After reading this news story that half of Americans are skipping meals because of affordability and a bad economy, I have to ask how are you all doing out there?
I heard from a real estate agent friend of mine that REOs, i.e. bank foreclosures on home mortgages, are going up like crazy, which is a sign of bad times, like the recession of 2007-08.
I have heard from others about rents not being paid, lack of jobs, etc.
Every day, there’s more news of corporate layoffs, moreso than usual.
I live in the economic bubble of the SF Bay Area, where tech wealth more-or-less insulates me and mine from the most serious consequences of a bad economy, but how are things elsewhere?
Supermarkets are struggling because there aren’t enough people buying groceries.
UK, depends who you talk to. Russian bots would have you believe everything is falling apart. London is also really expensive.
I live on the south coast, even on minimum wage I have never struggled. As long as you can find stable employment you will have enough money to be comfortable. Honestly, I don’t even know what to spend my money on.
Approx monthly bills, 900 mortgage (fuck you Liz truss), 175 council tax, 80 electricity, 120 food, 22 internet. Water is on a 6 month cycle and costs some mid 2 figure number each time so that is barely anything.
So about 1300/month. That is for 2 of us, £650/month each, or £7800/year. Minimum wage is about £25k.
Researcher here who taught graduate level research skills: I’m walking dogs.
Because of the belief that the economy is bad, employers are taking advantage of working class people by removing their niceties like remote work and way work days. We’re being told to work harder and produce +50% to make up for a 10% shortfall which feels like a fucking scam.
Not sure if I should write this, but here is a summary from Russia:
Everything is fine overall. There are some cuts (I work in a telecom company). Nevertheless, there are enough vacancies, and the only downside is the merging of positions from different departments in some places. At my last test interview sprint, I got a job in 3 days.
Fuel prices have almost doubled, so I’ve started driving less for non-essential matters. Small businesses have closed down in some places, so now there are only 3 snack bars in the neighborhood instead of 5. Inflation is felt unpleasantly; prices are slowly rising.
Nevertheless, I eat whatever I want, drink whatever I want, and buy electronics. Maybe I’m just lucky and things are worse for blue-collar workers.
Rural north-eastern Brazil.
I’m unemployed, living with my mom and sibling and we’re neck-deep in debts while living on less than $400 a month. I can’t afford to go to university and there are little to no jobs that I can do nearby (I’m autistic and have a shitload of sensitivities). I’ve a couple more places to apply to, and my dad is studying the possibility of bringing me to live with him somewhere else.
I only paid $200 of my rent today and have to backpay the rest. been eating white rice with random stuff mixed in to sustain. sometimes vegetables, sometimes beans, sometimes absurdly random shit like mustard or pickles lmao. gotta do whatcha gotta do I guess. I live not far in the central valley
To shreds you say…
Not giving a shit is what it is. Third? Fourth? time around, I think I’m getting kinky.
I’m on the look out for jobs for 4 people right now but not seeing anything good so far despite their talents.
Everyone is stuck housing wise where prices are so high plus inflation most I know can’t get into buying a house and those that want to sell are holding off.
Every retired person I know is on active look out to reduce expenses drastically because the fixed income just enough.
I barely have enough money to make a trip into town, much less buy anything. I squat in the woods eating fish and potatoes and tinkering with the scavenged infrastructure that supports me. It’s actually pretty dope lol
I grew up somewhat privileged. We weren’t rich, but my family never really wanted for anything growing up. And then I was able to live at home until 25 and pay off my student loans and get a good career with no debt. So the economy doesn’t really affect me. I don’t live paycheck to paycheck but I’m extremely frugal and I do notice grocery prices increases. That being said I’m 100% progressive and do have sympathy for others and we need to fix this system.
What does fixing the system look like though? Far too many people seem to just want to consume unsustainably and would do so even more if they could.
How much does someone need?
Yes, some at the bottom really should have more. But there are many in the middle who should consume less and will justify it by comparing to those at the top who are even worse.
Feel like donating to the cause? (The cause is that I would like a computer)
My company had another layoff about a month ago. But it didn’t get me
No money. Living in a camper on my parents’ property while going back to school to become a massage therapist, because AI can’t squeeze people.
So not so great, I guess. But hopefully the license turns the money spigot back on, cuz Uber driving is becoming slavery and is barely profitable.
It’s ok not great I guess? There is a growing disconnect between prices of goods, and wages. Rents and house prices being the biggest example but also electricity, food, gas (I don’t drive much but the gas price shows up in other things like food)
moreso
more so
