Inflation has become a critical short-term worry for practically all enterprises throughout the world for the first time in at least a decade.
Nobody knows how long the current inflation wave would endure, but a poll of economists conducted in the summer of 2021 suggested that it may last for years. More recently, the Federal Reserve of the United States hinted that the current inflationary surge might not be as severe as previously thought “temporary,” as some had speculated.
The traditional reaction to inflation is to choose one of three unappealing options. Managers might irritate their customers by raising prices, irritate their investors by decreasing margins, or irritate almost everyone by cutting corners to save money. When faced with this trilemma, most managers raise their rates and then look for creative ways to deal with the ensuing drama.
What they fail to see is that those three possibilities are tactical relics from a bygone period. When I was a kid in the 1970s, “Managers lacked the technology, data, and, in many cases, the idea to do anything bolder or more strategic when “stagflation” grabbed major economies. When inflation arrived during the Great Recession of 2008-09, managers were caught in the same trilemma as before.
Inflation will be different in 2022. Managers now have market visibility and adaptability that their forefathers could only have dreamed of even a generation ago. Managers now have access to much better data as well as more sophisticated tools for analyzing and transforming it into meaningful information for decision-making. It’s the perfect time for them to view inflation as a strategic opportunity rather than a tactical obstacle, and to choose from a wider range of possibilities. Rather than worrying about how much more they should charge their clients, they should focus their efforts on determining how and why they should charge them.
What should you do if inflation occurs?
As a result, we sought advice from experts on how consumers should approach investing and saving during this period of rising inflation.
Invest wisely in your company’s retirement plan as well as a brokerage account.
How do you deal with rising prices?
For many Canadians, high inflation can be a source of financial hardship. One strategy to combat inflation is to increase your income to match prices, but this is tougher said than done for a variety of reasons.
If producing extra money isn’t an option right now, here are some other options for dealing with rising expenditures.
Reassess your spending habits
Take a look at your cash flow and where it’s going if inflation is making it tough to stick to your budget. Determine whether there are any items you can live without temporarily in order to cover needs such as housing, groceries, transportation, and utilities. For many, this reevaluation will mean putting non-essential spending like dining out, subscription services, and gym memberships on hold.
Take on new debt sparingly (and avoid variable rates)
Although the Bank of Canada kept debt interest rates low to combat inflation throughout the epidemic, rates are projected to rise at some point in 2022. Variable-rate debts could become more expensive if this happens.
You may refinance your variable-rate mortgage into a fixed-rate loan or combine high-interest credit card debt into a personal loan with regular payments to protect yourself from this abrupt surge.
Also, be mindful of taking on a lot of new debt in general: additional debt adds a new monthly payment to your budget and restricts your financial freedom, even if rates are low or fixed.
Become a sale shopper
When it comes to necessities, now is the time to get serious about being a discount shopper. This doesn’t imply you should become a rabid couponer; rather, you should pay greater attention to sales and let them drive where and when you shop.
Another wise method to economize is to take advantage of price matching rules. It could mean getting a great deal on something you need or obtaining a refund if something you just bought goes on sale later.
Maximize loyalty and reward programs
When it comes to grocery stores, many Canadians take advantage of membership programs given by their preferred retailer, such as PC Optimum (the loyalty program operated by Loblaw Companies and Shoppers Drug Mart). Before you go shopping, take a few minutes to check out your program’s app or website to see what bargains are available. Use them to get ideas for your shopping list and get bonus points for future purchases.
Don’t forget to include in any credit card points or incentives you’ve earned. You might be able to use them to get cash back, travel discounts, and other benefits. Furthermore, certain credit card issuers conduct special promotions from time to time where you can redeem points for items or gift cards, which could come in handy and save you money.
Be strategic with savings
High inflation has more bad consequences than just rising prices: it can also mean earning less interest on your investments. Consider a Guaranteed Investment Certificate if you’re concerned about investment volatility or don’t like the fluctuating rates of high-interest savings accounts. Your money will be unavailable for a length of time (from a few months to many years) if you invest in a GIC, but the interest rate will be fixed. During instances of strong inflation, your HISA or investment profits may decline, but a GIC will yield interest at a steady rate.
What steps should you take to prepare for hyperinflation?
Sure, it took some getting used to at first, but with some careful planning and efficient scheduling, we’ve settled in nicely. Of course, we’re both retired, so it works for us, but it might not for dual-income families or families with multiple activities for their children.
Stock Up On Food and Water
I propose storing non-perishable food for any eventuality, not just hyperinflation, as a prepper. Stock up on non-perishable groceries, bottled water, and meat to help save money in the future. If you’re not sure what to buy, have a look at my suggestions below:
Stock Up on Household Items
During hyperinflation, not only will food prices rise, but so will the prices of ordinary household commodities like dish soap, laundry detergent, and hygiene products. Make a list of the Essential Items Every Family Requires and begin stocking up before prices rise.
Become More Self Sufficient
Food and water may become more difficult to obtain, especially if hyperinflation occurs. When you have mouths to feed, that’s a difficult pill to swallow. Consider employing a section of your property as a food source if possible.
To be self-sufficient, you don’t need a lot of land or to live in the country. To assist offer more food and financial security, you can do modest things like establish a garden, rear meat rabbits, or keep a few natural treatments on hand.
