Inflation is hitting all our budgets. But while that hit hurts most of us, some people are seriously profiting right now. That’s right, our pain is their gain. These are some companies who make good money off our difficulties. Don’t let them pull one over on you.

Paying for stuff in “four easy installments” might sound like a great way to help with inflation, but buy now, pay later programs are not your friend. They aren’t even your frenemy. They’re just your enemy. They may come in different packages, but they won’t help you get through this hard time. They’ll just make things harder.

Credit cards don’t have your best interest at heart either. They just have interest on the brain. That’s why they charge an average of 18.43% interest on anyone who doesn’t pay off their balance every month.⁴

You might pay off your credit cards each month now. But the truth is, the credit card companies don’t want you to! They make billions a year on interest alone. Don’t let them win with inflation while you lose. Don’t let them build skyscrapers with your interest payments.

Use the other tips in this guide and get your money under your control—not theirs.

Store credit cards promise money off and cash back—but they also encourage you to spend money you don’t have on things you don’t need. Don’t be fooled: They wouldn’t offer special deals if they weren’t making bank on people who overspend and rack up interest on their balances.

This is no time to fall for that scam. In fact, it’s never time to fall for that scam. Just say no to store credit cards.

A personal loan could seem tempting right now. You might think it’ll help you get ahead or offer some relief from the rising costs all around you. But taking out a personal loan doesn’t help. In fact, it makes things worse! You’ll get further behind and further in debt.

It won’t push you forward. It’ll yank you back.

Okay, now you know some of the companies who are reaping the benefits of poor budgeting and spending habits.

But they’ve got nothing on you. Because you’ve got this guide and you know the right ways to stand against inflation. You won’t pour money into scheming companies’ pockets—because you’re busy making changes to get more money into your pocket.

Inflation is tough. But you’re tougher. You can and will get through this. Pick up your budget and fight!