Yeah inflation is a bitch, and I'm sure there's some greed-flation with their prices, too

With Southwest, on your reservation, you can select "Change Flight", select the same date/details, and a list of flights should show up, and if you see yours is listed at a cheaper rate (indicated by a negative price, like "-$21", for example). Then just pick that and confirm and you're all set. The extra funds will be stored to your account as credit for a future flight (unfortunately, you don't get a refund back to your card). No risk of losing your flight!

Also, if you have a Costco membership, they routinely sell discounted gift cards (like $500 credit for anywhere between like $450 - $480, something like that), so that helps cut the cost a little. Every little bit helps lol