Quick Start: 90‑Minute Money Tune‑Up

1. Pull your last 60–90 days of transactions. Group by category (housing, food, transport, utilities, subscriptions, debt, savings).
2. Circle the “movers.” Categories over 5% of take‑home pay or up >15% versus earlier months.
3. Choose 3 actions that can cut at least $50/month each (below). Put calendar reminders and automate where possible.

Big‑Win Frugality: Fewer Decisions, Larger Savings

1) Housing and Utilities

• Negotiate your rent at renewal with comps and a clean‑tenant pitch; offer a longer lease or auto‑pay to trade for a discount.
• Downsize or “house hack.” Rent a room, add a roommate, or consider a smaller place within your commute tolerance.
• Energy trims that stick: seal door/window drafts, install LED bulbs, use smart power strips, set thermostats 1–2°F closer to outside temps, wash laundry cold, air‑dry when practical.
• Shop utilities/insurance annually. Get 3 quotes for internet, mobile, and property/auto/renter’s policies; ask current providers to match.

2) Transportation

• Drive smoother, save fuel. Keep tires at spec, remove roof racks, avoid hard acceleration, combine errands, use gas price apps.
• Re‑shop auto insurance. Consider higher deductibles if you can cover them; ask about telematics/low‑mileage discounts.
• Preventive maintenance beats emergency repairs—follow the maintenance schedule, use a trusted independent shop.

3) Food Without FOMO

• Meal plan “capsule menus.” Rotate 8–10 low‑effort meals with overlapping ingredients; build a pantry around shelf‑stable basics.
• Shop the unit price, not the sale tag. Bulk only wins if you will use or freeze it; track waste.
• Cook once, eat twice. Batch cook proteins and grains; freeze portions. Pack a “grab‑and‑go” kit to cut last‑minute takeout.
• Split dining treat tiers. Keep low‑cost “fun food” at home; reserve restaurants for true occasions.

4) Subscriptions and “Silent Drains”

• Quarterly audit: cancel, rotate, or downgrade. Share family plans where allowed. Avoid overlap (cloud storage, streaming, fitness).
• Cap delivery fees. Group orders, switch to pickup, or set a monthly limit.

5) Debt and Cash Flow

• Target high‑interest balances first. Use the avalanche method; automate above‑minimum payments on the top APR account.
• Refinance or consolidate carefully. Only if total interest paid falls and fees don’t erase the benefit.
• Build a 1–3 month starter buffer in high‑yield savings to avoid new debt when surprises hit.

Smart Shopping Systems (Set Once, Save Often)

• Price‑match and track. Use price‑tracking alerts for big purchases; ask retailers to match current, verifiable prices.
• Buy used or refurbished for furniture, tools, and tech—verify return policies and warranties.
• Loyalty and rewards—on purpose. Use one grocery loyalty, one warehouse club if it pays for itself, and one cash‑back card used like a debit (paid in full monthly).
• Repair before replace. Learn basic fixes; many items have cheap consumables (gaskets, filters, batteries) that extend life.
• Plan purchases around lifecycles. Off‑season apparel, prior‑year tech models, and end‑of‑line appliances often cost less.

Inflation Defense Isn’t Only About Cutting—Grow Income

• Ask for a raise the right way. Document results, quantify impact, gather market data, and propose a number plus alternatives (bonus, education budget, WFH days).
• Monetize underused assets. Tools, parking spots, spare rooms, or specialty skills can produce part‑time cash flow.
• Stack credentials that pay back. Short courses or certificates with clear wage premiums can outpace inflation.

Banking and Investing Moves for a High‑Cost Era

• Optimize cash buckets. Separate accounts for bills, spending, and emergency savings; automate transfers on payday.
• Chase yield judiciously. Compare APYs and account terms; avoid locking up all cash you might need soon.
• Keep investing simple and steady. Maintain diversified, low‑cost index funds aligned with your risk tolerance; automate contributions so inflation doesn’t stall long‑term goals.
• Consider inflation‑linked bonds as part of a diversified portfolio if suitable for your horizon and risk profile.

Note: This article is educational and not individualized financial advice. Consider consulting a fiduciary advisor for personal recommendations.

Healthcare and Protection

• Use preventive care and annual visits. Catch problems early and avoid costlier interventions.
• HSAs/FSAs where eligible. Pre‑tax savings for qualified expenses stretches each dollar.
• Right‑size insurance. Ensure you’re covered for catastrophic risks; increase deductibles only if your emergency fund can handle them.

Frugal, Not Fragile: What Not to Cut

• Safety and reliability. Tires, brakes, smoke/CO detectors, child safety items.
• High‑use tools and shoes. Paying a bit more for durability can cost less per use.
• Career capital. Training, certifications, and networking that grow earnings power.
• Basic joy. Keep one or two low‑cost pleasures to avoid burnout.

Your 30/60/90‑Day Inflation‑Proof Plan

Days 1–30

• Audit spending; pick three savings actions; set auto‑transfers to emergency fund.
• Re‑shop internet and mobile; cancel two subscriptions; set grocery capsule menu.

Days 31–60

• Negotiate rent or explore alternatives; implement energy fixes; schedule preventive car service.
• Start price alerts for any planned big purchases.

Days 61–90

• Request a compensation review or apply for higher‑pay roles; consider a side project test run.
• Review insurance coverage and deductibles; top up emergency fund toward 1–3 months.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Chasing every sale. A “deal” on something unused is not a saving.
• One‑time heroics. Savings fade without systems. Automate and calendar recurring checkups.
• All‑or‑nothing diets. Keep small treats so you can stick with the plan.
• Ignoring the income side. A single raise can dwarf dozens of tiny cuts.

Helpful Tools and Habits

• Bank alerts for low balance/large transactions; weekly money review on the same day/time.
• Spreadsheet or budgeting app you’ll actually use; shared calendar for bill due dates.
• Free library resources: e‑books, passes, workshops, maker spaces.