Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.
We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here.
Dear Grace,
How do people get by in this tough economy? Are there any tips for saving money and making cost-effective meals on a fixed income?
— The Struggle Is Real In Rural America, Kentucky
Dear Struggle Is Real,
Ask The Readers is your regular chance to grab the mic and give advice to other readers in our community. Each piece of advice we share comes from a different thoughtful reader. Keep an eye out for more juicy questions and answers!
I sent your question to my subscribers—hundreds of thousands of women across the country—and this community delivered. Women on fixed incomes wrote in with recipes, helpful tips and tricks, and their own stories of struggle.
Grocery prices have been up since the pandemic and have stayed high this year because of tariffs, immigration raids at workplaces, and the impact of climate change on farmers across the country. Regular people like you have been feeling the pinch for a while now. We’re told it’s temporary and things will get better soon, but those of us on budgets know that there isn’t a short-term fix.
Check out some of my favorite suggestions from women who are stretching their dollar farther and making it work…