This past week…oof.

Like many others, I’ve born witness to my IRA and my husband’s 401k accounts taking a nosedive. On top of that, now we’ll have to contend with higher prices on many items. Because they just weren’t high enough already. #greedflation

Fellow Millennials are fully aware that this isn’t our first rodeo when it comes to major financial crashes and/or recessions in our lifetimes. We’re sadly somewhat used to it by now. Another day, another once-in-a-fucking-lifetime-event.

Sigh.

That said, there are still ways to save even as costs rise. Since 2020 when my paid consulting work has become more unpredictable (it’s become a true feast or famine freelancing cycle, super fun!), I’ve developed some strategies to keep costs down – especially with the unpredictability of the past few months for many of us.

For Groceries: Shop the Sales, and Clip Digital and Paper Coupons

You know those sales papers that come in your mailbox once a week? Take a look through those to see what’s on sale, and build your grocery list based on those items. Also use the digital and print coupons that your local grocery stores offer and use them to your full advantage. Do your best to shop at locally-owned stores, or even consider a CSA Share if you want to keep things really local (although the upfront cost of a CSA Share is high, the savings over the season can often be substantial compared to what’s available at your local grocer).

For Furniture and Other Non-Consumables: Wait for Sales, or Buy Used

Fun Fact: Most of the furniture in my house are hand-me-downs, or are purchased used or heavily discounted. Most recently, I purchased a nearly-new couch from a local outlet store – the original price was about $4,000 (eeeeek), but it was marked down to $1,600. For other items like clothing and shoes, either buy when on sale or purchase them used. Or, better yet – consider whether your actually need these items, or if they can wait.

Fix or Repair Broken Items

I was so excited when I got my first new pair of mittens in years a few months ago. They were adorable and I was looking forward to showing them off. Imagine my dismay when one of them started falling apart not even a month after I purchased them. Instead of throwing them away and buying another new pair, I leveraged my dormant sewing and knitting skills and was able to repair them. Nearly good as new!

I’ve also repaired hems on pants and shirts, as well as small holes in other items of clothing, in an effort to get them to last longer. My husband is a Mr. Fix-It and is able to fix many electronics around the house himself. Many YouTube videos are available to learn from, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself check around to see if there is a handyman/handywoman or someone who can do repairs. Oftentimes it’ll be cheaper than getting a new item, and this way it’s more sustainable.

Barter or Use Buy Nothing Groups

One person’s trash is another person’s…well, you know. Join a local Buy Nothing Group to either get rid of items collecting dust in your house or get something you want/need without having to shell out your hard-earned money. Or, consider bartering either possessions you no longer want and/or services for items or services that you need.

Cancel Subscriptions You No Longer Want or Need

Do you really watch all of the streaming services you currently subscribe to that makes it worth it to spend your money on? Or that magazine subscription that you used to be excited to read but now just flip through and then chuck into the recycling bin? Maybe it’s time to trim some of the ones that no longer serve you.

Recently I cancelled Discovery+ since I wasn’t really watching it much anymore, as well as my subscription to Women’s Health because the amount of issues I was getting was dwindling while at the same time the magazine itself was no longer the same quality as what I used to receive (sorry, Hearst, but it’s true). I also cancelled my subscription to a local paper – which broke my heart to do, but again, the quality of reporting just wasn’t up to part with how it used to be, and the prices kept creeping up. Seems like that’s the case with most everything nowadays…

Leverage Your Library

With it being National Library Week this week (yes, it’s a thing!), now is a good time to remind you of these amazing community centers where you can check out movies, music, books, magazines, and more. Plus, depending on your library’s services you can also access 3D printers, a recording studio, study spaces, children’s play area, free or discounted passes to local museums and attractions, and more. Libraries are such an amazing community resource and since many of us are paying for them anyway with our property taxes, take advantage of it! I rarely buy new books or magazines any longer – I just pick up a bunch at my local library, which saves me a ton of money.

Of course there are many other ways to save money, but at least using the above strategies you can get a good head start to weather this current financial crisis!