How to Beat the High Cost of Living is a charming film that came out at the apex of hysteria over inflation in 1980. Inflation is part of why Gerald Ford lost in 1976 and Jimmy Carter in 1980. Gas prices and food costs were soaring by comparison to a few years ago.
When you watch the film, you will see how cheap those costs were and how exaggerated those concerns were.
After all in 1980, prices were going up but the economy was strong and the job market was hopeful. Then again, the 3 women (Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, Jessica Lange) were fighting a losing battle over money because that economy was geared toward men, not women. They see their solution in stealing money from a money ball in the middle of a mall, back when malls were new and exciting.
In 2021, we would trade the current circumstance for 1980 in a heartbeat. Food insecurity heightened as a result of a poor economy even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Climbing food prices with supply chain issues making things even worse. Since we don't have too many malls left and a money ball would likely be filled with bitcoin receipts, how do we handle rising food prices in a crushed economy?
"I don't know why they call this stuff Hamburger Helper. It does just fine by itself," Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon's Vacation.
Meat: The focus is usually on meat costs especially with supply chain issues. The idea of taking chickens grown in the United States, shipping them off to China to be processed, and then come back to the United States is a terrible idea even before a pandemic. Local farmers have better grown meat and no supply chain issues. Their meat might be more expensive than you are used to paying but the cost difference is reduced these days. You reward local businesses, a very good idea, and you get better quality meat so you can eat less per meal.
Hamburger Helper was a big thing in the late 1970s into 1980. You could use mushrooms to extend hamburger for burgers and meatloaf. White button and crimini mushrooms bring flavor and nutrition and add needed moisture to the mix. If you had been doing this all along, you would have saved money before inflation creeped back into the economy.
Hamburger Helper (now known as Helper) was dried pasta and powdered seasonings. You could do way better than that. Use your own spice blend. Pasta is still cheap.
Rice and beans: The United States does not consider itself a "beans and rice" society. Rice and beans make a complete protein with added fiber and a mild punch to your wallet. You would have to soak dried beans though they cost less. Somehow, rice and beans have a stigma of a lack of success where meat equals success. Long ago, lobster was in the bologna category. Perspectives change.
Vegetables, bread, and fruit: Eating local food gets past supply chain issues, rewards local farmers, and supplies much needed nutrition. If you did gain weight during the pandemic, eating better could help you lose some of those pounds.
Food waste: If you bought food and that food is in the house, you can save lots of money by not buying more food. Take 2-3 days, a week and eat up what is in the house. Not going to the grocery store would be less stressful and you open up pantry space. You also save money in that you bought that food before inflation kicked into gear. Hoarders can get a reward for long-term thinking.
Water: Besides drinking more water, use water to extend meals. Pasta water means more sauce for the dish. Making soup? Water is free and can extend a soup.
Local gardens: A little too late to plant a garden in most sections of the United States but you might know someone who has pickled their way through the pandemic. A barter system allows you to trade something you are good at doing for a jar of pickles. Local food through a different prism.
Gravy: Gravy may seem like gravy, as in extra and fancy. The reality of gravy is when you take the drippings from cooked meat and mixing with low-cost flour and butter. Meat with gravy is more filling and tasty than meat by itself.
Old(er) people: Millennials experience their first trip into the world of inflation can ask their parents, grandparents, and maybe great-grandparents for culinary advice. You can trade computer advice or teach them about Tik Tok in exchange for how to deal with food and inflation. If you go back far enough in knowledge to the Great Depression, you will find a time closer to your current reality than what we had in 1980.
The irony of the return of inflation is that the Ronald Reagan policies gutted the economy and led to the downfall of 40 years of stagnant wages, unless you are super rich. Doesn't take much to be super rich these days. The American dream is long gone.
Trickster gives us a peek into the world of food banks
Hard to Stomach brings home the ongoing concern of food insecurity
Food banks now more important than ever in COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic
Holiday time: If you are one of the fortunate ones, please reach out to help those with real food insecurity. Inflation sucks and the idea of spending money for food that isn't for you likely sucks. These people will still have food insecurity in January and February so keep this in mind.
photo credits: How to Beat the High Cost of Living film; Hamburger Helper
video credit: National Lampoon's Vacation
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