My inflation post from a couple weeks ago has created a bit of a stir. Can we talk some more about that?
First, an apology.
My intent when I wrote this truly was to be an encouragement. I wrote it to share what has worked for our family as we try to keep costs down. And I wanted us to focus on what’s true instead of the scary information we might read that causes us to panic. I desire for us to focus our energy on what is true and on what works as we navigate inflation together.
I attempted to write in some caveats and considerations, because I know we all come from different places and are experiencing inflation in different ways. But what I failed to consider is that so many people would read my words through a lens of pain and feel that I was digging a knife into their wounds.
I’m so sorry I did that. Please forgive any hurt I caused.
I want you to know that I heard you and I am listening. You aren’t alone and you aren’t doing this wrong. In fact, you’re doing very well and friends, we are all in this together.
Where I, Laura, am coming from.
My heart wants to help. Like yours, our family has been affected by inflation. But as I’ve been doing for years and years here at Heavenly Homemakers – when I see a struggle and I’ve found something that works for me, I offer suggestions. Since 2007…
- Want to keep like simpler in the kitchen? Here’s how.
- Want to eat a healthier diet? This works for us.
- Want to be in the Word more? I love digging in like this.
- Hoping to save money on groceries? Yes! Maybe try this.
So this new struggle I was addressing was inflation. As inflation has affected families in so many ways, I was attempting to shed light on truth through what I’ve learned in my context. Might they help others struggling? I hope so.
Here are a few experiences I’ve had in the past year and a half.
- As grocery prices were beginning to spike, we were still living in York. One day, I was shopping for a few items at a locally owned grocery store in town and it seemed that overnight, all the prices had skyrocketed. As in, the prices were scary for very basic items. I felt suddenly panicked, for sure. Then about a week later I was able to shop at Sam’s. Their prices were wayyyyyy less scary compared to the small town store I’d been in. I felt relief, big time. Since then, I’ve seen all kinds of price increases in every store. But – and I am a BIG SHOPPER – I’ve found through my hard work of price comparisons that there are stores that are much more reasonable and stores that I have to avoid because their prices truly are so much higher.
- We moved to Lincoln, NE in June, 2023. I now have access to Costco, Sam’s, and Aldi and really and truly – I can keep our grocery budget reasonable because of their offers. Yes, their prices have increased, but not at a scary level in my experience. I am so thankful for this, and as I said here, I know that not everyone has this luxury. Meanwhile, I occasionally run into other stores in town to grab a gallon of milk or to take advantage of a loss leader sale item. THEIR PRICES ARE REALLLLLY HIGH. Milk at Aldi is $2.62, but just down the road the store brand at Super Saver is $5.00. This is why I suggested trying to shop around if you can. It was just based on my experiences of seeing how prices from one store to the next might offer something very different – right here in the same town.
- Regarding our move to Lincoln, our property tax and home owners insurance quadrupled compared to what we were paying in York. I don’t want to talk about it. :/ We moved in the middle of price increases so I don’t know how much of our new expense is due to inflation, based on the fact that we moved to a bigger city with a higher costs of living, or because we now live in a larger home that God provided for us. Probably all of the above. But we know God put us right here for His purposes and He will continue to provide.
Inflation. What is true?
As I stated here, inflation is real. All of us are affected and none of us like it.
Some of us feel its affects more than others depending on where we live, what we do, and all other variables.
Also true: God is good. He is provider. He cares for you. He loves you.
What can we do?
This post offered some suggestions that truly do work for our family. Will they work for you? I hope so, but maybe not. Nothing works in every context, no matter what we’re topic we’re discussing.
I do know that we all need to lean into inflated costs as many of them seem to be here to stay. I heard my grandparents talking about rising costs in their day, and here we are, talking about it in ours.
Because of this, it seems that most of us have to make some sort of changes to our lifestyles. Unfortunately, some don’t have any wiggle room because they have done wiggled all the wiggle that can possibly wiggle. Someone mentioned here that they have to choose between buying food or paying for medication. This is not ok, and I’m so very sorry.
This leads me to what I think needs to be shouted very loudly:
Those of us who can help, must.
