Inflation – Can You Feel The Pressure On Your Pocketbook?

Inflation has been rising since November 2020, largely due to the reopening of the economy – which led to greater consumer demand, plus supply chain constraints. In June and again in July, the consumer price index or CPI rose by 5.3% on a year-over-year basis, marking the largest such increase since July 2008.

More consumer corporations are raising prices in 2021, including Coca-Cola, which increased product prices by 6%.

What Causes Inflation?

Inflation is a measure of the rate of rising prices of goods and services in an economy. If inflation is occurring, leading to higher prices for necessities such as food, it can harm society.

To put it simply, inflation is separated into three categories:

  • Demand-pull: When the demand for products or services exceeds the supply, prices rise.
  • Cost-push: When production costs rise, prices rise as well.
  • Built-in: When wages rise, prices rise as well.

Why Is Inflation Expected To Continue?

Due to the basic principles of why inflation occurs, inflation is expected to accelerate in 2021, approaching the Fed’s target of 2%.

The following are some of the reasons why inflation is inclined to continue:

  1. Businesses recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic

The pandemic has a significant impact on businesses and establishments. Many businesses have shut down or ceased operations, leading them to a great loss of revenues. With the economy slowly reopening and businesses being allowed to operate again, inflation is one way for businesses and institutions to quickly recover from their losses.

  1. Constraints in the Supply Chain

The current jump in inflation has been fueled by a decline in supply combined with increased consumer demand. Many businesses are having trouble acquiring the raw materials and manpower they need to make their products due to the pandemic’s restrictions and risks. Inventory levels are low due to fewer things being manufactured.

  1. Discounts are now uncommon

The higher pricing will continue to be passed on to the consumer by the majority of businesses. Consumers are balancing more expensive services such as online grocery delivery or pickup that don’t have any discounts. As a result, consumer businesses are not required to give discounts.

Who Benefits From Inflation?

If you own assets in inflation-affected markets, you can get a benefit. Some businesses benefit from inflation if they can charge a higher price for a product as a result of increased demand. 

If profit margins are increasing, it suggests that the prices corporations charge for their products are rising faster than production expenses.

Protect Your Wallet From Inflation

As a consumer who needs to buy things at rising prices regularly, it can give a lot of pressure on your pocketbook as a result of ongoing inflation throughout the year.

Here are a few basic suggestions to help you protect your wallet from rising inflation:

  1. Cook your meals

When compared to buying ready-made food from fast food and restaurants, cooking your meal will save you more money. Buying ingredients to cook with is less expensive than ordering food.

  1. Casual savings on clothing

Purchase necessary clothes only. You won’t need any new clothes to wear because the pandemic restrictions and risks are still in place, and the restrictions and guidelines are designed to urge people to stay at home.

  1. Fewer outings

It will not only protect you against the risk of the pandemic, but it will also help you save money by reducing the cost of eating out.

  1. Be Smart with extra savings

Putting your extra savings to good use or focusing on objectives allows you can pay off high-interest debt like credit cards, build an emergency savings fund, or increase your retirement contribution.

  1. Consider Investing in Stocks

Stock investing might be dangerous, but if you’re smart about it, you can save more money and possibly profit from inflation, depending on the stocks you invest in.

  1. Invest in yourself

Invest in personal finance courses to become more financially educated and understand how to enhance your financial health in the face of rising inflation.

Contact Us

To improve your financial situation, check out the courses offered by Wealtheo™, a reliable personal finance educator. You can choose from a variety of financial courses that will undoubtedly assist you in meeting any of your financial goals.

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