Rising cost of living - static income?

[MittensKittens]

I live in Europe, but I am sure many of you back in the US are facing the same problems. All my utilities have gone up since the new year, but my wage is remaining the same. I am facing about a $200 increase in expenses just due to inflation. I'm generally frugal, but now I need to figure out how to cut back even more. In addition, I will have large medical expenses this month and am just really overwhelmed. I do not want to deplete my savings, but it looks like this will happen.

Anyone else? How do you deal?

[bodhitree]

Yeah, my DH has only gotten one raise in the almost four years he's been working at his current job, because the administration is not giving raises so that they don't have to cut jobs. So we are trying to make the same income work with a rising cost of living, when it already isn't a huge income to begin with. I thought I was already being as frugal as possible, but I'm currently working on finding even more room to cut back. I'm pricing auto insurance to see how much money we can save by switching--so far it looks like at least $120 every six months. I'm also going to check on getting a lower price on our phone/internet. I started price-booking so that I have solid data on what is cheapest at which store. And I'm even going to call the trash company to reduce our level of service, since we've been recycling and composting and we don't have as much trash. And I'm going to keep driving my crappy car as long as possible, hopefully another couple of years.

Sigh. This is not easy, but I'm making it work!

[PenelopeJune]

I totally hear you. After paying all necessary bills, we have less than $400 a month to pay for food, gas, and any and all other expenses. It doesn't sound too bad, except when gas is $3 a gallon and rising! (We live rurally, so there is no bus/cab/bike riding around here.)

Thankfully we have starting burning wood as our only source of heat for the house, and since my husband does all the cutting, we pay nothing to heat our house. It's been a lifesaver. Without that, I have no idea how we'd survive the winter. Of course, we are doing without a lot of things, which kind of sucks. I really, really need to go to the doctor, but I simply can't.

[zebra15]

Its the same around here. Im a sub so my income varies based on if I even get work. Needless to say Im low income at best.  I am desperately looking for a FT job in any industy and i'm either significantly over qualified or they just wont talk to me.  Im sorry but I can not do insurance/brokerage sales (otherwise Id take anything).  The only solution I see is to look for more income, a 2nd or 3rd job.  Its not easy for the 2nd job when you cant find a1st job but its time to be creative.  Start your own business, a side job.. something.  I need to come up with something this year SOON, or we will literally be looking for a nice cozy corner under a bridge.  (we are living w. a roommate and there is a very good chance she could loose her home)