There are some people around us who are suffering and if we are making life work through this inflation journey, we need to step up and let God use us in whatever way He calls us to to help those around us.
This will look different for each of us. But God is faithful to show us how to love our neighbor.
As an example, since we moved to Lincoln, our family has loved being volunteers every week with Food Net. The program is amazing as the entire city of Lincoln works together to prevent food waste. Instead of throwing perfectly good (but not sellable) food into the trash, it gets donated and given to thousands of people in our community. As a family who hates to waste food, this organization speaks our language and provides a perfect way for us to serve with our kids and love on our community.
There’s more to be said.
But for now, I’ll wrap up this post with an extra hug and a prayer that you all hear my heart. Life looks different now. We are all going to be ok.
If you can help, help. If you need help, ask. As I’ve learned through the past few years: typically we all get to do both at the same time in some way – serve and be served.
You are loved. You care seen. You mean more to me than you know.
I understood your original intent. For my family, I feel like it’s complicated. Internet, trash, water, and oh definitely yes property taxes have all gone up. But we’re still very frugal and I hate to complain because there are people having a much harder time. So we’re doing ok, but do see what has gone up. We’ve never been a family that eats out. I went over 6 years without any eating out (recently broke that streak) but that’s not suffering. We bundle car trips/errands so we can save gas, we buy foods on good sales and freeze or can what we don’t use right away. I think you’re doing a great job.
Love your heart Laura. Definitely a time for the church to step and support families, widows and anyone suffering financial burdens. I know having come from a place of comfort to a place of discomfort, it can be hard to imagine the pain of choosing another bag of apples for your kids or a package of meat. But that reality is hitting. So may the Lord gentle us all and help us to see others needs more clearly. I also appreciate you showing how you use benefits to help with your large crew. We live in a broken world and sometimes people have to use whatever God provides, no matter how humbling.
Many, many, many of us read your heart through your post. You always come from a place of love and high hopes of sharing what you’ve learned. Don’t ever stop being you. You can’t please everyone.
Laura, you are always so encouraging and inspiring to me. I love what a big heart you have! I have seven bio kids, and I feel totally overwhelmed at least a quarter of the time. I cannot imagine the amount of grace and patience you must dole out daily! You are often in my prayers, because I know the enemy will seek to discourage you from your good work. Thank you for always sharing what God is teaching you in such a humble and relatable way. May He pour His love and grace on you today!!
I understood the heart of your original inflation post. It reminded me that I could still do more to help my family and others out during this time. Thank you for your honesty and kindness. There’s so much fear mongering out there that when I read the original post I was relieved to see someone with a level head about it.
I was a commenter on the original post — I was not offended in any way (I know no offense was meant). I just wanted to lend perspective from a different part of the country. We have been enormously blessed with good jobs and the wisdom to take control of our finances from the very beginning of our marriage (thanks to Jesus, Dave Ramsey, and Ramit Sethi!). Honestly, it’s been a learning experience, but when I start feeling the need to hold on to our money… I open my hands and let it go. Our local Christian Layman group needs help with their food pantry? Done. Samaritan’s Purse sends out an urgent need to help a famine situation in Sudan? Done. You are exactly right – we are all called to serve. Not in the same ways, not with the same gifts, but like we’ve told our kids since they were old enough to understand: everyone is big enough to do SOMETHING, even if it’s to lend an ear to someone who is hurting. Thank you for your heart, and your continued encouragement.
Dear Laura;
I have delighted in all your posts over the years. Often sharing your tips, recipes, and tricks with loved ones. We applaud your accomplishments and feel sad when things do not go as you hope. Keep on being the peace maker that God has made you to be. Treat the “nasty” comments like a grain of salt and give them a fling, hee,hee! Or be like a duck and let it slide off your back.
We are self-employed and a latest bill has 4 different taxes on it. If we don’t purchase this product we can’t have this business (we can’t pass them onto customers due to the type of business we run). Business expenses keep going up and up.
