Better Financial Health in 15 Minutes (or less!)

Save Money and Beat Inflation

• Stacey Hyde

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Rising prices at the grocery store got you down? You're not alone. The good news is that the arrival of spring and summer offers perfect timing to adopt some practical strategies that can help you combat inflation while actually improving your diet.

Local food sources are your secret weapon in the battle against high prices. Farmer's markets are springing up everywhere, offering fresh produce that hasn't traveled thousands of miles to reach your table. Roadside farm stands provide another alternative, typically offering better prices than supermarkets for just-picked fruits and vegetables. The nutritional benefits are substantial too – study after study confirms that less processed food leads to better health outcomes. Who doesn't want to save money while getting into better shape for summer?

Growing your own food might sound intimidating, but starting small with herbs or a few vegetable plants can be surprisingly affordable and satisfying. Seeds cost mere pennies compared to store-bought produce, and there's nothing quite like harvesting something you've grown yourself. I've noticed more friends raising backyard chickens lately too – fresh eggs with deeper yellow yolks and better flavor, often at lower cost than store prices. Did you know unwashed eggs don't even need refrigeration? Just one of many food facts that can change how you shop and save.

Modern couponing has evolved. Forget clipping paper – digital discounts through apps like Kroger's or Amazon Prime (for Whole Foods) offer substantial savings with minimal effort. The key is buying only what you actually need when it's on sale, rather than purchasing unnecessary items. And don't underestimate the financial impact of bringing lunch from home instead of eating out. These small changes add up to significant savings over time.

Financial markets, like gardens, have their seasons of growth and dormancy. As we weather current economic uncertainties, remember that patience is essential. Some days are sunny, others cloudy – the key is maintaining perspective and staying the course. Want more practical financial wellness tips delivered in 15 minutes or less? Subscribe to Better Financial Health for weekly insights that help you thrive no matter what the economy throws your way.

Envision Financial Planning. 5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2428, Memphis, TN 38137. (901) 422-7526. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the United States. Advisory Services offered through Envision Financial Planning, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Speaker 1:

Hi, this is Stacey Hyde and I'm back with another episode of Better Financial Health in 15 Minutes or Less, and what I'd like to talk about today is inflation, economic uncertainty and kind of how you can personally get ahead of that. We are entering springtime, summer will soon be upon us and I think it's a good time to kind of pay attention to that. One of the things that that brings about where I call it grocery store games is it's going to lead to more local farmer's market. You can plant your own garden, grow some vegetables. If you grow them from seed, it's not terribly expensive and it's kind of fun to watch stuff sprout and grow. You also can likely find farm stands on the side of the road that probably cost more than last year, but oftentimes you're going to find it fresher and less expensive than buying it in the grocery store, and if you think about buying things that are in season or being grown right, then they're not going to travel a long way, so you're going to get them closer to the time that they were picked, and study after study shows that the less processed food we can eat, the better off we're going to be.

Speaker 1:

Yes, I know the pizza is good. I love a burger as much as the next person. The pizza's good, I love a burger as much as the next person. But I think we can all save money, get ourselves into swimsuit shape sooner and a little bit better by eating a little bit more what we can get locally, sourced locally. And one thing I've noticed is a lot more of my friends have chickens these days. So you know being able to get a dozen eggs from a fresh laid egg from a local hen, it's kind of cool. It's still weird, but as long as they're not washed, they don't have to be refrigerated. I know it's sort of hard to break that habit, but it is a good thing to know. But it is a good thing to know and we can enjoy, I think, better tasting food and healthier, less processed. You know where it's come from and feel better about ourselves and then get outside and help get us there.

Speaker 1:

So, looking at what you're eating, clipping coupons that's going to be back in style, although it's not the coupons that I grew up with, it's more electronic. If you're a member of Amazon Prime, you can get really good discounts at Whole Foods. As you've been around here for a minute, you know I'm a big Aldi fan. Kroger has a great app with their coupons. Paying attention and clipping those coupons and buying the things that you use.

Speaker 1:

Don't buy stuff you don't use. That's not saving you money, that's spending money. But if it's something that you buy regularly and it's on sale, maybe buy enough for a week or two and maybe skip something else that week that's not on sale in the hopes that it'll be less expensive later. So those are some little hacks that can help you. Also, can't stress it enough, bringing your lunch eating out less is a real way to add money back into your budget. So pay attention.

Speaker 1:

Start a garden. If you've got kids, it'll be super fun. They love to help with stuff like that, and I have kids, but they're grown. But we all still like to look at my garden. Hopefully my tomatoes and my basil will grow, as I hope it will. And, as we're talking about growth, hopefully our portfolios will begin to grow again. But markets are going to do what markets are going to do. Some days are good, some days are cloudy, some days are sunny, some days are just terrible and we need to not look at them. So stay patient and better days are coming. Thanks for tuning in. This has been another episode of Better Financial Health in 15 Minutes or Less.