Opinion: Is Struggling Financially the New Normal?

sad man looking into his empty walletPhoto bypathdoc via Shutterstock

It seems everyone is struggling these days. Whether they’re stuck living with their parents because they can’t afford a home or facing sticker shock at rising food prices, it seems like more and more people are a paycheck away from complete disaster.

Is this soul-crushing financial struggle the new normal?

One person came to a popular internet community asking users to share whether it’s just them.

“People are either not able to find work, working low paying jobs while still living paycheck to paycheck, living at home with their parents, or having to live with 3+ roommates,” shared the Original Poster, adding, “It also seems like the homeless population had pretty much increased all over the US.”

They wanted to know if everyone else felt the same.

Decreasing Savings

Many said they were not struggling yet, but the rising costs meant they had to cut savings.

“The amount we can put towards savings is definitely decreasing a bit with how much more we're spending day to day, especially on food!” said one user.

Or Hoarding Cash

Some went the opposite way. They’re terrified at how bad things will get, so they hoard cash in case the economy worsens.

It’s a vicious cycle. When people hoard cash, they stop buying non-essentials. This reduces profits for companies, who sometimes lay staff off to stay afloat. Layoffs create even more financial stress, leading to more layoffs, and soon, the country finds itself spiraling into a depression.

Feeling the Pain

Some users said they’re definitely noticing the sharp increases in essentials and minor luxuries.

“I stopped buying paper towels, dryer sheets, coffee creamer, things I would normally consider “necessities” to save money,” shared one.

“I haven't bought a regular-sized bag of chips in a year,” added another.

A Constant State of Stress

Most users agreed with OP. They’re living in constant stress, barely able to pay their bills and feed their families.

“I can't even sleep at night at this point,” stated one user. “I’m just on edge 24/7. I can't afford food.”

“As a 53 year old single mom with a son on the spectrum, I literally had $37 till Friday for gas and food. It’s ridiculous,” said another, who shared that she makes $30 per hour but pays 2K monthly rent - the cheapest place she could find.

Another shared that she lives with her partner, and they collectively bring home nearly $145K per year, but they’re still struggling. “Between student loans, rent, furniture payment plans, car payments, and groceries, there’s just no money we can put away at the end of the pay period,” she said.

Something Has To Give

The current situation isn’t sustainable. We’re swiftly reaching the point where average Americans can no longer afford to live.

Do you really want to know what happens when we reach that tipping point?

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.