I have a incredible shopping partner that has a nose for deals, so between us we can hunt down a lot of discounted products. eg. box lettuce/spinach, fruit, meat/cheese/ect (for freezing). We only have the choice of 4 stores, 45 minutes away. We don’t holiday, birthdays are a special meal/dessert. We have many thrift stores in different towns the we check out if we’re passing through for business. I cook from scratch and use the discounted frozen for our “going to the restaurant” break. I cannot grow and can any more as I used to because of chronic issues and have med/supplies to pay for now. It’s hard to pay for these extra costs but we will find a way and we will except whatever will need to be done. I could add so many other things that we have done.
I refuse to get on line and expect my favorite bloggers to be my “door mat”. What a shame that others are doing that!!!
Birdie
I hear your heart. When I feel anxious, When I wonder how? I can trust God hears my prayers. He has answered many quiet “asks” he is sovereign and always provides.
I just want to tell you that I literally come to this blog as a ‘treat’ during my lunch break every day, just hoping a new post is up, but also knowing you are too busy to post every day! Your life is so inspiring and heartening to so many people. The way you share God’s love is amazing. I truly think that how people reacted to the post is just one more indication of the broken world we live in, and how it’s beating people down. Your writing always lifts me up. I want to be like you when I “grow up”! :-)
I agree with Laura B. I am thankful that the Lord led me to your blog a few years ago when your family had just begun fostering Brayden. Your heart for serving the Lord by serving your family and others well is truly an encouragement and inspiration. I’m rooting for you!
I think the majority of us understood your helpful attitude and kind-hearted tips, Laura. I’ve been reading your blog off and on for many many years (we used to be stationed at the base outside of Omaha early in our marriage, moved away for almost a decade, and are now back in NE to retire from the military, so… yeah, it’s been a long while!), and have always enjoyed your posts and advice. Like the big sister I never had. Thanks for being here and sharing your family and heart with us, Laura. <3
Laura, thank you so much for being real. I love your posts and seeing how you and Matt are raising your family for the glory of God. You’re an inspiration and you’re like a sister giving me advice. I so appreciate you!
Well said. Thank you for all you do and your heart to follow Him.
I just read both your posts today, so I am a little behind. But, what I am constantly struck by is that in 2008, in the housing market crash and recession, there were many frugal bloggers and couponing was cool. It is true that the days of couponing are mostly gone. But, I think the point you are making is exactly what I am feeling– we, as consumers, need to get back to the 2008 mindset of “how low can I go,” “what can I do without,” or
“how can I make do?” The team mentality of sharing frugal finds or great deals seems to be dwindling. I would love for the internet to get back to more of that.
Also, your point is well taken: we have to stop treating meme’s like the news, which they are not. They are emotional and so they get shared and generate reactions and ultimately help fund IG influencer’s kitchen remodel. I am being a little cynical, but I think that the image based social media giant is to blame. Tuna and noodles and even homemade pizza don’t photograph well!
I could say more, but I guess my ultimate point is that I hope that you keep providing ideas and encouragement. I think this trend and thought process is important to think about!
Could you clarify why your farm and Azure purchases aren’t included in the $1,200 you say you spend each month (or are they)? Or are you getting those items for free? I guess some transparency would make this all more believable.
Happy to clarify! Here’s our new monthly budget and explanation of some of the foods we get for free: https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/monthly-grocery-budget-for-13-people I have mentioned here and there that we do usually get our Azure orders for free but I’m glad you asked about it here because I realized that I missed including that info in the above mentioned post. I’ll edit it to add that. Full transparency here though since you asked: I don’t order from Azure every month any more like I used to in York, which is why it slipped my mind and why you won’t see it very frequently in my monthly Big Family Spending posts. I order once every few months after I’ve accumulated some referral credit to enjoy. Typically I earn about $30/month by mentioning Azure and sharing how it works and those who are interested can order if they like.
Also since we moved to Lincoln, we no longer get farm fresh milk, so sad! We used to get our eggs across the street from our neighbors who had chickens, but again, that was also in York. (I was able to make a connection with someone so that we can get farm fresh eggs TOMORROW, so that’s exciting!) We stopped buying meat directly from the farm several years ago, and instead just get it at the regular stores where we shop, and all of that is included in my monthly spending/budget.
Hopefully all that explains why those aren’t included in my monthly Purchasing and Spending Posts. No more farm shopping for us right now and very infrequent Azure orders. :)