Times are tough.
Money is tight.
Inflation has hit the pockets hard.
When funds are scarce, sacrifices must get made.
Lucky people get to skimp on luxuries.
While some people have to ration medicine.
Redditor iaskureply wanted to hear about all the things people are choosing to drop thanks to world financial issues, so they asked:
"What have you given up because of inflation?"
I drink at home.
Did you know that the cost of a decent bottle can match the cost of a single drink?
Everything!
Episode 5 Drinking GIF by The BachelorGiphy"Not too much! Mostly just my future."
Green0livesAndHam
"Right, I was going to say hope."
Fabulous-Spread6120
Time to stay in...
"Buying a home."
Anonymous_Enigma_
"Not just this. But moving out entirely. I’m 24 and renting would take up well over half of my monthly income. Plus the cost of utilities, I’d be broke before I’d even got round to buying food."
keep_giving_up
"If you are good where you are, I wouldn't stress about moving out. This is a lot of people's reality these days. No use working yourself crazy to be broke and struggling for the sake of moving out 'just because.'"
DifferentBand1121
Money after...
"Pre-tipping. What if it's all f**ked up when I finally get my food?"
_joeBone_
"I've stopped that crap, give zero if it's fast food style - like order at the counter and pick up at counter or drive-thru. Even beers at outdoor events where it's overpriced. I'm paying for a $10 Coors light at a counter, therefore I'm assuming the bartenders are paid very well, no tip."
"How about the airport bars now you have to order through the app, no talking to the bartender. They just bring it to you, once you order and pay through the app. I'm not giving you a tip to pour an overpriced beer and turn around take 2 steps and set it on the counter. Sh**s getting ridiculous."
WinterCool
Bye Bye Baby
"Any hopes and dreams of a family? I don't think I'll ever be comfortable enough for children."
Mercenary0527
Skip It
Taylor Swift Vmas 2019 GIF by 2022 MTV Video Music AwardsGiphy"Concerts for the most part. The rising costs of touring for bands made ticket prices go insane. Now instead of catching a good lineup, my attitude has become, 'I've seen all these bands before, I can skip this," instead."
6-2Noob
Concert prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!!
Like, who is coming up with these prices?!
Spending Pennies
noodles ramen GIF by HUANG'S WORLDGiphy"Food in general. I am currently eating less than $3 a day. Sometimes all I eat is a pack of Mr. Noodles for 49 cents."
CTMom79
"Reach out to a food bank! No one should be eating only one meal a day. So much food is being thrown out. Search some places near you."
ozzythegrouch
PASS!!
"I’ve really just given up on dining out and getting delivery in general aside from the rare occasion. Tips and delivery and service fees and massively increasing menu prices… pass. Fast food is the most hilarious to me. I can’t believe people are still paying that much for that awful garbage."
"For $8, I can make a pot of cheap, healthy food and then freeze the leftovers and eat it five more times over the next few weeks. My wallet and my health thank me. And cooking is fun."
tinyhorsesinmytea
Luxuries
"Netflix, clothes shopping, and occasional food delivery services."
_Light_The_Way
"I’ve given u ok food delivery, completely. And even takeout. Every time I do I’m let down by the quality. A couple of weeks ago, for the first time in a while, I picked up a pizza. Spent $30 and it left me wishing I would have gotten one from the frozen section of the grocery."
geometricpelican
Less fancy grinds...
"Buying coffee. It was a waste of money 5 years ago or so but it wasn't that bad. These days it's $4-$5 dollars just for a basic one, which adds up pretty quickly. If you want anything fancy it's pushing $7-$8. Office coffee for me these days."
passionfruit_vodka
"For $500 you can get a solid espresso machine and grinder. Then most syrups you can make at home for a fraction of the price. Even vanilla extract is super cheap when homemade. Then you just need beans, which Amazon has their own brand that regularly goes on sale for very cheap."
"If that's too much for $10 you can get a nut milk bag and take coarse ground coffee, and soak 1 lb of coffee beans in 1 gallon of water for 18 hours at room temperature. Squeeze the bag out and remove it and you got a quality cold brew that can be used to make a lot of iced drinks similar to an espresso machine. The one trick I would recommend is not using cow's milk for flavored iced coffee. Most people seem to prefer oat milk."
Abigail716
Generic Deals
Season 3 Food GIF by TallBoyzGiphy"I buy a lot of house-brand stuff at the grocery now. I don't eat out much anymore either."
darrellbear
That is a lot to give up.
But we have to do what is necessary.
All pennies add up.
Do you have any savings hacks? Let us know in the comments below.