Stock Medicine and First Aid Supplies
You don’t want to overlook Tylenol, cough syrup, allergy medicine, or vitamins. Here are 35 OTC Medications You Should Keep in Your Medicine Cabinet. In addition to over-the-counter drugs, you should have a good first-aid kit on hand.
Bandages and Neosporin are insufficient! For various injuries, you’ll need a range of supplies. Check out my First Aid Kit Checklist if you’re not sure what you’ll need.
Consider a Side Job
You never know when you might lose your job, and losing your employment amid hyperinflation would be disastrous. Even if your employment is somewhat safe, you should consider adding another source of income to ensure that you have enough money flowing in as costs rise.
Having a secondary source of income is always a smart idea, and it could save you from the worst-case scenario. Consider freelance work, babysitting, pet sitting, or joining TaskRabbit as a handyman.
What industries benefit from inflation?
Inflationary times tend to favor five sectors, according to Hartford Funds strategist Sean Markowicz: utilities, real estate investment trusts, energy, consumer staples, and healthcare.
What is the safest investment?
Cash, Treasury bonds, money market funds, and gold are all examples of safe assets. Risk-free assets, such as sovereign debt instruments issued by governments of industrialized countries, are the safest assets.
Is the United States on the verge of hyperinflation?
- Hyperinflation is uncontrollable inflation in which the cost of goods and services climbs at a rate of 1,000 percent or more per year.
- An oversupply of paper currency without a corresponding increase in the production of goods and services can lead to hyperinflation.
- Some say the United States is on the verge of hyperinflation as a result of previous and potential future government stimulus.
What should I buy before the financial crisis?
Having a strong quantity of food storage is one of the best strategies to protect your household from economic volatility. In Venezuela, prices doubled every 19 days on average. It doesn’t take long for a loaf of bread to become unattainable at that pace of inflation. According to a BBC News report,
“Venezuelans are starving. Eight out of ten people polled in the country’s annual living conditions survey (Encovi 2017) stated they were eating less because they didn’t have enough food at home. Six out of ten people claimed they went to bed hungry because they couldn’t afford to eat.”
Shelf Stable Everyday Foods
When you are unable to purchase at the grocery store as you regularly do, having a supply of short-term shelf stable goods that you use every day will help reduce the impact. This is referred to as short-term food storage because, while these items are shelf-stable, they will not last as long as long-term staples. To successfully protect against hunger, you must have both.
Canned foods, boxed mixtures, prepared entrees, cold cereal, ketchup, and other similar things are suitable for short-term food preservation. Depending on the food, packaging, and storage circumstances, these foods will last anywhere from 1 to 7 years. Here’s where you can learn more about putting together a short-term supply of everyday meals.
Food takes up a lot of room, and finding a place to store it all while yet allowing for proper organization and rotation can be difficult. Check out some of our friends’ suggestions here.
Investing in food storage is a fantastic idea. Consider the case of hyperinflation in Venezuela, where goods prices have doubled every 19 days on average. That means that a case of six #10 cans of rolled oats purchased today for $24 would cost $12,582,912 in a year…amazing, huh? Above all, you’d have that case of rolled oats on hand to feed your family when food is scarce or costs are exorbitant.
Basic Non-Food Staples
Stock up on toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, soaps, contact solution, and other items that you use on a daily basis. What kinds of non-food goods do you buy on a regular basis? This article on personal sanitation may provide you with some ideas for products to include on your shopping list.
Medication and First Aid Supplies
Do you have a chronic medical condition that requires you to take prescription medication? You might want to discuss your options with your doctor to see if you can come up with a plan to keep a little extra cash on hand. Most insurance policies will renew after 25 days. Use the 5-day buffer to your advantage and refill as soon as you’re eligible to build up a backup supply. Your doctor may also be ready to provide you with samples to aid in the development of your supply.
What over-the-counter drugs do you take on a regular basis? Make a back-up supply of over-the-counter pain pills, allergy drugs, cold and flu cures, or whatever other medications you think your family might need. It’s also a good idea to keep a supply of vitamin supplements on hand.
Prepare to treat minor injuries without the assistance of medical personnel. Maintain a well-stocked first-aid kit with all of the necessary equipment.
Make a point of prioritizing your health. Venezuelans are suffering significantly as a result of a lack of medical treatment. Exercise on a regular basis and eat a healthy diet. Get enough rest, fresh air, and sunlight. Keep up with your medical and dental appointments, as well as the other activities that promote health and resilience.
Is inflation beneficial to stocks?
With growing inflation, stock market investing is more vital than ever. Prices are growing, putting a greater strain on consumer budgets than in the previous 40 years. It also implies that for many investors, continuing to invest in the stock market for the long term may be more vital than ever.
Inflation favours whom?
- Inflation is defined as an increase in the price of goods and services that results in a decrease in the buying power of money.
- Depending on the conditions, inflation might benefit both borrowers and lenders.
- Prices can be directly affected by the money supply; prices may rise as the money supply rises, assuming no change in economic activity.
- Borrowers gain from inflation because they may repay lenders with money that is worth less than it was when they borrowed it.
- When prices rise as a result of inflation, demand for borrowing rises, resulting in higher interest rates, which benefit lenders.