Housing, groceries, gas, utilities and more: Basic needs are expensive these days. It might seem like no matter how much you earn, costs keep creeping up, making it harder to afford everyday life, even if you’re earning more than $60,000 per year.
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median weekly earnings of full-time workers was $1,194 in the first quarter of 2025. Considering there are 52 weeks in a year, that means the average full-time worker’s annual salary is about $62,088. However, despite what seems like a livable wage, most U.S. adults have many financial worries, and inflation is the biggest one of them all.
Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study reported that for 65% of U.S. adults, inflation is the number one concern regarding factors that could impact their finances in 2025. This beats out taxes and housing costs, at 37% and 32%, respectively.
If you don’t feel like your average or lower earnings are enough money, current inflation might be partly to blame.
Here are a few ways to make ends meet and beat inflation in 2025, no matter your current wage or the state of the economy.
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Taking on a side gig can help boost your income, helping you fight back against inflation. Whether it’s becoming a rideshare driver, dog walking or babysitting, finding one — or more — ways to bring in extra cash can give you financial breathing room.
Budgeting can be an effective way to keep more of your cash and avoid getting yourself into debt.
There are several smart budgeting methods to try, including the 50/30/20 rule, pay yourself first and the zero-based budget. No matter which option is right for you, getting serious about watching how you spend your money is a great start.
Car ownership is not cheap: Monthly car payments, gas, insurance, tolls, parking and maintenance costs can add up quickly. Instead, SoFi suggests limiting driving when possible by carpooling, taking public transportation, taking a bike or even walking where you can.
These alternative transportation methods can help decrease or eliminate some of your monthly costs and leave you with extra money for other necessities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current U.S. inflation rate is 2.4% for the 12-month period ending April 2025.
