I'm leaning heavily on my library for books, audiobooks, and free events. I utilize my AMC a list A LOT because $20 a month for up to 16 movies seems free. I don't feel bad about a spending more than usual on groceries right now because that's how I avoid eating out. Lots of businesses I don't want to give money to.
Honestly? Feels a little rebellious to save money right now, and I'm cool with that.
I've always been a minimalist, but the constant barrage of online marketing has pushed me farther from consumerism. Most of my joy comes from little free libraries, local parks, free cultural events, and things where I'm directly supporting something I care about. Our spending and our attention is our power right now.
My husband was just telling me about a piece he read about how the Disney parks in the last twenty years have basically completely changed their model from the original “everyone can take their family here and have the same experience” to only catering to high-income spenders, how if you want the same experience now, families have to save for YEARS and still do crazy things to afford it, It seems ridiculous re: theme parks but it’s a big canary in the coal mine for what you’re highlighting here. The middle class has almost completely disappeared and private equity has pushed everything, especially media and entertainment, solely toward that high-earning bracket. This will absolutely crater the economy but honestly, though it’s frightening to contemplate, we need to compost our entire capitalist system and start over because if it keeps even one of us down, it keeps us ALL down. No more hierarchies, period.
I read that article and it’s bananas to me that companies like Disney are basically saying “we need only appeal to the highest earners because their spending power dwarfs EVERYONE else”
I’ve spent most of this year being unemployed and cutting way back on “unnecessary” spending. So it makes sense that I’ve read 3x the number of books as previous years (using the Libby app and borrowing from friends). I’ve also been baking and cooking more and my yard gets TONS of attention!
Yes! Though, I’m not reading many new releases but faves I read this year were Impossible Creatures, the Thursday Murder Club series and The Frozen River.
I also found Emily Oster’s book Expecting Better very useful when I was pregnant. Unfortunately, it seems Emily has taken a bit of a rightward shift in recent years. Her podcast is on Bari Weiss’s platform and her research has been funded by Peter Thiel.
Yes it is. I still recommend Expecting Better to friends, I just won’t listen to the podcast and it makes me more skeptical of her school research, which is what Thiel funded.
I get that that’s concerning and I don’t love that either, but what I do respect about Emily is that she always presents her research solely on the facts. She’s been on a big tear against RFK and Trump’s dangerous health policies, she’s vehemently opposed to their anti-vax/anti-tylenol rhetoric. I think part of our political problem is that we’re so quick to abandon or cancel people without giving them the benefit of the doubt or being able to respect someone and also disagree with some of their choices.
I don't disagree with you, Carly! And as someone who's building an independent media company, I also know how difficult it is to find and secure funding, and how complicated and nuanced so much of this is. We also end up blaming the little guys, when the real problems are the Thiels of the world. That's where my problem lies! :)
I am battening down the hatches HARD. I’m buying nothing but groceries. I shopped more than usual when Trump first came in, trying to get ahead of what I knew was coming. I’m very well stocked up. My pantry is full and I’ve purchased all the household items and clothing I’ll need — I did have to purchase all new clothes because of weight loss. If it’s not a necessity, I’m not buying it. I believe we are in for the worst financial storm of our lives. YMMV; I have never made a lot of money and feel very vulnerable. If you have a good financial situation and your job is safe you may not face the same issues. But the rest of us better be careful.
It does feel rebellious to save money and not spend! In such a capitalist bloodthirsty society it feels wonderful to not feed into it, when possible. I have been trying to be mindful and not spend unnecessarily.
If you have a wonderful library, USE IT. Right now my library is in the midst of a lawsuit, no new materials for the past four years. Buying used books and DVDs, because we have Amazon prime and YouTube, no streaming services. Grocery shopping is frightening everything is so high. First time I came out under $250 this week. Very little extras, using coupons and discounts and we buy store brands or on sale items. Basic baking items gasp!
No new clothes, shoes or extras. Bye bye ANY LL Bean purchases, my favorite store, I just can’t afford it. Buying second hand if needed. Pass along shoes, dresses, tops that no longer fit. Get out my knitting for basic sweaters, socks, and wraps. Stock up on coffee, kick the soda habit, do small Mexican tacos for Friday night treat.
Food bank in need of donations and workers. Try helping in October.
My tablet is putting in odd words, and touch keypad acting up.
The recession is already here. It’s bad.
Good tip. If you are the box brownie kind of person, Ghirardelli for the win.
When it came time to quit Disney+ last week, I found it strangely liberating. Goodbye Hulu and Only Murders in the Building, Season Five, hello reading time. Sometimes you make the upgrade by saving money.
I’ve been watching a UK program called “Rich Kids Go Skint.” It ran for 5 seasons, up until 2023, and focused on showing privileged young adults the reality of “living on the breadline” for families during the cost of living crisis, by spending a couple of days in their homes. It’s pretty formulaic, and one of the “prompts” is that the family shows the rich kid how they have fun without spending money. It’s usually pretty obvious things, but it does drive home the point that there are loads of pleasures to be derived without opening up one’s wallet.
