Inflation is really kicking in, the cost of things are getting really high in the market and its not even december yet, its effects are evident on the price of food stuffs, transportation, electricity bills, gas bills and others. How are you handling it and how has it affected your savings/your percentage for investing (if you have one)?
Have you had to cut down on your expenses so as to maintain the percentage of your income you allocate to savings & investing?, Or you have adjusted the percentage for savings and investing so as to accommodate and maintain your standard of living?
For the past years, inflation is already a thing and it is normal to occur in a country's economy. There is a certain level of an inflation rate that isn't really much felt by the citizens. However, last year and this year, inflation hits differently. It's much more evident, felt, and seen by the consumers. Adding the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic makes it much worse. The cost of products and services offered is higher compared to before because there is a higher inflation rate recorded that isn't normal if statistics will be the basis. Here in our country, if before, the average amount you have to spend is 300 bucks to feed a family of 5, now it would not be enough. The prices of goods are just so damn high, particularly the meat and vegetables. Transportation issues and low supply of goods make the prices go higher and higher to the point the commoners can barely afford a decent meal. Transportation fees increased too because of social distancing protocols that made the public utility vehicles limit their seating capacity to half. Electricity and water consumption got higher too because the family members are spending most of the time at home, making the bill higher.
It's really a challenge to get by and survive most especially to the working classes who are just making the ends meet and are living paycheck to paycheck basis. Personally, there are some expenses that had been cut down since the pandemic started such as the school allowance which is a breather because it was allocated elsewhere to address our necessities. Personal savings isn't much affected, fortunately, but still can't deny the fact that there are still times I have a hard time on it too. There are bad days and good days after all. Hopefully, we'll experience more of the latter than the former.