Especially for ladies in the US, in what areas are we cutting back spending to stay afloat during this self-inflicted recession without completely depriving ourselves of things that bring us joy? What other kind of financial planning are you doing?
Especially for ladies in the US, in what areas are we cutting back spending to stay afloat during this self-inflicted recession without completely depriving ourselves of things that bring us joy? What other kind of financial planning are you doing?
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Find joy in more natural things. Gardening, farm animals, building things.
If getting dirty is something you can’t enjoy, maybe working with herbs (growing your own fresh herbs in a smaller, more manageable container) and learning to cook/bake with raw ingredients from farms. It’s a fun challenge and you can save.
If we learn to provide for ourselves, we won’t have to rely so much on the bigger corporations or government. Would be a good idea to reach out to the homesteaders community.
Hiking it’s free makes you feel alive
If I were American I’d be stocking up on coffee and chocolate because it’s about to get reaaaaally expensive.
As for me, I don’t know where this global depression is going to land, but New Zealand has free trade with China so that’s nice at least.
I have made sure I have dried beans and rice and frozen fruit and vegetables to last, beefed up my emergency fund, went to visit family in a different country while I can still afford to.
I replaced my laptop last December even though I normally would have gone another year or two.
I have fully divested from all US holdings. In January (right before the US regime change) I moved the investments in my FHSA (Canadians will know) to CASH.TO. Can’t afford to be volatile there. Everything else I gradually moved first to total market ETFs by Canadian banks, then to a series of funds that totally exclude the US.
I have found alternatives for the few US products I buy at the grocery store. I will miss Momofuku ramen noodles and the brand of nutritional yeast I normally get, but everything else is good.
I bought a couple of used board games since the US being the biggest market means new board games won’t be produced as much, and everything being terrible means I’ll want games to distract myself from the horrors.
Travel. I’m only doing necessary travel for my daughter’s competition. Otherwise nothing else. I think we were originally planning going to Greece or Europe but that’s not happening. I shop at Costco more. Everything there is cheaper for us.
Literally going barebones with our consumption, specifically groceries with meal prepping. We recently upgraded our big ticket items in the past 2 years (cars, phones, appliances, etc.) so hopefully we won’t need to spend on those during tariffs. We are still contributing the max to retirement accounts because now is the best time to buy and we are still years from retirement. We have over 12 months of emergency fund just in case to weather any job losses. We recently bought a national park pass so we can do more hiking/camping and escape for our mental health. Fortunately, our jobs are quite recession proof so we hope to just continue to do well at our jobs and don’t get fired.
Central American espresso is only 2.49 at Aldi, and it’s so good. It’s about to get so much more expensive 😭😭😭😭
Not from USA but we knew our country will go into recession after elections. We adjusted our spending where we could, food especially, like making food for the freezer.
Checked our house for what we need to replace so they won’t broke when we do not have money.
We did all our health checks and big investments (dental work, glasses) because what you need most is your health. Me and husband we both came from poor background, you can juggle with the budget but health is another matter, juggle and you can pay consequences after.
Boycotting Target, HomeGoods, etc. has helped me cut back unnecessary spending.
Thrifting on the other hand… is too fun. It’s my “treat” to myself every once in awhile.
Also I’m in a pickle.. my truck is getting lemon law pursued on it so I’m trying to save up for a new vehicle but that might not happen so I’ll just borrow my husbands car for awhile if needed. I’m lucky I work remote so that also helps me save on gas and other travel expenses.
Meal prepping and making my own things from scratch I can freeze (such as broth, tomato sauce with tomatoes from my garden, and pasta) has been helpful in saving money and stocking up!
I also sell items I no longer use or want on Facebook Marketplace and store that money in a jar.
American living abroad so, will be seeking citizenship here the minute I am eligible. In the meantime, keeping a steady hand with retirement/investment accounts, mindful spending, which is always the case for my partner and I honestly, and expanding my food garden/investing in my home/comfort.
Well I lost a bunch of money even though I am not even American. So that’s been great.
I am now using the internet to just exclusively look up recipes and Fawad Khan.
Marrying rich
/s kinda
I’m supposed to leave on my 40th birthday trip in 2 days and really unsure whether I should go at all. Ugh I hate this and the orange man
Not much. I’ve always been poor/not well off, even now. I am not an overconsumer, and I live alone with no kids or pets, so it’s just myself I need to worry about.
I moved half of my 401k to more of a savings account years ago, so the stock market crash didn’t really change mine.
I coupon and shop deals. If you have an Aldi or similar store, look there. Also, my local grocery store has pick up only deals and sends me coupons in the mail that I can stack with online ones.
