How has your life changed during a period of rising prices?

My husband and I reached a consensus on living austerity together the year before last, and at the same time developed the habit of keeping detailed accounts, tracking the inflow and whereabouts of funds, in order to increase the savings rate and thus improve investment performance. The purpose of accounting is to "catch the leaks" of various unnecessary and excessive expenses in life, let us evaluate how to adjust our daily consumption behavior. Looking at the results of the whole year, except for the unavoidable fixed and necessary expenses, even if other consumption has been reduced, due to the acceleration of inflation in the past two years, it can be found that the most obvious price increases are people's livelihood food and oil prices (it seems to be nonsense). Therefore, our family austerity policy starts from the two aspects of food and transportation.

Eating: reduce eating out, greedy consumption is greatly reduced

I used to like to eat grilled squid in the night market. In just two years, the price has risen from 110 yuan to 150 yuan, and the weight has shrunk slightly. Anyway, it is no longer enjoyable to eat, so I just quit. By the way, it's been a long time since I went to the night market. This is a field that clearly feels the strength of inflation. In fact, I have a point that I don't understand: night market vendors don't need store rentals, and don't need too much equipment and equipment costs, why do they increase prices as much as ordinary stores? And the price is not much cheaper than the store.

In terms of hand-cranked drinks, I used to like to drink a certain company's pearl fresh milk tea, which has dropped from ten times a year to 0 times. Other beverages such as cola and supermarkets are not suitable for the body to consume too much sugar anyway. Simply (not compulsive) quit.

McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC and other weekend night evil foods have changed from an average of once a month to once or twice a year. As for late-night snacks such as salted crispy chicken and lo-mei, it has been reduced from almost a dozen times a year to twice.

And cafes, in addition to social needs, almost do not consume.

The unavoidable consumption is the daily ingredients. In the past, I ate a big meal twice a month, and I usually eat out once or twice a day almost every day. Since April last year, it has been changed to cooking all by itself, excluding family and friends visiting the restaurant. Since April last year, the number of meals outside the restaurant has been less than three times.

The reason why I started to cook my own life is not only because of the high price, but also because of health. The doctor advised me to eat more prototype food, and eating out often comes in contact with too many processed ingredients. After I started cooking myself, I gradually developed my own private recipes, developed a variety of cooking methods for one ingredient, and found that reading recipes is also a kind of fun. Her husband, who never set foot in the kitchen and thought cooking was a hassle and wasted time, also evolved. From the beginning, I didn’t know that garlic had to be peeled, and now I can wash, cut, and stir-fry vegetables. I took the opportunity to brainwash my husband. Cooking is not a chore, but a daily ritual that heals the mood and cultivates the beauty of life. The time when two people prepare meals together is often a good opportunity to chat. This is the joy of life that we have never discovered in the past when we always "outsourced food".

I used to mistakenly think that it is cheaper to eat out if there are not many people. In fact, it is not. In the past, the cost of eating out for two people on weekends was about 2,000 yuan, but it was changed to about 800 yuan for self-cooking. , more variety, and more satiety (my husband and I are both big eaters, and the portion of outside food is usually insufficient, either more meals or extra snacks).

Transportation/Oil

For environmental reasons, I usually use bicycles to travel, try to use public transportation, and only ride motorcycles when necessary. This habit has been maintained for more than ten years, so the high oil price has little effect on me. But my husband is different, a car is necessary for work. Whether or not to drive a car has never been a question before. If you want to drive, you must start to think about its necessity. After the route is planned, shopping and errands are done as much as possible at one time, and ingredients and supplies are also purchased at one time.

I used to drive for a drive when I had nothing to do, but it didn't matter as I drove further and further away, I unconsciously turned into a small trip. But now it has been changed to more hiking in the mountains, and I use my feet to explore, and I accidentally found several scenic mountain trails.

My husband and I are a weekend couple. If my husband evaluates that we will not use a car when we go home on weekends, we will change to a round trip by train. The fuel price for a round trip by car is about 500-600 yuan, and a round trip by train is about 150-190 yuan (you can use the EasyCard for short distances). 20% off, except Puyuma, Taroko and round-the-island sightseeing trains). The two people's means of transportation near their homes were changed to bicycles, which were all like carrying goods, grocery shopping, and traveling. In fact, it was full of fun.

In addition to food and transportation, the consumption of daily necessities and clothing has also been reduced (from buying multiple times a year when I see itchy hands, it is changed to once a year, if there is a shortage, I will buy it again or reserve at most one point, and do not stock up a lot) In short , is to follow the core principles of the renunciation movement: precise consumption, only buying what is necessary rather than wanting, spending less money, and reducing the clutter in the living space. According to such a saving habit, at least 10,000-15,000 will be saved a month, and these savings can be used for more planning and use in future investment.

Overall experience:

Although I consume less, I have unexpectedly developed fun that I have never tried before. I eat healthier, walk more, and the satisfaction of life does not drop but rises. How has your lifestyle changed in times of inflation? Let’s share and brainstorm together, and if I relate to this article, I will clap my hands.

May you all remain content and prosperous in times of inflation.