How To Save Money During Hard Times
How To Save Money During Hard Times
Anyone can use this advice
Are you having trouble getting groceries? Gas got you re-thinking where you go? Don’t know what to buy with the money you have?
I’m here to help you. It’s always helpful to have someone you can depend on. There are a lot of people struggling these days, myself included. I know what it is like to suffer. I know that sounds bad but it’s true. There are many people on this journey. I’m on this with you too.
People are suffering throughout the world, it’s not just in the United States. Prices on everything are rising every day. As soon as you get a handle on it, they go up again. We have never seen anything like this before.
There are people out there that don’t care that we are suffering. They don’t know our situations. Where is the compassion? People are lining up at food banks at churches. These are people who never thought they would have to go there. I’m sure there are a lot of families whose extended families have no idea what they are going through. How did we get to this position? There are people out of jobs, still coping with covid-related inflictions, people who are caregivers to relatives, and people who have no place to live. All of these instances compound the need for conserving money. Some people don’t have any money for food, gas, or medications.
The question is how do we save money? I’m going to tell you my formula. This is what I do every week and every day.
Saving Gas + Money
How do you save gas? That’s a good question everyone wants to know.
Limit your travel.
People say they have to go to Starbucks to get their specialty coffees. Do you really have to? Make coffee at home if you want it. Just think of what you could buy with the cost that you save. That coffee may just pay for your dinner or that medication your child needs.
Do you really need to go shopping? You might say, I need that dress for some party. That dress might just pay your grocery bill for a couple of weeks.
Think of the gas you have saved + other money, that can now go to certain needs.
What I Do To Save Gas
I take only trips that I need to. I go to the grocery store once a week. If I forget something, which is rare, it’s too late. I must wait until the next week to get it. If I need to go to the bank, my branch is on the way to the grocery store. When I need gas, the station is right at Walmart near the entrance. I take my Mother to her doctor’s appointments. There are two routes that can be taken. I take the route that cuts out two miles. Every little bit of gas saved is ideal.
Tip on How to Pay for Gas
If you have a bunch of loose change sitting around, you better get some wrappers and fill them up. You can find coin wrappers at your local stores. I got mine at Walmart. Fill those wrappers up and you’ll have instant cash. You’ll be surprised how much it adds up. When you’re done, take them to the bank and they will give you the equivalent in dollar bills. This is how I afford gas.
How to Save on Food and Meals
Think you can’t buy affordable meals? Think again. You can. I’m going to tell you how.
I shop at Walmart. You may go to another store where you can find what I’m about to explain. I realize that some of my readers are in different countries.
I’m going to show you three meals that you can prepare. I’ve figured the numbers for a per serving of one (1) person. I’ll put the original price in brackets.
Note: your best bet is to get store brand items
Dinner Meals
First Meal:
$0.29 – Great Value Soup [Original Price: $0.58]
$0.33 – Great Value Applesauce (any flavor) [Original Cost: $1.98 for 6 cups]
$0.18 – 1 Bottled Water [$4.98 for 28 bottles] – (could be $0.09 - don’t use whole bottle)
$0.37 – 1 Archway Cookie [$3.21]
$1.17 Total
Second Meal:
$0.34 – Great Value Beefaroni [Original Price: $0.67]
$0.33 – Great Value Applesauce [Original Cost: $1.98 for 6 cups]
$0.18 – 1 Bottled Water [$4.98 for 28 bottles] (could be $0.09 - not the whole bottle)
$0.37 – 1 Archway Cookie [$3.21]
$1.26 Total
Sometimes I can’t get the store brand so I have to switch to Chef Boyardee.
Third Meal:
$0.62 – Chef Boyardee Ravioli [Original Price: $1.24]
$0.33 – Great Value Applesauce (any flavor) [Original Cost: $1.98 for 6 cups]
$0.18 – 1 Bottled Water [$4.98 for 28 bottles] – (I don’t use whole bottle so could be $0.09)
$0.25 – Chocolate Pudding Cup [Original Price: $1.00]
$1.42 Total
These are just three variations. Sometimes I substitute Great Value Spaghetti Rings and Meatballs or it is Chef Boyardee Lasagna or one of the other concoctions. You get the idea.
Lunch & Breakfast
I haven’t delved into the pricing for lunch and breakfast yet. The prices keep fluctuating so much that by the time I calculate it, it has changed. I actually wrote the pricing down weeks ago and when I started writing this story, I had to change the pricing. So the pricing will be as of the date this is published.
As for breakfast, I just switched from Cheerios to the store brand. I have to admit that it has a weird taste. I don’t like it. Do I want to save money? Yes. It is only $1.86 versus up to $4.79 for the General Mills brand.
The orange juice I used to buy was smaller at 52 oz. and cost $3.18. I switched to the Great Value brand for 1 gallon and 128 oz. at a cost of $4.58. This one lasts three weeks vs. one week. I’m saving money. It has a funny taste to it but I can live with it, if I am saving money.
Conclusion
I hope I have helped anyone who might be in the same situation save some money. If you have had to conserve, how are you doing it? Any tips for us?
Until next time, happy reading.
-Matt
Great advice, Matt!
I had never been good with money until the start of the pandemic, when around 40+ years late to the party I finally started to budget my money. I find it very reassuring to have a system in place.
I wish I’d had better education in this kind of thing as a child.