Meal plan. I don’t eat out due to restrictions, but also cost.
Shop the thrift stores or clearance for clothes, and don’t buy new things unless you’re donating/replacing something. Don’t look at fashion and instead go with more generic, timeless items so they last years. You don’t need dozens of the same item.
I’m not yet cutting back, actually spending more. I’m enjoying as much Thai and Vietnamese food that I can before the restaurants have to shut down because the cost of ingredients is too high. I’m booking camping trips and local weekend vacations that won’t cost a lot but will give us the feeling of going away. And just like always, I’m spending time with friends, going to the farmers market and local book stores, getting ready for Founders Day, planning my garden for the summer. Except this summers garden will be a lot larger.
I’m also stocking up on things. I have bulk purchased all the baking ingredients I normally use, I have canned and dry beans, tomatoes, pasta, basmati rice, tea and coffee. I’ve bought large quantities of certain spices (garlic, cumin, curry powder, cinnamon, pepper, salt). I bought a book on canning.
My next purchase is canning jars and lids. My kids have outgrown their bikes and their summer clothes, so we’ll be getting those, but we’ll start at the second hand store to see if they’ve got what we need.
Honestly? Just the same as we’ve been doing. Putting money into retirement, and just taking it a day at a time. I’m most worried about the people who have been illegally “deported” aka thrown into a foreign prison without due process and the implications of that. The economy can come back, and for now, I’m not going to worry about my job. I’ve been worrying about recession and job security since 2008. I’m done worrying about it.
I am worried about this administration pushing laws through and taking away rights.
Tip for thrifting:
remember you can still over consume at the thrift store. Only buy what you REALLY love so you don’t become a clutter bug.
Finances:
I am buying dips here & there still with my “fun money” trading account. If your savings is sitting in a regular checking account, switch it to a HYSA so it can grow a bit at least. I have cash stored at home in case of emergency as well.
Restaurant at home:
It sounds silly but I pretend our home is a restaurant. The only place I’m willing to splurge these days are small businesses on Etsy occasionally for gifts & the grocery store. I’ve found I save more picking up groceries because of automatic coupons.
My diet is about to be on point because I will no longer be purchasing anything that is way too expensive 🫰🏾
I’ve been spending a bit on gardening supplies before prices go up. I only have a small apartment with a balcony but I put a little greenhouse out there and I’ve got a bunch of seeds and a schedule for starting them.
I’m crafty and made sure I had supplies for the next few projects I’ve been cooking up. Homemade gifts for everyone for the foreseeable future.
I’m already kinda a homebody during the weekdays, mostly doing my outings on the weekends, so if anything, maybe being more aware of my fun spending and going to more affordable spots, lol.
Other than that, I’m not really a “high maintenance” girly already. I get a haircut every 3 months as is. I got a balayage, so I wouldn’t need to do regular coloring upkeep. I do gel nails at home, bought a kit online, lol. Already paid off my laser hair removal, and it was unlimited, so I’ll keep going until all the hair is off 😅
Oh, and I have an espresso machine, I’ve had it for the past like 4-5 years I think, and I already usually make cappuccinos and lattes at home unless I’m going to a cafe on the weekend to change things up.
I would encourage everyone to stock up even more on dry foods, just in case. Toilet paper and paper towels, too. Idk how much prices will change, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I recently purchased a new bed and mattress for my guest room, and it feels like the timing aligned before they potentially raise prices more.
It’s a good time to explore nature and enjoy being outside, the simple things in life 🫶
Living my life, taking it a day at a time.
Impending collapse of the global economy is an incredibly Americanized and cynical view—and I AM American. And tbh I am just doing the best I can with what I have. there’s no point in self inducing anxiety over where we at right now. I’m not really letting shit get to me anymore. It’s gon be what it’s gon be either way. I’m just loving my kids and family and enjoying my time and trying to create joy where I can and spark inspiration and love in others when I can. Because what else is there anyways? Worry and fear? What’s the point? I won’t waste anymore of my life worrying about things that haven’t happened yet—even if they do eventually happen, why suffer through it more than once by worrying? That’s where I’m at and what I’m doing: I’m living. I’m learning. I’m reading a LOT of books. I’m filling my feed with leaders and activists that are not afraid to actually stand up and do something. I’m connecting with and communicating with people that think similar and different to me so we can see what we have in common and what really matters. I’m not letting doomers get to me. I’m not allowing myself to doom scroll. I’m having conversations with my kids. I’m making time and space for joy.
