We REALLY have been spending more but getting less

[Anonymous]

Our income has dropped significantly (market based) and our expenses have increased. We’ve had to dig into savings. Our biggest expenses are fixed (mortgage) or just high across the board (gas, health insurance). We are dropping kid activities, which I hate to do but that’s our situation. I’ve cut back on groceries and our fridge is generally emptier than before - I rely on nutritious healthy homecooked meals rather than a fridge full of various options.

Many around us seem to be doing quite well. My children’s peers travel abroad over holidays, get cars when 16, and throw big parties. We are in an affluent, although not overly affluent area. Clearly, there are some doing very well in this economy and others who have been hit hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing I never cut back on is food. The prices have doubled some tripled on certain things.

I have prepped for nearly 3 years. Ever since I first started watching the commodities market. So far it's all coming true. Now with the Texas fires meat prices will go through the roof but the good news is we really don't need to eat meat, we can all get by on other food. Humans only need to eat twice a day. Maybe some light snacking at night. Just think we'll all lose weight without taking a poison stomach shot that will eventually kill you or you'll gain back the weight plus.

Utilities are unreal. Something else I won't cut back on. I realize we're ahead of most but we do help family so as long as we have money and can share we will do that. If we don't help each other when we can what's the point living and being greedy ? Sharing is caring. Caring is love. We knew years ago when we paid off our house that extra money would be banked and used for family. I refuse to watch anyone suffer if I can help.

There is nothing in this world more important than family. Family is everything.

Things are hard for a lot of people right now. This forum lies. I think more are struggling but their pride won't allow them to admit it.

This is one of the more over-the-top DCUM postings. I think you meant to post on DCUP (DC Urban Preppers).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our income has dropped significantly (market based) and our expenses have increased. We’ve had to dig into savings. Our biggest expenses are fixed (mortgage) or just high across the board (gas, health insurance). We are dropping kid activities, which I hate to do but that’s our situation. I’ve cut back on groceries and our fridge is generally emptier than before - I rely on nutritious healthy homecooked meals rather than a fridge full of various options.

Many around us seem to be doing quite well. My children’s peers travel abroad over holidays, get cars when 16, and throw big parties. We are in an affluent, although not overly affluent area. Clearly, there are some doing very well in this economy and others who have been hit hard.

What does "market based" mean? Which market?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing I never cut back on is food. The prices have doubled some tripled on certain things.

I have prepped for nearly 3 years. Ever since I first started watching the commodities market. So far it's all coming true. Now with the Texas fires meat prices will go through the roof but the good news is we really don't need to eat meat, we can all get by on other food. Humans only need to eat twice a day. Maybe some light snacking at night. Just think we'll all lose weight without taking a poison stomach shot that will eventually kill you or you'll gain back the weight plus.

Utilities are unreal. Something else I won't cut back on. I realize we're ahead of most but we do help family so as long as we have money and can share we will do that. If we don't help each other when we can what's the point living and being greedy ? Sharing is caring. Caring is love. We knew years ago when we paid off our house that extra money would be banked and used for family. I refuse to watch anyone suffer if I can help.

I love it when people just can’t keep their crazy in their pants, even on an unrelated thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We only make $90,000 HHI, and somehow we are doing fine.

But we made adjustments because we know the price will only come down when people stop spending like crazy.

So we have adjusted our meals to cut costs.

You people are Hella spoiled.

This. I'm the pp who adjusts what food I buy based on prices.

The key is also not to take all these trips and buy expensive stuff during the up years,and instead save for the down years so you can eat nutritious food and afford to have your gutters cleaned.

A lot of people are fine and spending like crazy because many of them have family money. Even 20 years ago I knew people in their 20s who were gifted houses, gifted expensive cars, or at least gifted a down payment from family. Since I received none of this, on the plus side I had to learn to have a sturdy emergency fund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our income increased recently from 240k to 330k but our spending has not increased since 2020 because we budget our income before the money hits our checking account. Budgeting works.

