These 22 Things Cost the Same, No Matter How Bad Inflation Gets
Prices keep climbing, and it feels like nothing’s safe from inflation. But while many costs go up fast like gas, groceries, and rent, some things remain steady or offer value that inflation can’t easily erode.
In this article, we’ll walk through 22 examples that resist the effects of inflation.
They won’t solve every money problem. But knowing where value holds can make a tough economy a little easier to navigate.
Table of Contents
Fixed-Rate Mortgages
Lock in a mortgage with a fixed rate, and the bank can’t raise your payment no matter how wild the economy gets. The price of food? Up. Gas? Up. But that mortgage payment? Set in stone.
This is one of the few financial tools that actually works in your favor when inflation is running rampant. Over time, it gets even better, while everything else gets more expensive, your locked-in monthly payment stays the same.
After a few years, it might feel like a steal. That’s why homeowners with fixed rates don’t panic when prices jump. The deal was made, the contract signed, and inflation can’t touch it.
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Lifetime Subscriptions
Companies love to charge monthly fees for everything. Streaming, software, gym memberships, you name it. But snag a lifetime subscription, and you beat the system. Pay once, and you never worry about another price hike again.
These deals are rare, but when they pop up, they’re worth considering. Some digital tools, publications, and even fitness apps offer them, and they can save a small fortune in the long run. Lock it in, forget about it, and watch inflation try (and fail) to keep up.
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Public Library Services
The library is one of the best financial hacks that too many people ignore. Need books? Free. Audiobooks? Free. Movie rentals, digital courses, business workshops? Also free. It doesn’t matter what inflation does, libraries keep delivering, no extra charge.
They’ve been around for centuries, and while budgets may fluctuate, the core mission stays the same: provide resources without charging an arm and a leg. Want to fight inflation? Get a library card.
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Air and Sunshine
Some of life’s best things don’t come with a price tag. Fresh air? Free. Sunlight? Unlimited. The outdoors doesn’t care about inflation, and stepping outside costs nothing.
Walking, running, sitting on a park bench, it’s all available without swiping a card or watching the numbers in your bank account drop. While companies try to monetize everything, nature stays open for business, no membership required.
Digital Assets You Already Own
If you’ve paid for an e-book, a movie, or a piece of software, inflation can’t suddenly make it more expensive. Once it’s yours, it stays yours. Unlike physical goods that can be hit with supply chain issues and rising costs, digital assets sit untouched, waiting to be used.
The smartest move? Build a collection of valuable digital resources, things that keep their worth no matter how much prices climb.
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Municipal Tap Water (in Most Cases)
Bottled water prices shoot up like everything else, but tap water? Usually steady. Unless you live in an area with privatized utilities or major drought issues, municipal water systems keep prices stable.
Compare that to a $3 bottle of water at the gas station, and suddenly, a reusable water bottle starts looking like a smart investment. Not everything inflates at the same rate, and tap water is one of those reliable constants.
Long-Term Savings Bonds
Bonds are one of the oldest financial safety nets around. Lock your money into a long-term savings bond, and inflation can do what it wants, your rate stays locked in.
Better yet, inflation-linked bonds actually adjust upward when prices rise, meaning they can help protect your purchasing power over time. Most people ignore bonds in favor of flashier investments, but when inflation hits, they prove their worth.
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Certain Types of Insurance
Some insurance policies don’t budge no matter what the economy does. Term life insurance, for example, locks in a fixed premium for the entire duration of the policy. Once the agreement is signed, the rate stays put.
Health and auto insurance may fluctuate, but policies with guaranteed rates provide stability. While inflation eats into everyday budgets, these policies stay predictable. That’s why people who secure long-term fixed-rate insurance early usually come out ahead.
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Access to Public Parks
Public parks remain one of the best deals around. No entrance fees, no subscriptions, no unexpected costs. A place to walk, exercise, picnic, or just breathe fresh air, free of charge.
While private entertainment options get more expensive, parks keep delivering value without digging into your wallet. Inflation can’t put a price tag on a trail through the woods or a quiet bench under a tree.
Fixed-Rate Loans
A fixed-rate loan is one of the few financial tools that can actually work in your favor when inflation kicks in. The rate is locked, the payments don’t change, and over time, the money owed starts to feel smaller compared to rising wages and prices.
Personal loans, student loans, and business loans with fixed rates follow the same logic. As long as payments are manageable, inflation turns them into a better deal every year.
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Non-Profit Services
Non-profits don’t operate like businesses chasing profit margins. They exist to provide support, which means many services remain accessible even when everything else gets more expensive.
