Managing lifestyle creep is challenging financially and psychologically, especially with inflation. Expert strategies keep day-to-day spending in check.
by Renée Sylvestre-Williams
Money Sense
The other day I had to run out to buy cooking oil to make dinner. I knew which brand I wanted because it was a good size and it was cheap—$5 when I bought it about three months ago. I was surprised and annoyed to find out that the same bottle of oil, which was the exact same size and shape with the same type of oil in it, was now $7.
It had gone up $2 in the last three months. Now, that doesn’t sound like a lot since it’s “only two dollars,” which shouldn’t affect your budget. But add in other expenses like the cost of gas, other grocery items and rent, and those “tiny” increases add up. Inflation really makes the wallet hurt.