Recently, there has been this ongoing preoccupation with how expenses are on the rise while wages remain the same. This makes people wonder how they can cope and whether we are on the brim of poverty (Newbery, 2022).
The first important thing to realise is that complaining will lead nowhere. Rather than dwelling on what is happening, it is more important to formulate an action plan. Consider what one’s salary is and ensure that one does not exceed it while putting something aside for one’s future (no matter how small that amount might be) (Newbery, 2022).
Budgeting
Knowing your salary and expenses can help you distribute money accordingly. This can enable you to understand how much money needs to be allocated to groceries, house essentials, leisure, and bills. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll need to prioritize what is essential. Following this, you can allocate money accordingly, and areas, where you can save more, can be identified. Budgeting can either be done online or simply on a piece of paper. The important thing is to be comfortable with your own budget and to understand where you are spending your salary (Newbery, 2022).
Reducing food costs
Some individuals believe that reducing food costs will affect their choice of food. Although one might be more conscious of one’s choices, the best way to reduce food costs is to cut down on food waste. At times, one buys things that go bad before using them. Hence, it is important to calculate how much one consumes, plan meals ahead, and buy accordingly. This will help one avoid last-minute grocery shopping, which might be more expensive. Furthermore, one can also freeze leftover portions to avoid wastage. Another way to reduce food costs is to look out for bargains. Prices might be reduced when the expiration date is near. Therefore, if one knows that the item will be used before the expiration date then it might be worth getting it at bargain prices. Finally, being loyal to a particular shop might help one reduce food costs by getting loyalty points, rewards, or free drinks (Newbery, 2022).
Avoid making debt
As tempting as it may seem, try to avoid using credit cards to buy certain luxuries. Although it might seem nice and efficient, keep in mind that if one does not pay the debt at the end of the month, then interest rates will incur. Thus, this will make it even harder for one to stay within the said budget. During this period of economic uncertainty, one needs to try and avoid unnecessary costs, despite how tempting it might seem (Newbery, 2022).
It is important to keep in mind that ignoring or complaining about the increase in the cost of living will not change anything. It is more beneficial to contemplate change and see the way forward (Newbery, 2022).
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Yasmine Bonnici graduated in Nursing and also completed her Masters’s in Counselling. She has worked with victims of domestic violence, clients dealing with suicidal ideations, bereavement, separation and anxieties. She is currently working with Willingness Team as a counsellor seeing clients who would like to explore their own identity and deal with any surfacing issues.
Bibliography
Newbery, E. (2022) 4 ways to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, The Motley Fool. Available at: https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/4-ways-to-cope-with-the-cost-of-living-crisis/ (Accessed: 23 May 2023).