The impacts of inflationary pressure on consumers in the United States create an environment of required controlled spending following an extended period of economic growth. The new paradigm, including drastically increased cost for staple items, is changing consumer spending habits. Organizations utilizing prepaid cards and services, both open loop and closed loop, can use the changing habits as an opportunity to increase business while providing consumers with unique value propositions. In doing so the emphasis on prepaid mechanisms can enable consumers to establish or maintain a personal budget.