The Price of Everything is Going Up—Now What?

How inflation, interest rates, and economic curveballs mess with your books (and what to do about it)

If it feels like everything costs more lately… that’s because it does.

Eggs, rent, software subscriptions, paper clips—you name it. And for small business owners, those price hikes aren’t just annoying. They chip away at profit margins, stress out cash flow, and make planning feel like you’re throwing darts with your eyes closed.

Inflation, rising interest rates, new tariffs, and good old-fashioned economic uncertainty have a way of turning “normal business operations” into “guesswork and crossed fingers.” But here’s the good news: you can adjust. You should adjust. And it doesn’t mean hitting the panic button.

Let’s talk about how small businesses can weather financial weirdness with strategy, not stress.

Inflation 101: The Slow Burn That Sneaks Up on You

Inflation doesn’t usually smack you all at once. It’s more like, “Wait, why is this costing me 15% more than last year?” That slow creep can be dangerous, especially if you’re still pricing your products or services based on last year’s numbers.

Here’s what to watch:

• Vendor costs creeping up

• Utilities and rent increasing

• Software and tools inching up in price

• Employees feeling the pinch and wanting raises

Your first move? Revisit your pricing. We’re not saying gouge your customers, but if your costs have gone up and your prices haven’t budged in two years, you’re probably eating the difference.

And remember: customers aren’t living under a rock. They get it. Inflation is dinner table talk now.

Interest Rates: The Hidden Budget Buster

If you’ve got a business loan, line of credit, or even plans to finance equipment, rising interest rates can eat into your budget faster than you think. Payments go up. Access to capital gets tighter. And it becomes more important than ever to track your liabilities and plan your payments with precision.

A smart bookkeeper will help you model scenarios: What happens if this rate jumps another point? Can we pay off debt faster? Do we need to restructure terms? This is where financial clarity becomes a superpower.

Tariffs and Trade: Why Global Politics Hit Local Hard

You might not think international tariffs impact your Main Street business—but think again.

Even if you’re not importing directly, your suppliers might be. That new cost? It gets passed to you. And suddenly your ingredients, raw materials, or packaging materials just got 10–20% more expensive. Thanks, global trade war.

That’s why good bookkeeping isn’t just about looking backward—it’s about spotting trends forward. When costs rise in one area, you need to know exactly how it’s affecting your margins. Fast.

What Smart Financial Strategy Looks Like in Weird Times

You can’t control inflation, interest rates, or tariffs. But you can control how you respond.

• Stay proactive with your pricing.

• Monitor expenses weekly, not quarterly.

• Adjust budgets with real-time data, not gut feelings.

• Re-evaluate vendors and renegotiate contracts.

• And most of all: keep clean, consistent books.

If that last part makes you cringe, don’t worry—that’s where we come in.

At Mountain Top Bookkeeping, we help small businesses stay sharp in unpredictable times. Whether you’re a startup feeling the squeeze, or a family business trying to hold the line, we bring clarity to your financials—so you can lead with confidence, not guesswork.

Let’s talk about how your business can adapt and thrive—no matter what the economy throws your way. Reach out today and let’s get your books working for you.