Groceries are eating up more of everyone’s budget lately. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices rose 2.7% and restaurant meals jumped 3.9% in the past year¹. YIKES!
For anyone trying to manage cash flow and keep calm about inflation, this can feel discouraging. But here’s the truth: you can’t control inflation. You can control your cash flow decisions.
That’s the foundation of Master Your Cash Flow®, the methodology behind CakeClub—a personal finance app designed to help you see where your money goes, spend smarter, and make choices that lead to long-term stability.
1. Plan Before You Spend
Consumer behavior research from 2025 shows:
>> 64% of shoppers make a list
>> 74% check prices
>> 68% compare across stores when prices rise.²
Being proactive is one of the simplest ways to save, so why not:
>> Plan weekly meals that share ingredients to reduce waste.
>> Make a list before you shop and stick to it to avoid impulse buys.
>> Small insights lead to smarter decisions.
Use the transactions tab in the CakeClub app to review what you spent last time, before you head out.
2. Focus on Value, Not Sacrifice
You don’t need to give up what you love to spend wisely:
~ Try store brands, they often match name-brand quality.
~ Buy in bulk for frequently used items when it truly saves.
~ Compare prices (price per ounce or pound) instead of total price tags.
3. Use Technology to Optimize Cash Flow
Let tech do the tracking for you:
~ Use cash-back and rewards cards intentionally — CakeClub highlights where you can earn more based on your usual habits.
~ Automate savings transfers or credit card payments through your bank or budgeting tools.
~ View your spending trends by category in CakeClub to pinpoint where small changes can free up cash.
4. Build Habits That Outlast Inflation
When Al was in his 20s and 30s, inflation averaged over 6% a year, but that didn’t stop him from reaching financial independence by 48. The key was consistent, informed cash flow decisions—not perfection. Inflation is temporary, but the habits you build now are permanent. Master your cash flow and your grocery bill becomes a lesson in control, awareness, and calm progress toward the life you want.
Takeaway
Inflation may raise prices, but clarity lowers anxiety. CakeClub helps you:
✅ See where your money really goes
✅ Discover cash flow opportunities
✅ Make smarter spending decisions—without shame or spreadsheets.
Written by Amin Boroomand, PhD, CEO CakeClub and Al Zdenek, CPA/PFS
Sources Cited
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, September). Consumer Price Index Summary.
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm - Flipp Research. (2025, October 27). The State of Grocery Report USA 2025.
https://corp.flipp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Flipp-Research-Presents-The-State-of-Grocery-Report-USA-2025.pdf - Provoke Insights. (2025, March). Grocery Trends & Consumer Buying Behaviors.
https://provokeinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Provoke-Insights_SUMMER2025_Grocery_Final.pdf