Walking my dogs, reading through my TBR pile, and writing humor. All free, and all make me happier!
Strangely, buying small things for friends or those in need has increased. But I realized helping others makes me happier and feels like voting for the kind of world I want to live in.
And speaking of voting — I’ll be doing that in November, for sure. Still free. And they even give me a sticker to wear!
Hiking/walking is my go-to activity to get my endorphins going while opting out of capitalism. BUT I just couldn't find a way to avoid Jeff Bezos when it came to my kid's Halloween costume. I'm not particularly crafty, and my son wanted to be a dilophosaurus. How I wish I could have gotten around that.
Same as you and Georgie who commented below here. I'm using the library, I'm looking at thrift shops (for myself and my kid) and I'm being really thoughtful about spending -- more on experiences than things. Getting into my Halloween era with creating crafts with my kid and our halloween costumes. Trying to reduce outgoings overall. Safety of savings feels so much better than things in any economic climate but especially now.
I moved from Indianapolis to Boston about 15 months ago, and am still trying to adjust my finances. I use to be able to put $400 a month into my travel fund, but that doesn’t happen now. And even when I’ve cut way back in spending on certain aspects, I still don’t feel like I’m gaining ground.
I don’t go out to restaurants often anymore. It’s one hard to justify the quality for the price. It’s feels for a single person, it’s easy to rack up a $60+ bill on not much. Plus, I love to cook and bake, and feel my food is better than the mediocre spots that care more about aesthetics than the actual food. Also, I don’t get my coffee at coffee shops much anymore. I will make my pourover at home or go cold turkey for the day.
To make a little extra money, I’ve been selling clothes on Poshmark that I truly don’t wear.
I am not joking when I say that the only thing that I WANT to buy these days is a mint mocha iced coffee at Wawa! Thank goodness I have to get in the car first to get there and that holds zero appeal when I have food and coffee at home.
Walking in the woods and pickle ball lately keeps me focused. Both free and fun during this beautiful fall season. And reading and writing on Substack, of course.
I'm leaning heavily on my library for books, audiobooks, and free events. I utilize my AMC a list A LOT because $20 a month for up to 16 movies seems free. I don't feel bad about a spending more than usual on groceries right now because that's how I avoid eating out. Lots of businesses I don't want to give money to.
Honestly? Feels a little rebellious to save money right now, and I'm cool with that.
Love that!
It really does!
I've always been a minimalist, but the constant barrage of online marketing has pushed me farther from consumerism. Most of my joy comes from little free libraries, local parks, free cultural events, and things where I'm directly supporting something I care about. Our spending and our attention is our power right now.
Love this!!!!
“ Our spending and our attention is our power right now.”
I’m off IG and FB (was never on TT) and trying to be hyper aware of where I’m spending my money!!!!!!!
My husband was just telling me about a piece he read about how the Disney parks in the last twenty years have basically completely changed their model from the original “everyone can take their family here and have the same experience” to only catering to high-income spenders, how if you want the same experience now, families have to save for YEARS and still do crazy things to afford it, It seems ridiculous re: theme parks but it’s a big canary in the coal mine for what you’re highlighting here. The middle class has almost completely disappeared and private equity has pushed everything, especially media and entertainment, solely toward that high-earning bracket. This will absolutely crater the economy but honestly, though it’s frightening to contemplate, we need to compost our entire capitalist system and start over because if it keeps even one of us down, it keeps us ALL down. No more hierarchies, period.
Oh yes everything is catered to high earners now. Even stores like Walmart are trying to appeal to them!
I read that article and it’s bananas to me that companies like Disney are basically saying “we need only appeal to the highest earners because their spending power dwarfs EVERYONE else”
I’ve spent most of this year being unemployed and cutting way back on “unnecessary” spending. So it makes sense that I’ve read 3x the number of books as previous years (using the Libby app and borrowing from friends). I’ve also been baking and cooking more and my yard gets TONS of attention!
Any book recs?
Yes! Though, I’m not reading many new releases but faves I read this year were Impossible Creatures, the Thursday Murder Club series and The Frozen River.
Loveee Thursday Murder Club
Ooh, I heard good things about Frozen River. I need to borrow that one from the library.
I also found Emily Oster’s book Expecting Better very useful when I was pregnant. Unfortunately, it seems Emily has taken a bit of a rightward shift in recent years. Her podcast is on Bari Weiss’s platform and her research has been funded by Peter Thiel.
It's too bad she gets funding from Peter Thiel. And it's also frustrating that it seems everything has a political tinge these days.
Yes it is. I still recommend Expecting Better to friends, I just won’t listen to the podcast and it makes me more skeptical of her school research, which is what Thiel funded.
I'm not really a podcast person, so I've never listened to her podcast. But Thiel's politics are super problematic, so it certainly makes you pause.
