Combating Cost of Living Increases in Chicago
I got a cost-of-living raise this year, and was hoping to pocket some of it. But, my rent increased, and I have to really pursue sales and coupons to meet my grocery/drug budget, even though I’m buying the same things. Now, the Chicago Transit Authority is talking about raising fares, including the price of the monthly pass I use, which would go up $15/mo.
We also just started paying a little more for electricity here in Chicago. My own increase was EXACTLY the amount I’d saved earlier this year by unplugging select appliances when not in use. This irritates me to no end!
There’s not much more belt tightening I can do, but here are a few ways I've been saving a buck recently:
- Added microwave to the list of unplugged appliances (previously just printer, laptop, TV, DVD player, and phone charger).
- Wash and reuse the plastic baggies I use for snacks and sandwiches.
- I'm taking fewer late-night cabs from work, and splitting those I do with a couple of folks on my team who happen to live in my neighborhood.
- My umbrella has a broken spoke, but I'm living with it.
- No new shower liners. My shower has two rods, and I usually buy one new liner every six months, and rotate them, so each is used a full year. From here on out, I’m laundering them, and using ‘em till they drop off the rings.
So, is it just me, or has it become harder to save money in the past couple months? What are YOU doing to keep those dollars in your pocket?
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