8 inflation-fighting tips to earn $433 a month

We all know that inflation depletes our bank accounts, but have you wondered how bad it got? How much more are you spending right now just to stay alive?

Suddenly we have an answer: $433 per month.

Yes, calculators from financial firm Moody’s Analytics estimate that the average American household now spends $433 more per month on the same food, gasoline, and miscellaneous goods and services we all bought a year ago.

Four hundred thirty-three dollars! No wonder we’re all broke. Basically, if you’re living the same life you were living at the end of 2021, it’s costing you a lot more just to break even.

It’s not sustainable, so everyone has to make changes. We got to thinking, what could you do to make up for that extra money you’re parting with each month?

Below we have a list of eight changes – some big, some small – to make up for that difference. Some of them might surprise you. By the end of this article, we’ll have racked up $433 worth of nifty moves to help balance your pounds.

1. Eat lunch at Costco twice a month

Costco prides itself on its hot dog and soda combo, which is still only $1.50. The price has remained the same since 1985.

For context, the combo — which gets you a giant dog and a 20-ounce fountain drink (plus free refills!) for $1.50 — should cost well north of $4 now, adjusted for inflation.

Why so cheap? Here’s an explanation from Costco CEO Craig Jelinek: “I came up to (Jim Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of Costco) one time and said, ‘Jim, we can’t sell this hot dog for one dollar fifty. We lose our backs. And he said, ‘If you raise that fucking hot dog, I’ll kill you. Understand it. ”

Projected savings: If you spend a total of $3 to replace two regular restaurant lunches per month, we’d say you’re saving $20.

2. Sell something on eBay

Need money? There’s a lot of stuff in your house that you can look at and say, “Can I sell this?” Probably not.”

But what if all the “probably not” items could actually have a home? What if even the weirdest things – like empty boxes or broken electronics – could earn you some cash?

We have compiled a list of 20 of the best things to sell on eBay – some of the most bizarre items we can imagine to show you that they will actually sell.

Forecast earnings: If you stick with it, we bet you can win at least $30 each month this way.

3. Sell your poo

Looking for an easy scramble? Every time you poop, you might be flushing money down the toilet. Your poo could save lives and you make money in the process.

It’s true. Some medical companies will pay healthy donors for their stool. Your valuable sample is then used for microbiome studies or in the treatment of patients with Clostridium difficile, a bacteria that causes colon infections.

The amount you earn with each donation depends on the company. GoodNature is offering $25 to $75 per visit, up to $1,500 per month. Poop With Purpose pays $50 per donation, up to $1,500 per month. HumanMicrobe pays $500 per stool donation.

Potential donors must be between the ages of 18 and 50, of normal weight, not a smoker, and have no history of gastrointestinal disease or drug or alcohol abuse.

Forecast earnings: To be honest, $1,500 per month might be a little optimistic. Let’s be conservative and go with it $100 In place.

4. Cancel a streaming service

We’d say “cut the cord,” but if you’re as broke as we are, you’ve probably already canceled the cable. (If you still have cable, cut it.)

The problem is, if you’re anything like us, you’re probably subscribed to more than one streaming service. Maybe you even lost track of the number. After all, there’s Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, HBO Max, and Apple TV+, among others.

Discover our comparison of all streaming services — costs, type of content, number of titles available and more.

Projected savings: If you drop a few subscriptions (you can get by with less), we bet you’ll save at least $20 per month.

5. Protect your pantry from inflation with a $65 two-week meal plan for two

Buckle up. Now we are getting serious – and more ambitious.

Obviously, the price of groceries is out of control. Now, if a weekly grocery bill of $33 for a couple ($16.50 per person) to afford three meals a day sounds a little crazy, you’re not mistaken. But we did it anyway.

While you might be content to eat ramen and peanut butter sandwiches for a while, scrounging around like a college student indefinitely doesn’t hold much appeal. Instead, we’ve put together a two-week, $65 grocery list of nearly 30 items that will provide two adults with fairly complete meals without skimping too much on the goodies.

This two week grocery spending plan can be stretched to accommodate a family of four simply by doubling the ingredients – and the cost. Or extend this plan to a month if you prefer to track your family’s budget and compile a shopping list on a monthly basis.

Groceries make up a big chunk of everyone’s budget, so you should also research free printable coupons Where try our favorite tips for saving money on groceries.

Projected savings: Everyone has to eat, but there’s more potential for savings at the supermarket than you might think. If you’re really committed to lowering your grocery bill, we bet you can save about at least $180 per month.

6. Turn down the thermostat

Here’s something that will make you shiver: heating your home will cost significantly more this winter.

In fact, Americans are about to see the biggest increase in their heating bills in more than a decade. But we have 8 tips to help you reduce your heating bill. For example, close off unused rooms, insulate your windows (it’s cheap), add some weatherstripping, and block drafts from the bottom of exterior doors.

If you consider the whole year, the cost of cooling, heating and lighting your home is huge. Although it requires a small initial investment, try installing thermal curtains or a programmable thermostat. Where to consult these creative energy-saving methods to reduce your utility bills.

Projected savings: We think you can save at least $30 per month about heating and cooling your home.

7. Look for cheaper car insurance every 6 months

Have you been paying your car insurance bill to the same old company for years and years? You have, don’t you? In this case, you are probably paying too much.

Every six months when it’s time to renew your policy, take some time to look for a better deal.

If you wish, there are a number of apps that will be happy to do this for you. Options include Everquote.

Or you can just do it yourself. Check The Penny Hoarder Guide to the Best Car Insurance Companies.

Projected savings: It is reasonable to think that you can save at least $25 per month This way.

8. Follow a few simple steps to save gas

Filling up the gas tank can be an utterly miserable experience when you watch the meter go over $40, then $50, and keep going.

But you can save money on gas depending on where you fill up, how you pay, when you get to the gas station, how you drive and even the condition of your car.

We have compiled 20 smart tips to help you spend less on fuel. Most notably, join a fuel rewards program, use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas, fill up early in the week when prices tend to drop – or just release the accelerator pedal and Slow down.

Projected savings: We’ll say you’ll save $28 per month on time. Why not?

Get in the habit of looking for savings

Let’s go ! Make these eight changes – some big, some small – and bingo, presto, you’ll have $433 a month in extra savings and revenue.

You don’t have to stop there either. If one of these strategies isn’t working for you, here are four more to try:

1. Choose a less expensive grocery store. You may not buy food from the cheapest option. Compare prices, which you can usually find online.
2. Get a haircut every eight to ten weeks instead of every six.
3. Before shelling out for things like furniture or baby gear, check out Groups without buying anything on platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor to see if any of your neighbors are looking to get rid of something similar.
4. Get a side gig to boost your income. Here is 30+ legit ways to make extra money online.

Way to fight this monster of inflation!

Mike Brassfield ([email protected]listen)) is a lead writer for The Penny Hoarder.