"The Austerity Influencers of TikTok: Navigating the Rising Cost of Living with 3 Simple Budget Deflation Strategies"

A TikTok user claims that despite earning nearly $100,000/year, she was better off financially in 2012 making minimum wage due to the high cost of living in 2023. She mentions paying $1,650 in rent compared to $350 in 2012 and struggling to have any money left over after expenses. Commenters echo her sentiment, expressing similar financial stress. The article suggests three ways to save on major living expenses that have been impacted by inflation: finding savings on groceries through couponing and bulk buying, exploring options to trim housing expenses such as reviewing home insurance policies and renting out extra space, and finding ways to reduce gas and energy bills by identifying off-peak hours and using energy-saving devices.