Feels like it. I’m getting the most pay in my life and 5 years ago it would have been comfortable. Now with the cost of everything I’m just eeking by. Hell I drive a 30 year old car still as I can’t afford a new one or even a newer used one
Not everybody.
All of the worst people you know of or can imagine are doing GREAT.
Yeah, shits tight and every institution is in decay. On the other hand it’s only gonna get worse until it gets better, so theres that.
I’m not struggling but damnit i want some fucking slack.
…so youre struggling and you just cant admit it?
…Wot?
I’m very lucky
I live in a civilised country (not 'Murica)
A few years ago I worked my arse off doing something very niche and managed to save a lot of money
I live a fairly simple life, but I do drink a lot, so that’s an expense I could cut
I travel a lot at the moment, and when I stop doing that I’ll be able to save quite a lot of money
I know how fortunate I am, and how difficult it is for some people, especially in the US
What was your niche specialty?
I’m not going to say that, because it’s a very small world sometimes
I hope you understand
Of course. Glad you found something that worked out for you
Financially, no. Emotionally, fuck yeah.
Same. Im at the point fortunately where by pocketbook can still stretch farther than my ability to deal with this bullshittery. I will live. But I’m pissed about it. And my heart goes out to those that can’t. I don’t have a solution but I hope we fix it soon.
My economy is incredibly solid, and I’m not the most frugal. Could live off savings for more than a year.
Living in Scandinavia, background in physics.
I have been rather fortunate, and well paid (~$120K after taxes and savings). Even 3 years ago, I didn’t have to think about money day to day. I was brought up with a very modest lifestyle, so the things that feel extravagent to me were affordable in that context.
Today my wife and I eat out less, shop for groceries differently, and plan things that used to be a small purchase more carefully. It’s not a struggle in the important senses, but I have a clear feeling of “it’s going to get worse”, and I want to make lifestyle adjustments ahead of that rather than falling behind it.
We’re by no means struggling relative to what many are going through right now, but we definitely already lost multiple safety-nets in a very brief amount of time under Trump’s 2nd term.
I am well off, but not well off enough to lift other people out of their misery. I contribute what I easily can, but every day I wish for the world to change, even if that means having less income as a result.
I’m not, have a pretty high double income. But, a lot of my friends are. I’m starting to notice things getting more expensive, but I was pissed off before that.
I don’t have to be struggling myself to be upset at how things are going. I guess not everybody is like that.
My situation exactly. I get pissed off thinking about how unaffordable everything is for the majority of people right now.
My sales had a significant drop the past several months, it’s now just barely over my bills. And my bills are really small compared to most.
Quite freaked out about it. Keep thinking sales are coming… Xmas is soon… Where are the sales?
I setup rain water catchment and solar power, so at least I have free water and power.
Counted my stash of canned foods yesterday and checked all the experation dates.
Just making sure I have: food, water, shelter. No matter what happens, hopefully I can ride it out here.
I’ve ramped up my garden from a hobby to being more productive for food this year.
Engaging in more rain catchment as well, though I need to get bigger tanks – at least some IBC totes, but ideally a 500 gal cistern. My pool is admittedly also my emergency water ration. Solar, I have panels and am amassing pieces, but I haven’t quite figured out how I want to integrate it. I have what is needed for a primitive off-grid setup, should it be necessary, but would love to go a couple steps further.
My biggest objective is getting proper acreage somewhere with water that I can transition into a more sustainable homestead.
You mention Xmas and last year was the first one all adults in my extended family agreed not to exchange any gifts, both to save money for rainy days ahead, and to also pinch this economy further to prove a point and bring people to wake up and vote Democrat (most sadly only learn by how it impacts their bottom-line, or the big numbers at the gas pump). We plan to do the same this year as well. Sorry you’re caught up in that.
Struggling?
No.
Drowning, yes.
the finances I have to manage are a 12 pound bass hanging off 4 pound line.
I am.
I’m so god damn hungry.
No. But I do feel slightly bad about it.
Don’t have kids I guess? 🤷
