Helpful hints during inflationary times for poor folks who make less than $300K/yr

Bill.in.PA · 2024-02-16T22:12:03.763Z

Yes, a pound of lentils is not the same as a pound of hamburger.

A basic problem is that the government has been cooking the books to make inflation look lower than it really is. Lower inflation rate means the inflation-adjusted (“real”) GDP appears to be bigger as well.

In 1980, US inflation rate was calculated based on the retail price of a market-basket of goods. Since then, the CPI has been changed to allow the substitution of lower-cost alternatives and to ignore the cost government-mandated changes. For example, in you can’t buy a car or appliance today that would meet 1980 safety and efficiency requirements. The cost of meeting the modern requirements is real, but they are not included in the inflation figures. Home-ownership costs are based on simulations not actual prices.

https://www.shadowstats.com/alternate_data/inflation-charts
https://www.shadowstats.com/article/no-438-public-comment-on-inflation-measurement

DougBH · 2024-02-16T23:34:25.731Z

To be fair to Biden, he has been good for my oil company stocks and pharmaceutical stocks.

Nemesis · 2024-02-17T00:30:20.819Z

Roxiebelle:

Bill.in.PA:

Who is to blame for the high cost of living the US?

Whoever is running Bidens Administration and I think its Obama, the worst thing to happen to this country in my lifetime.

Lol of course you think its Obama because thats what right wing media and especially social media has told you.

The Obamas are enjoying their money and freedom from politics. There is absolutely no evidence that Obama is a puppet master.

Smyrna · 2024-02-17T02:19:22.029Z

Guilds:

I do not blame Trump…

I do blame Reaganomics.

I blame an irresponsible, out of control wasteful spending, primarily self-interested government…

…but that’s just me.

Optrader · 2024-02-17T03:45:49.172Z

Remember Obama told us this is the new normal. That’s the Lib agenda, to slowly impoverish us and acclimate us to the same low standard of living as other Communist countries. To speed the process up, import millions of illegals to drain our resources, increase crime, take jobs and depress wages, drain savings and increase our credit card debt.

Meanwhile Lib elites grow wealthier and live in gated communities and guards in their workplaces. They aren’t affected by what they’re doing to everyone else, but they know their drones will stupidly continue to vote for them. Amazing…

Roxiebelle · 2024-02-17T18:08:35.731Z

Nemesis:

Lol of course you think its Obama because thats what right wing media and especially social media has told you.

No one told me how to feel about B.O., he stinks to high heaven and this Administration is nothing more than a 3rd term of the biggest mistake this country has made, and he is using the senile Biden to fast track the destruction of the country.

Nemesis · 2024-02-17T18:11:06.262Z

Roxiebelle:

Nemesis:

Lol of course you think its Obama because thats what right wing media and especially social media has told you.

No one told me how to feel about B.O., he stinks to high heaven and this Administration is nothing more than a 3rd term of the biggest mistake this country has made, and he is using the senile Biden to fast track the destruction of the country.

Ah so its feelings. Hmm all our con friends on this forum routinely make fun of “fee fees”

DisturbedGuy · 2024-02-17T18:16:44.217Z

Guilds:

Smyrna:

ask any lib…TRUMP!!

I do not blame Trump…

I do blame Reaganomics.

Trickle down economics has worked so well for the middle class.

DougBH · 2024-02-17T18:35:09.878Z

DisturbedGuy:

Guilds:

Smyrna:

ask any lib…TRUMP!!

I do not blame Trump…

I do blame Reaganomics.

Trickle down economics has worked so well for the middle class.

Clearly the answer is “Learn to code”.

https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/education/476391-biden-tells-coal-miners-to-learn-to-code/

Nemesis · 2024-02-17T19:49:34.200Z

Over the next 5-10 years more and more people will have to consider complete careers shifts if they want to remain employed.

Guilds · 2024-02-17T19:59:32.473Z

Agreed.

Software Engineer may not be the best field to choose, with the rise of AI.

Publius · 2024-02-17T21:06:21.965Z

DougBH:

To be fair to Biden, he has been good for my oil company stocks and pharmaceutical stocks.