Food banks, shelters, free clinics, educational programs, these resources continue to serve communities without sudden price hikes. During tough economic times, these organizations become even more essential, offering help without sending a bill.
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Community Events
Parades, concerts, festivals, many local events remain free or low-cost because they’re supported through sponsorships, donations, or public funding.
While inflation drives up entertainment costs in other areas, community events provide a way to enjoy experiences without spending a fortune. A summer music festival at the park or a holiday parade downtown still delivers fun at a price inflation can’t touch.
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Time
Inflation can shrink a paycheck, raise the cost of living, and make budgets tighter. But time? That’s one thing money doesn’t control. It moves at the same pace no matter what the economy does. How it’s spent is what matters.
Investing in skills, relationships, and experiences holds value no financial crisis can erase. Unlike dollars, time never loses its worth.
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Barter and Community Exchanges
Money may lose value, but trading skills, goods, and services never goes out of style. Bartering has existed for centuries, and inflation doesn’t change its effectiveness. Someone with handyman skills can trade repairs for fresh produce.
A baker can swap bread for homegrown vegetables. These exchanges cut out rising costs and keep communities connected. When prices get out of hand, people get creative, and barter makes a comeback.
Love, Relationships, and Community Support
No amount of inflation can change the value of real human connection. Family, friendships, and strong community ties remain priceless. Support systems grow stronger in tough times, offering help, encouragement, and resources without a price tag attached.
When money gets tight, relationships become even more important. A meal shared, a favor done, or a helping hand given, those things never cost a dime.
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Self-Sustainability Through Home Gardening
The cost of groceries climbs, but seeds stay cheap. A small backyard or even a few pots on a balcony can produce fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits for a fraction of store prices. Gardening turns inflation into a non-issue when it comes to fresh food.
Beyond savings, it provides a sense of control over food supply and quality. Inflation doesn’t affect what grows in the soil outside your home.
Public Museums and Cultural Sites
Many museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions offer free admission or discounted entry on certain days. These places continue to provide education, entertainment, and inspiration without adjusting ticket prices to match inflation.
While private attractions raise fees, public institutions make sure art, history, and science remain accessible. A day at the museum doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Open-Source Software
Big-name software companies love subscription models, but open-source alternatives exist that cost nothing. Office suites, graphic design programs, coding tools, there’s a free version of almost everything.
These tools receive community-driven updates and remain available without hidden fees or price hikes. Inflation has no effect on something that never charged a price in the first place.
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DIY Repairs and Upcycling
Fixing what you have instead of buying something new is always a win, but when prices soar, it becomes even more valuable. A little knowledge, some basic tools, and a willingness to learn turn old furniture, clothing, and appliances into useful items again.
Upcycling takes it a step further, transforming discarded objects into something new. These skills turn inflation into an afterthought.
Skill-Based Side Hustles
You don’t need a degree or a fancy certification to profit off skills you already have. Know how to fix bikes? Tutor math? Walk dogs? Inflation can’t touch something you already know how to do and no one can raise the price on your own time.
The best part? You set the rate. And as prices climb, people still need help. These side gigs aren’t just inflation-resistant, they often grow with demand. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn your time and talent into money that keeps pace with rising costs.
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Wild Foraging and Fishing (Where Legal)
Nature’s food supply doesn’t run on an economic system. Foraging for wild berries, mushrooms, or edible greens provides fresh ingredients for free. Fishing in designated areas offers another way to source food without spending extra.
While laws and regulations must be followed, the concept remains the same, some of the best things in life don’t require a credit card.
Hand-Me-Downs and Secondhand Swaps
New clothes, furniture, and gear are getting more expensive by the year. But guess what hasn’t changed much? The price of something gently used or better yet, free. Hand-me-downs and swap groups still offer huge value, especially for kids’ clothes, household goods, or baby gear.
Inflation can jack up retail prices all it wants. If it’s already made, it’s immune. That’s why thrift stores and Facebook groups are full of gold if you know how to look. Use what’s already out there, and you’ll dodge inflation without even trying.
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Some Things Inflation Can’t Touch
Inflation messes with a lot, but not everything bends to rising prices. These constants prove that stability still exists, even when the cost of living feels out of control. Knowing what stays the same helps cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters.
Financial ups and downs come and go, but smart choices and resourcefulness keep you ahead. Some things will always hold value, no matter what the economy throws your way.
The key is recognizing them and making the most of what’s already within reach.
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