Inflation Hit Hard—These Are the Habits That Saved Me

Let’s be real—when inflation started creeping into every corner of my budget, I panicked a little. Okay, a lot. I’d always prided myself on being smart with money, but suddenly, my “just fine” monthly plan felt like it was bleeding cash. Grocery totals shocked me. My electric bill felt like a prank. Even my go-to streaming bundle somehow ballooned in cost overnight.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to feel helpless when prices rise. You just have to learn how to pivot—with intention.

As a financial planner (and someone who’s lived through the oh-so-fun experience of reshuffling every spending category), I’m here to tell you: it’s absolutely possible to stay ahead of inflation without giving up everything you love. Here's how I did it—and how you can too.

The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

Before I made any big financial changes, I had to tackle my mindset first. Inflation isn’t just about prices—it’s about how we respond to a changing economy. As revealed by Debt.com, a Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey found that even though 88% of Americans say they’re very worried about inflation, household spending is still rising above pre-pandemic levels.

That stat hit home for me. It shows how powerful our emotional response to money can be—we’re stressed, yet still swiping. So I knew if I wanted to get ahead, I had to shift my mindset first. Here’s what helped me reframe my thinking and regain control:

1. From Cutting Back to Spending Smarter

At first, I treated inflation like a temporary inconvenience. “Cut back a little here, a little there,” I thought. But by month three of watching my money stretch less and less, I realized I needed a mindset shift.

Instead of focusing on restriction, I leaned into strategy. I started asking: What’s actually worth my money right now? That single question reshaped how I approached my entire budget.

2. Inflation Isn’t Just a Phase

Once I accepted that inflation wasn’t going to magically disappear, I gave myself permission to adjust long-term—not just short-term. This wasn’t about white-knuckling it through a few tough weeks. It was about evolving my habits to stay sustainable through any economic season.

3. Adapting Psychologically Was Half the Battle

If you’re feeling exhausted from trying to keep up, I get it. There’s a quiet grief that comes with realizing your old spending habits don’t work anymore. But here's what helped me: reframing inflation as a challenge I could outsmart—not a punishment I had to endure.

Food and Groceries: My Biggest Wins

Groceries were eating up my budget faster than I could swipe my card. So I got strategic—and a little scrappy. These are the food moves that made the biggest difference in my monthly spending:

1. Shopping with Strategy, Not Stress

I used to shop by habit—same stores, same brands, same routines. That had to change. I started rotating stores based on who had the best deals that week. I signed up for digital coupons. And I built my weekly meal plan after I saw what was on sale.

2. Creating an Inflation-Proof Pantry

This was a game-changer. I stocked up on pantry staples like rice, beans, canned goods, and frozen veggies during sales and learned to build meals around those. It gave me a base that felt like a safety net—no more last-minute, high-cost grocery runs.

3. Meal Planning That Saved Me Hundreds

I’m not naturally a meal prep queen, but I found a method that worked for me: batch-cooking just 2–3 meals a week, then rotating with leftovers and pantry staples. Not only did this save me money, but I also stopped ordering takeout “just this once” out of exhaustion.

4. Smart Brand Swaps That Didn’t Hurt

Name brands? Not always worth it. I started testing store-brand versions of everything. Some were just as good (or better), and the savings added up fast—like $20 to $30 per trip fast.

Housing Costs: Playing Defense and Offense

Housing isn’t just rent or a mortgage—it’s utilities, maintenance, subscriptions, and lifestyle choices.

I learned to play defense on what I was already paying and offense on ways to trim costs without sacrificing comfort.

1. Renegotiating What I Already Had

One weekend, I sat down with a big mug of coffee and went line-by-line through my recurring bills. I called my insurance provider and got a better rate. Canceled two subscriptions I hadn’t touched in months. Switched internet plans. That one Saturday saved me over $600 a year.

2. Sharing Space Strategically

I’ll be honest—I was hesitant about getting a roommate again in my 30s. But when rent jumped and a friend needed a place, I gave it a shot. The extra $800/month cushion gave me breathing room and helped me hit my savings goals faster than ever.

3. Small Energy Habits, Big Impact

Swapping bulbs for LEDs, installing weather strips, using smart plugs—I didn’t expect much. But after a full billing cycle, my electricity bill was down 12%. These little changes, layered over time, added up more than I expected.

4. When Moving Made Sense (and When It Didn’t)

I seriously considered moving to a cheaper area—but after crunching the numbers (and factoring in commuting costs), it wasn’t worth it. Instead, I focused on optimizing where I was. For others, a move can make sense, but always run the full math before you pack those boxes.

Transportation: Getting Creative with Movement

Getting from A to B used to be automatic for me. But inflation forced me to rethink how I moved—and it ended up saving me more than I expected.

1. Doing the Math on My Commute

Gas prices made me reevaluate everything. I calculated how much I was spending weekly on my car vs. taking public transit—and I was stunned. Even with occasional ride shares, I saved over $150/month switching to the train for most of my commutes.