Even in low inflation years it'd be extremely remarkable not to see any increase in spending across four years. Given the substantial inflation in food alone of the last four years you are either not honest or you are scaling back (lowering your quality if life) in order to stick to strict savings benchmarks.

I budget in writing so I know what I am spending. I use Excel spreadsheets, one for each month and year. That’s how I know. Obviously I’ve shifted what I buy. That goes without saying. That’s what budgeting is all about.

[Anonymous]

And, good point about the prices only coming down when people stop paying the inflated prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what a lot of commenter are missing are the costs for the SN therapies (not covered by insurance often). That is why we have almost the same income and feel like it's not going very far. My son looked at my ratty Old Navy sweatpants sweatshirt combo the other day and said mom I know you have a good job, but I don't really think you're getting much out of it.

Especially if you're also saving for college and retirement there's just not a ton of money sloshing around for us. And the "extra" we have goes tonward visiting family.

Does your health insurance plan cover a portion of the therapy your child is receiving? If not, reclassify that therapy as a want, not a need. You might have to work with your child a bit more yourself, but it’s worth it.

[Anonymous]

You are not alone, OP. I am much more careful about food and it's still painful. In last two years all I've bought for myself is one blouse and replacement sneakers (blouse is exact same I bought in 2019 and it was 25% higher). Kids need new clothes so I save $$ for them.

[Anonymous]

Just did my taxes and I made $38k last year. The most I have made in DC is $40k. Imagine what low income people feel. I cannot get my food budget under control. It's about $750 for two people. Glad there is Trader Joe's, Lidl, and Aldi.

[Anonymous]

We don't have family money, but our investment has done well. Since the pandemic, we're saving more on transportation (more work from home), clothing, dry cleaning, less bought lunches, etc.

I suspect that's where many of our peers are.

[Anonymous]

Op here! I feel bad this turn poltical and got off track! Thanks for everyone who could relate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our income increased recently from 240k to 330k but our spending has not increased since 2020 because we budget our income before the money hits our checking account. Budgeting works.

Even in low inflation years it'd be extremely remarkable not to see any increase in spending across four years. Given the substantial inflation in food alone of the last four years you are either not honest or you are scaling back (lowering your quality if life) in order to stick to strict savings benchmarks.

I don't really get the substantial increase in food, at least not now. It used to be high in 2021, but so many everyday food items are cheaper than in 2021 and equivalent to 2019 (I think). Just went to Trader Joe's and paid $1.88 for a dozen eggs...$2.39 for a gallon of milk. Pay attention to what is on sale that week at Safeway/Giant in terms of meat and other stuff. Also, love Amazon Fresh as they routinely give 20% off for Amazon Prime members and actually have great sales on different items.

I guess I have always shopped this way.

Your anecdotal experience is irrelevant. The data is crystal clear and is all over the internet if you'd bother to research it, both for official year to year inflation, and food inflation. Since 2019 we have had substantial inflation across the board, food, housing, cost of services, healthcare, insurance, car costs, materials, services in general. If you aren't feeling it, you are either clueless or in denial.

No one is saying there wasn’t substantial inflation. What we are say is that there wasn’t 100% food inflation, or even 50% food inflation. So posters who say they track expenses and their costs have double are probably being a bit disingenuous. In reality, food inflation was about 25% from 2019 to 2023. Under a normal inflationary environment, that number would be 8%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really? 225k HHI. We have switched to shopping at Aldi, which has made a huge difference. Other than that it’s fine.

You are extremely prosperous. Enjoy it.

What's your plan for next year's inflation? Switch to grasshopper protein?

[Anonymous]

Blows my mind when people say they don’t notice inflation. I feel this has to be willfull ignorance/lies to support political agenda, they are very wealthy, or they just have never kept track of money so now no different. Also perhaps with stock market up some feel they can absorb spending instead of saving whereas I look at stock market and think we’ll reach our savings goals earlier - regardless, daily costs are way up and we are feeling it, OP.