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?
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.
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
Sketchy, UK, Southern, think below London and on the Sea.
I’m a carpenter and have someone with a masters in environmental science working for me as a labourer.
Many of my construction friends are being called by there office friends for jobs.
am in south korea… samsung/hynix semiconductors are selling like crazy and that heavily lifts the numbers like GDP, but actual economy feels terrible overall. living prices are rising heavily while wages are stagnant.
Scotland. Fucked. The terrifying thing I realised recently is how I can see the sharp decline in living standards pre-and-post covid. If we dont get a grip of it we’re backsliding toward Dickensian levels of poverty and deprivation.
Other thing I noticed recently - how most of our short-term problems can be linked to that cunt Trump. Iran war, tariffs, Ukraine etc. I say this to highlight to the Americans in the room that your political choices have implications far beyond your own borders. Theres fuck all I can do about him, but plenty you can do.