2. Carpooling Isn’t Just for College

A coworker lived a few blocks away. Once we teamed up for a few days a week, both of us saved time and money. Plus, we actually got to know each other better. Win-win.

3. Driving More Efficiently (Yes, Really)

Simple changes—like keeping my tires properly inflated, driving at consistent speeds, and avoiding idling—helped my gas last longer. I tracked fuel economy with an app and shaved off about 8–10% from my usual costs.

4. Staying Ahead on Maintenance

I used to wait until something broke. Now, I schedule regular checkups and do basic upkeep myself. It’s not glamorous, but it’s saved me from major repair bills—one oil change at a time.

The Income Side: Making More in an Inflated World

Cutting costs helped, but growing my income gave me breathing room. I found ways to earn more in a changing economy—some intentional, some accidental, all worth sharing.

1. Picking Side Hustles That Scale

I tested a few side hustles, but the winners were the ones that had room to grow. Freelance writing and financial coaching turned into steady gigs. The key? Focus on skills, not just quick wins.

2. Negotiating with Confidence

During my last job switch, I asked for 12% more than I thought I’d get—and got it. Why? Because I came prepared with data on market rates, framed my request around value, and practiced that conversation in the mirror a lot.

3. Upping My Skill Set

I took a low-cost online course on digital tools I kept hearing about. Within three months, it landed me higher-paying opportunities—and boosted my confidence to boot.

4. Gig Economy Goldmines

Looking back, I wish I’d jumped on certain platforms sooner. From tutoring to renting out gear I wasn’t using, there were more income options than I realized. I just had to get creative.

Smart Substitutions That Didn’t Feel Like Sacrifices

Nobody wants to feel like they’re giving up everything just to stay afloat. These are the swaps I made that felt empowering, not punishing—and saved me a ton.

1. Reworking My Fun Budget

Movie nights at home with homemade popcorn? Still a blast. Game nights with friends instead of pricey dinners out? Surprisingly more fun. I found ways to enjoy life without paying premium for everything.

2. The Subscription Cleanout

I did a “subscription audit” and realized I was double-paying for services I didn’t use. After trimming down, I freed up over $200/month—without missing anything essential.

3. Embracing DIY

From home repairs to self-care rituals, I learned to enjoy the process of doing it myself. YouTube and Reddit became my new best friends.

4. Socializing Without Spending Big

Instead of always defaulting to pricey plans, I started inviting friends for hikes, coffee walks, or potlucks. Shockingly, it made our connections feel deeper—not cheaper.

Building Inflation-Resistant Habits for the Long Term

Once I figured out what worked, I built systems to keep it going. Here’s how I set myself up to handle inflation long-term without feeling like I’m constantly playing catch-up:

1. Tracking My Way to Clarity

I use a spreadsheet (nothing fancy!) to track spending and spot patterns. Seeing the numbers helped me course-correct faster and stay honest with myself.

2. Automating the Good Stuff

Savings transfers, bill payments, investing contributions—automating these made sure my priorities happened without me needing to remember them constantly.

3. Future-Proofing My Budget

I now build in “inflation buffers”—extra padding in categories like groceries and transportation—so I’m not caught off guard by price jumps.

4. Emergency Fund Evolution

I increased my emergency fund target to reflect higher living costs. It gave me peace of mind knowing I was protected at today’s prices, not last year’s.

What I Wish I'd Known Earlier

Looking back, there are things I wish someone had told me at the start. If you’re just now making these adjustments, let me save you a few headaches.

1. Mistakes That Cost Me

Waiting too long to adjust. Assuming prices would drop back down. Holding onto routines that no longer made sense. I lost money early on by not adapting faster.

2. Spending Red Flags

Subscriptions I forgot about. Grocery trips without a list. Social plans I said yes to out of guilt. I learned to pause and ask: Does this align with my priorities?

3. The Tools That Made the Difference

Budgeting apps, cashback trackers, and podcasts (shoutout to HerMoney and Brown Ambition) gave me the tips and motivation I needed.

4. Staying Motivated When Progress Felt Slow

There were weeks where nothing seemed to move. But celebrating small wins—like bringing lunch to work all week or saying no to a splurge—kept me grounded.

“The biggest lessons aren’t about cutting costs—they’re about changing habits, spotting the red flags, and celebrating every small win along the way.”

My Five Cents!

• Build Your Inflation Buffer – Add 10–15% wiggle room to high-volatility budget categories like groceries and gas.
• Audit Your Subscriptions Quarterly – Set a calendar reminder to trim the fat and reclaim that cash.
• Automate Like a Pro – Set your savings and bill payments on autopilot to avoid slip-ups.
• Rethink Fun – Make plans that strengthen your relationships and your wallet.
• Stay Curious – Whether it’s a new side hustle or budgeting app, keep exploring ways to optimize.

Staying Ahead Without Falling Behind

No one taught us how to budget for a world where eggs double in price overnight. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that small, intentional changes add up—especially when they come from a place of clarity, not panic. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. Just take the next smart step. Then the one after that. You've got this, and I’m cheering you on all the way.