Arcadia Chamber of Commerce - The Connection to the Business Community

Inflation Busters to Stretch your Budget – Tips from Prestige Capital

Inflation is at 4.2% based on the May 2026 Consumer Price Index data. This is the highest rate in three years, and we’re all painfully aware of the increase in gas and food prices. Here are a few inflation-fighting tips to stretch your budget.

Cut Unnecessary Spending
Consider cutting monthly expenses that you don’t actually use or may be able to live without. Do you have subscription services or a gym membership that you don’t use? Cancel them to free up cash in your budget!

Optimize Grocery Spending
Take inventory of what you have to work with before you go shopping and check the local ads to plan meals around what is on sale. Make a shopping list and stick to it, to avoid making impulse buys.

Lower Utility Bills
Adjust your thermostat to use less energy, switch to using cold water for laundry whenever possible, unplug devices that are not in use, and switch to LED lightbulbs. If you’re a homeowner, replace filters in your HVAC system, seal cracks, and clean the refrigerator coils to reduce energy waste.

Hack the Pump
Take advantage of reward programs to lower your cost per gallon on gasoline and plan on running errands to get more done at one time, instead of making multiple trips. You can also adjust your driving habits. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking uses more gas, while maintaining the speed limit and gently accelerating can increase your fuel economy.

Did you know? Owning a home is one of the strongest ways to hedge inflation, by eliminating rent hikes and building long-term equity. If you’re interested in buying a home – or refinancing to pay off debt or make home improvements – my team and I are the experts you need to help you succeed. Give me a call if you, or your friends and family, need a trustworthy mortgage consultant that looks out for your best interest!

Best regards,

Tracy