COPING WITH RISING PRICES

Accept the Reality

When prices increase gradually, we may hardly notice, especially if wages are keeping pace. However, when prices shoot up and wages stay the same, we can become anxious and stressed, particularly if we have a family to care for.

We are unable to curb the rising cost of living. But by accepting that this is the reality, we can actually benefit ourselves.

WHY IT MATTERS

People who have a realistic view of rising prices may find it easier to . . .

remain calm. When we are calm, we think more clearly and make better decisions.
avoid unwise practices. For example, it would be unwise for us to ignore bills or to spend wastefully.
refrain from arguing with family members over money.
identify ways to cope, which may include adjusting priorities and spending habits.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Be willing to adapt. During periods of high inflation, it is wise to reduce spending, if possible. Some people try to enjoy a lifestyle that they cannot possibly maintain, which is like trying to swim against the current of a fast-flowing river! In the end, they just wear themselves out. If you have a family, you may also be concerned about providing for them—and rightly so! Yet, keep this in mind: Your family members need your love, time, and attention more than anything else.

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!”—Luke 12:25, New Living Translation.

“Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.”—Matthew 6:34.

Trying to maintain an unrealistically lavish lifestyle is like trying to swim against the current of a fast-flowing river