Also, it's so hard to keep up with it all! Appreciate you sharing here! :)
I get that that’s concerning and I don’t love that either, but what I do respect about Emily is that she always presents her research solely on the facts. She’s been on a big tear against RFK and Trump’s dangerous health policies, she’s vehemently opposed to their anti-vax/anti-tylenol rhetoric. I think part of our political problem is that we’re so quick to abandon or cancel people without giving them the benefit of the doubt or being able to respect someone and also disagree with some of their choices.
I don't disagree with you, Carly! And as someone who's building an independent media company, I also know how difficult it is to find and secure funding, and how complicated and nuanced so much of this is. We also end up blaming the little guys, when the real problems are the Thiels of the world. That's where my problem lies! :)
I am battening down the hatches HARD. I’m buying nothing but groceries. I shopped more than usual when Trump first came in, trying to get ahead of what I knew was coming. I’m very well stocked up. My pantry is full and I’ve purchased all the household items and clothing I’ll need — I did have to purchase all new clothes because of weight loss. If it’s not a necessity, I’m not buying it. I believe we are in for the worst financial storm of our lives. YMMV; I have never made a lot of money and feel very vulnerable. If you have a good financial situation and your job is safe you may not face the same issues. But the rest of us better be careful.
Totally agree and right there with you.
It does feel rebellious to save money and not spend! In such a capitalist bloodthirsty society it feels wonderful to not feed into it, when possible. I have been trying to be mindful and not spend unnecessarily.
If you have a wonderful library, USE IT. Right now my library is in the midst of a lawsuit, no new materials for the past four years. Buying used books and DVDs, because we have Amazon prime and YouTube, no streaming services. Grocery shopping is frightening everything is so high. First time I came out under $250 this week. Very little extras, using coupons and discounts and we buy store brands or on sale items. Basic baking items gasp!
No new clothes, shoes or extras. Bye bye ANY LL Bean purchases, my favorite store, I just can’t afford it. Buying second hand if needed. Pass along shoes, dresses, tops that no longer fit. Get out my knitting for basic sweaters, socks, and wraps. Stock up on coffee, kick the soda habit, do small Mexican tacos for Friday night treat.
Food bank in need of donations and workers. Try helping in October.
My tablet is putting in odd words, and touch keypad acting up.
The recession is already here. It’s bad.
Good tip. If you are the box brownie kind of person, Ghirardelli for the win.
I like to end on a positive note.
When it came time to quit Disney+ last week, I found it strangely liberating. Goodbye Hulu and Only Murders in the Building, Season Five, hello reading time. Sometimes you make the upgrade by saving money.
I’ve been watching a UK program called “Rich Kids Go Skint.” It ran for 5 seasons, up until 2023, and focused on showing privileged young adults the reality of “living on the breadline” for families during the cost of living crisis, by spending a couple of days in their homes. It’s pretty formulaic, and one of the “prompts” is that the family shows the rich kid how they have fun without spending money. It’s usually pretty obvious things, but it does drive home the point that there are loads of pleasures to be derived without opening up one’s wallet.
Oh I wonder if it's on DVD and if my library might have a copy!
I think a bunch of them are of YouTube (legally uploaded).
Walking my dogs, reading through my TBR pile, and writing humor. All free, and all make me happier!
Strangely, buying small things for friends or those in need has increased. But I realized helping others makes me happier and feels like voting for the kind of world I want to live in.
And speaking of voting — I’ll be doing that in November, for sure. Still free. And they even give me a sticker to wear!
Hiking/walking is my go-to activity to get my endorphins going while opting out of capitalism. BUT I just couldn't find a way to avoid Jeff Bezos when it came to my kid's Halloween costume. I'm not particularly crafty, and my son wanted to be a dilophosaurus. How I wish I could have gotten around that.
Same as you and Georgie who commented below here. I'm using the library, I'm looking at thrift shops (for myself and my kid) and I'm being really thoughtful about spending -- more on experiences than things. Getting into my Halloween era with creating crafts with my kid and our halloween costumes. Trying to reduce outgoings overall. Safety of savings feels so much better than things in any economic climate but especially now.
I moved from Indianapolis to Boston about 15 months ago, and am still trying to adjust my finances. I use to be able to put $400 a month into my travel fund, but that doesn’t happen now. And even when I’ve cut way back in spending on certain aspects, I still don’t feel like I’m gaining ground.
I don’t go out to restaurants often anymore. It’s one hard to justify the quality for the price. It’s feels for a single person, it’s easy to rack up a $60+ bill on not much. Plus, I love to cook and bake, and feel my food is better than the mediocre spots that care more about aesthetics than the actual food. Also, I don’t get my coffee at coffee shops much anymore. I will make my pourover at home or go cold turkey for the day.
To make a little extra money, I’ve been selling clothes on Poshmark that I truly don’t wear.
I am not joking when I say that the only thing that I WANT to buy these days is a mint mocha iced coffee at Wawa! Thank goodness I have to get in the car first to get there and that holds zero appeal when I have food and coffee at home.
Walking in the woods and pickle ball lately keeps me focused. Both free and fun during this beautiful fall season. And reading and writing on Substack, of course.