Yeah, I don’t have much income but a pension and wife’s SS (OK, I made about $75 in tips playing guitar this month), but S&P500 is near record level - my 401K is up over $52K since January 1.

Smyrna · 2024-02-17T22:37:32.582Z

Publius:

I made about $75 in tips playing guitar this month)

One of the coolest things you’ve ever posted IMO. Cheers.

FlameHeart · 2024-02-18T00:08:39.270Z

I would suggest buying groceries at Walmart. That was what I was doing for a while, then switched to Kroger. I try to keep costs between $50-$75/week for groceries. Kroger has the Kroger card, which I’m thinking of getting. They also have coupons to other places.
Speaking of which, sign up for rewards cards/accounts at your favorite stores. That will help build up points which you can then use on a rainy day if you need something.
As my dad would say, there’s no shame in thrift shopping.
Discount stores like Marshall’s, Value Village, and Dollar Tree.
Always look for sales and coupons.
Please don’t risk your safety to lower costs. Living in a safe neighborhood, imo, is worth the higher COL.

FlameHeart · 2024-02-18T00:12:17.926Z

We should make our own thread to help out fellow forumites.

FlameHeart · 2024-02-18T00:15:37.531Z

I hear companies are laying off people left and right because jobs are being replaced by AI. Particularly at restaurants.

Mountain_Soldier · 2024-02-18T00:18:01.062Z

FlameHeart:

I would suggest buying groceries at Walmart. That was what I was doing for a while, then switched to Kroger. I try to keep costs between $50-$75/week for groceries. Kroger has the Kroger card, which I’m thinking of getting. They also have coupons to other places.

Speaking of which, sign up for rewards cards/accounts at your favorite stores. That will help build up points which you can then use on a rainy day if you need something.

As my dad would say, there’s no shame in thrift shopping.

Discount stores like Marshall’s, Value Village, and Dollar Tree.

Always look for sales and coupons.

Please don’t risk your safety to lower costs. Living in a safe neighborhood, imo, is worth the higher COL.

I bought my house in 2017. I love it. Thanks to the COVID real estate boom I gained about $150,000 in equity. That Pennymac reminds me about every week telling me I can take out another loan. But I love my house and my mortgage payment. I’m not going anywhere.

FlameHeart · 2024-02-18T00:24:52.533Z

That’a awesome. I wish I could get out of this dump and into an apartment back home.

My land lady moved the business here because the land was cheap, but we’re on the bad edge of town. But she charges more than most apartments in a safe area- $2,500/month at base, then there are utilities, security deposit, emergency fund. The most expensive luxury highrise apartment I’ve seen so far in Atlanta is $2,800.

By the time everything is said and done it’s 3k/month. All to be mistaken as a prostitute and taken to a guy’s motel room (I was in olde town garden where prostitutes apparently prowl, thankfully when he was gone I got out of there), pressured to get into people’s vans, and harassed repeatedly for weed and a key to a washroom that I will never know the location of.

Mountain_Soldier · 2024-02-18T00:46:40.413Z

FlameHeart:

That’a awesome. I wish I could get out of this dump and into an apartment back home.

My land lady moved the business here because the land was cheap, but we’re on the bad edge of town. But she charges more than most apartments in a safe area- $2,500/month at base, then there are utilities, security deposit, emergency fund. The most expensive luxury highrise apartment I’ve seen so far in Atlanta is $2,800.

By the time everything is said and done it’s 3k/month. All to be mistaken as a prostitute and taken to a guy’s motel room (I was in olde town garden where prostitutes apparently prowl, thankfully when he was gone I got out of there), pressured to get into people’s vans, and harassed repeatedly for weed and a key to a washroom that I will never know the location of.

Ugh, that sounds terrible. I like being able to live within my means, and have money for luxuries… like travel, golf, golf trips… just takes some planning, discipline, and dedication.

Samm · 2024-02-18T00:53:53.100Z

“To Save Money, Maybe You Should Skip Breakfast”

I’ve been skipping breakfast since I graduated from High School. What should I do?