Stocking up for a week long black out . Just had an ice storm that out my city out of power for 11 days . Still had running water though , thank God. Have cash , not much , have a few things to trade or barter, small camp stove with butane …and when I have a few thousand I’m buying silver ounces . Other than that, keeping the bare minimum in the bank because they WILL collapse and take people’s money 💰 it’s a matter of time since we are allready bankrupt as a nation ..
I really love gardening too ! Learning to can and wild forage this year. 🤞🇨🇦
Canceled our honeymoon, to save money but also because I’m a brown naturalized citizen and I’m worried about getting swept up by ICE at airports. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but idk all bets are off on what could happen.
Quietly boycotting a bunch of big corps now makes it easy to not spend – I’m flabbergasted at how EASY it was to slide into debt because of online convenience shopping. I’m actually a bit sick when I think of it! So – stocking up on a few things like coffee, making sure the kids know how to take care of shoes and other things I’ve let them take for granted, and trying just to channel my Great Depression grandparents who knew to save nice wrapping paper and how to squeeze the last toothpaste out of the tube like nobody’s business.
Also supporting local small and kind small businesses (the coffee hoard and shoes) in hopes they survive this mess too.
My car just catastrophically failed (a Toyota of all things, yes I maintained it) so panic attacks are how I’m passing the time!
I’m not haha. Just gonna see what happens! Lol
I wish I prepared earlier….
well, the best would be to leave the cities asap I’d say.
UK, but cost of living is biting hard here too, which I expect to be compounded by the erratic markets. I’m pretty thrifty, I can cook, bake, mend, etc, but it’s getting tougher all the time
We’re definitely eating less varied than we were, I’m relying more on cheaper staples and cutting things out, like olive oil, etc.
Utilities are extortionate but other than turning lights off, do less wash loads, etc. I can’t really trim anything off that cost. Rent and rates have gone up too.
Luxuries like eating out and day trips are off. Treats come in the shape of cheap second-hand books and craft materials, and charity shop clothes, but even they have got ridiculous in price.
I’ve got to admit I’ve been indulging in what J.G. Ballard called ‘The inner migration’. I’ve been retreating into gardening and growing seeds, watching old films and reading. I’ve always been engaged with politics and current affairs, but less so these days. The endless doomscrolling isn’t good for my wellbeing
Deep pantry, growing veggies.
Made a necessary appliance purchase last fall.
Our only travel will be day trips, and rare ones at that. Staycations and free events for us this summer!
I bought two large shelving units. I am stockpiling.
Stockpile list:
Shelf stable grains like flour, rices, pastas, oats, quinoa, couscous, corn.
Dried beans, seeds, and legumes. Black beans, chickpeas, pinto beans, sesame, chia seeds, lentils.
Dried spices in bulk. Most home cooks only need the basics. For me it’s msg, salt, black pepper, red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, dried oregano, dried thyme.
I’d personally skip the jarred soups and sauces. I’d rather make my own, but canned fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, pumpkin, pickles, olives… can be as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, and they keep for years.
If you can preserve luxuries like coffee beans, teas, vanilla, chocolate, honey, stockpile these as well.
Condiments like spicy brown mustard, hot sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil… anything foreign will become expensive.
Focusing on hobbies that are one-time purchases; just got a great deal on a used keyboard, which will provide hours of no-cost entertainment.
Getting myself set-up to sustain a 4-year stint of no additional luxuries…no new clothes, home products, makeup beyond the occasional refill, etc.
Looking for work in case my job is cut. Dreaming of places to move to. Steadily investing. A lot of “coming to terms” with reality.
Budget your own shein-core grocery haul between tiktok therapy and temu flash. Wifi is still on. Uber eats still works. Ladies in the U.S doing just fine.
Frantically applying for Canadian citizenship based on my heritage. Grateful to have that option which I never even thought about previously.
I suggest anyone with immigrant parents or grandparents (which is a lot of people) look into potential ancestry visas, get their paperwork in order, and be ready to take advantage of any opportunities available to them.
Trying to sell our house so we can move out of the rural hellscape that is Idaho, and go to Washington where my husband will have consistent work (is a plumber) and I’m remote so it doesn’t matter where I live (but no state income tax is nice). We have 2 young kids, so I think it’s going to come down to really only buying necessary things…childcare is killing us.
Consumed with rage for the orange turd. My investments are down atm so I’m pretty pissed off but obviously thats not the only reason. Strategy seems to be hold investments and don’t sell though, and ride it out.
I don’t have a lot of extra income right now. I’m ignoring my retirement account and buying one extra shelf stable food any time I go to the store.