How Islanders are trying to beat back record inflation
CBC
Inflation numbers for March were released this week and once again P.E.I. is in the lead — and that's not a good thing.
Statistics Canada reported "price growth was most pronounced in Prince Edward Island" at 8.9 per cent — that means your money bought almost nine per cent less than it did last year. Nationally, inflation rose 6.7 per cent.
With less money in their pockets, how are Islanders adjusting their spending? We asked people to comment via Facebook.
Robert Hill of Charlottetown said he had been looking at purchasing a new home "but not anymore, don't want to be mortgage poor."
Richard MacCallum of Slemon Park says he is doing several things differently: "Buying in bulk to take advantage of sales. Not eating out, cycling more and driving less."
Paul Ness of Cornwall is also "driving less, drinking less, eating out or takeout less."
"Driving an EV. Thank goodness for that because buying gas can really cut into the grocery money," wrote Carole Macfarlane of Kensington. She said her family got a good deal on a used electric vehicle before demand recently soared.
"People don't realize that a large per cent of your car payment comes from not buying gas. Commuting adds that bill up quickly."
Margot Rejskind of Charlottetown says she has been buying less meat for her family's meals.
"I drive a hybrid and like to walk if I can anyway, so the main place to save is food," Rejskind said. "We love tofu in almost any variation ... We also love beans as a meatless protein. I do a white bean and cheese bake that I could honestly eat every day.
"Breaking up with meat is slow and painful, but we're getting there. (Still a Sunday roast, though, and leftovers during the week)."
Karen Mellish-May of Summerside says she saves money on groceries by making her own tofu from soybeans.
"Incredibly cheap and way better than the commercial stuff," she comments, while noting it is quite difficult unless you have an automatic soy milk maker.
"And like bread, you have to be in a good mood for it to turn out," she added.
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