.
Always good to hear from a survivor! Hopefully, we will be better off by then if we see those double digits. Right now, settling MIL’s estate has been by far our biggest burden. But, there is possibly good news on the horizon.
I’m seeing it, and we’re feeling it, but I can’t say we’re doing too much differently than planned. We already were trying to shift to living on one income so trying to cut fluff, focus on needs or priorities if not a need. I’m sure though if I wasn’t working from home, we’d be impacted more. My car likely would have 30,000 more miles of wear and tear and the cost of gas would be felt. I’d also be buying more convenience foods likely and lunch and coffee meetings.
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Shifting to one income is a good perspective. And cutting out the fluff…I get that! It is surprising how much one can do without when circumstances change. Although you are still earning an income, working from home does have a lot of cost-saving advantages.
Definitely feel it as a retired single person….social security checks did go up but that small amount was wiped out significantly by Medicare increases. When retired no way to work more to bring in money in most cases. A single person has one check but yet still same house bills, etc. can make retirement hard or out of reach for many now.
I believe you are in one of the worst-hit categories. I would hope the government takes a good look at those on social security. With the Medicare increase and now the high inflation, that has become a tough spot to be in.
I’m noticing it. I order quite a bit online, since I live so far from stores. Things I normally order have gone up. We went to get our car washed the other day while in the city – they raised their prices 25% for a car wash. I think most people don’t have a choice but to deal with it. And honestly, I think there are a bunch of people out there who don’t even know what they spend each month. I’m sure their credit card balances are slowly increasing. We (for medical reasons really) have cut down on buying meats, which is saving.
I’m glad I’m not the only one noticing it. During the summer months, I wash our vehicles at home. “The works package” at the car wash used to be $12. Now it is $14.50. You bring up an excellent point about those who don’t even know what they spend per month. While they might not initially feel it, at some point, they will.
I can’t say I’ve noticied it too much – apart from petrol!!! That’s not to say prices aren’t going up but I know what I usually spend on groceries per week and I haven’t really found much difference (so far)!
I think your difference (apart from fuel) aligns with what One Family commented. I think knowing what you spend makes you more aware. Glad you can manage the increase.
Prices have increased! We spent little. However, the worst part is not getting good produce for our money some days. We never went out to eat much. And, we have cut down on fast food. The few things we buy, we can afford. We both pay off our credit card debt each month.
All smart things, Linda! You are living within your means, even with the crazy high prices!
Things are definitely going up … I got an increase of $100 extra a month, but I am luck to have very few expenses. Not everyone gets a pay raise to deflect the increase in gas etc. Fruits, veg, meat all have increased – even if you budget, most folks will have to stretch the $$$
That is true about raises. Hubs hasn’t received one. His wages have increased….by working more. Thankfully doing so has helped offset what I am no longer earning. I’m also offsetting the inflation by being far more mindful of my spending. In times such as this, we do what we need to do.