🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Invest in Assets That Grow with Inflation
You can’t outsmart inflation by saving alone. You’ve got to grow your money faster than prices rise.
Think of it like this: while prices go up, your investments should be doing the same thing (but with style).
Here are smart assets that actually keep your money growing faster than inflation:
Real estate tends to rise with the cost of living and rent demand.
Stocks and ETFs grow faster than traditional savings accounts over time.
Commodities like gold or energy hold value when the dollar weakens.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one reliable growth asset, like a total market ETF, and set up an automatic investment every payday.
Make It Easy: Use Betterment to automate inflation-resistant investments without needing to check the stock charts daily.
2. Build an Emergency Fund in a High-Yield Savings Account
Let’s be real. Emergencies never send a calendar invite.
A high-yield savings account keeps you ready without losing money to inflation while it sits there.
Here’s how to make your emergency fund grow faster while keeping it safe:
Set aside at least 3–6 months of expenses for emergencies only.
Use an account that earns interest. don’t settle for pennies.
Automate deposits weekly, so it grows quietly in the background.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a high-yield account today and set a small auto-transfer (even $10/week adds up).
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to grow your emergency fund while keeping it easily accessible.
3. Pay Off Your Debt ASAP
You know what’s worse than inflation? Paying 25% interest on a credit card while it happens.
Debt grows faster than prices, so the less you owe, the more your money works for you instead of the bank.
Here’s how to crush your debt before it crushes your budget:
List all your debts from smallest to largest to get a clear picture.
Use the Debt Snowball method. Pay off the smallest first for quick wins.
Avoid adding new debt by using cash or debit for everyday purchases.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make an extra payment this month on your smallest debt and celebrate crossing it off.
Make It Easy: Try Undebt.it to organize and automate your payoff plan without any spreadsheets.
4. Cook at Home and Limit Dining Out
Restaurant prices have gone wild lately. It’s not just you noticing.
Cooking at home is one of the fastest ways to cut your monthly costs while eating healthier (bonus: fewer soggy fries).
Here’s how to make home-cooked meals cheaper and easier than takeout:
Plan simple meals for busy nights, like pasta, stir-fry, or sheet-pan dinners.
Use leftovers creatively. Yesterday’s chicken can be today’s tacos.
Keep quick staples on hand to avoid “ugh, let’s just order takeout” nights.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick two takeout nights this month and replace them with easy 20-minute dinners at home.
Make It Easy: Get a meal prep container set so you can batch-cook and store food conveniently.
5. Always Buy Essentials in Bulk
Buying in bulk isn’t just for coupon fanatics. It’s how smart shoppers beat inflation on autopilot.
When prices go up, bulk buyers get to sit back, smile, and use their stash.
Here’s how to make bulk buying save money without overstocking your garage:
Stock up on non-perishables like rice, toilet paper, detergent, and canned goods.
Buy meat or produce in bulk and freeze portions for later.
Join warehouse stores or share bulk purchases with friends to cut costs further.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make a list of high-use items in your home and buy them in family-size packs on your next trip.
Make It Easy: Try a chest freezer to keep bulk food purchases fresh longer and save more long-term.
6. Boost Your Income with a Small Side Hustle
Sometimes saving more isn’t the answer. You just need a little extra money coming in.
A small side hustle can fill the gap inflation creates without draining your time or energy.
Here are some easy ways to make more without working a second full-time job:
Offer local services like babysitting, pet sitting, or grocery delivery.
Use gig apps like Uber, DoorDash, or TaskRabbit for flexible income.
Sell your skills online through freelancing, tutoring, or digital products.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one simple side hustle that fits your lifestyle and try it for 30 days straight.
Make It Easy: Use KeeperTax to automatically track your side hustle income and tax deductions.
7. Find Cheaper Alternatives for Everyday Items
You don’t have to sacrifice quality to spend less. You just have to shop smarter.
Sometimes switching brands or products saves more than clipping coupons ever could.
Here’s how to replace overpriced items with affordable, long-lasting swaps:
Choose store-brand versions of groceries, medicines, and cleaning products.
Use online comparison tools to find lower prices before buying.
Swap expensive habits (like bottled drinks) for budget-friendly options (like a reusable bottle).
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next grocery run, swap five name-brand items for cheaper store versions and see how it adds up.
Make It Easy: Try a reusable stainless steel water bottle to cut waste and avoid constant store runs.
8. Cut Impulse Spending
We’ve all been there. scrolling online, and suddenly a $12 “life-changing” gadget ends up in the cart.
Impulse spending is sneaky, but stopping it frees up serious cash for things that actually matter.
Here’s how to keep those “add to cart” moments under control:
Unsubscribe from retail emails and mute app notifications that tempt you.
Use the 24-hour rule before buying anything nonessential.
Keep a wish list so you can plan purchases instead of reacting to sales.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before buying anything online, wait one day. If you still want it tomorrow, it’s worth it.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to find and cancel unused subscriptions draining your wallet in the background.
9. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
When you earn more, it’s tempting to spend more. because, well, you “deserve it.”
But lifestyle inflation is sneaky; it makes a higher income feel the same as before.
Here’s how to keep your income gains instead of losing them to new expenses:
Keep your spending the same even after a raise or bonus.
Automate your savings increases as your income grows.
Set a fun budget for treats so you don’t feel deprived.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: When you get a raise, bump your automatic savings by the same percentage.
Make It Easy: Use a money-saving challenge jar to visually track how much of your raise stays yours.
10. Buy Long-Lasting Quality Items
Buying cheap often means buying twice.
Quality items might cost more upfront, but they save you money over time by lasting years instead of months.
Here’s how to invest in items that actually pay for themselves:
Choose sturdy materials like stainless steel, wood, or leather over plastic.
Read reviews to ensure you’re paying for durability, not hype.
Stick to classic styles that stay useful and never go “out of season.”
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: When shopping, compare the cost per year of use. Sometimes the pricier item is actually cheaper long-term.
Make It Easy: Get a leather wallet or bag that lasts for years instead of replacing cheap ones constantly.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
