Inflation Avoidance?

[kmiklas]

What are y’all doing to get around inflation?

Some is unavoidable, but this has helped me a lot:

- Repairing my old car. Instead of buying a new one. Saving huge dollars.
- Food shopping at cheaper stores. I save about 50% by traveling a few miles away
- Taking advantage of credit card promos. For example, I get 5% cash back on fuel purchases from one card.
- Curtailing eating out. This really adds up… making omelettes and soup at home is both healthier and cheaper.
- Local vacations. Instead of an expensive vacation overseas, I did some driveable day-trips this year.
- Laddering bonds. Taking advantage of high short-term T-Bill rates. They’re heading towards 6%… pretty good for an existentially risk-free investment.

Any other ideas?

 

[Robert Morse]

US Inflation Rate is at 4.05%. This is not that HIGH IMO! I'm happy to have the opportunity to buy IBONDS, T-BILLs and make a decent return in a savings account. They are all equal to or greater than the current inflation rate. And what I earn on these are much greater than the increase in my bills.

 

[kmiklas]

US Inflation Rate is at 4.05%. This is not that HIGH IMO! I'm happy to have the opportunity to buy IBONDS, T-BILLs and make a decent return in a savings account. They are all equal to or greater than the current inflation rate. And what I earn on these are much greater than the increase in my bills.

Well the damage is done… the stuff I buy has pretty much doubled in price since this whole fiasco commenced.

 

[Robert Morse]

Doubled? Not for me. My food bills are up about 10% at ShopRite since before COVID. I see the biggest increase at restaurants, , but that is because they mark up costs at 3x and now have to pay a higher wage to kitchen workers that were way under paid before.

 

[maxinger]

When inflation is getting higher and higher, traders earn more $$$$ because the market is moving.
So traders can spend more $$$$ for
food, vacation, cars, babes ...


When inflation is stagnant, traders earn less $$$$ because the market is NOT moving.
So traders have to spend less $$$$ for
food, vacation, cars, babes ...

_____________________

 

[M.W.]

We all know real inflation is at least twice as high. The ever changing definition of the "inflation" basket has reached ludicrous levels. Housing being one of the biggest components, completely irrelevant for more than half or even more of the entire population, and easily calculable separately for the rest. The inflation most are exposed to currently stands at way above 8%

US Inflation Rate is at 4.05%. This is not that HIGH IMO! I'm happy to have the opportunity to buy IBONDS, T-BILLs and make a decent return in a savings account. They are all equal to or greater than the current inflation rate. And what I earn on these are much greater than the increase in my bills.

 

[zdreg]

US Inflation Rate is at 4.05%. This is not that HIGH IMO! I'm happy to have the opportunity to buy IBONDS, T-BILLs and make a decent return in a savings account. They are all equal to or greater than the current inflation rate. And what I earn on these are much greater than the increase in my bills.

It is true of your current basket. Government inflation numbers rarely reflect reality. Most Americans are two paychecks away from destitutionand face inflation rates much higher than the convoluted numbers reported to the general public.

 

[M.W.]

That sounds optimistic. I read the median bank balance to be around 400 bucks and 2 months out of the job without pay means severe hardship or close to bankruptcy.

It is true of your current basket. Government inflation numbers rarely reflect real reality. Most Americans are two paychecks away from destitution.

 

[tomkat22]

Sometimes it feels like the people who come up with that inflation number (4% ?) all have careers paying them >100K per year. Are those really the best persons to decide that number? They're probably impervious to the real effects of inflation. Ya know,like most senators and congressmen are. I personally feel it is way,way higher than 4%.

 

[notagain]

Sticky inflation is bad, gasoline, heating oil and housing.
Save money by canceling woke TV streaming services.