What would you do and what's the last thing you'd give up if the economy completely crushed you?

I’m not entirely sure which sub-forum this belongs in—mods, please feel free to move this if I’ve got the wrong spot. Thanks. 🙂

The current global crisis has been weighing on my mind lately. So many people are losing their jobs, facing eviction, drowning in unpaid bills, and even having to give up long-time pets just to get by. The stress and pressure are just relentless...
I honestly have so much respect for individuals who can handle these kinds of life-altering setbacks and still find a way to navigate a completely new reality.
I'm curious—how would you all handle a situation like this?
Would you turn to illegal work, try making and selling something, liquidate everything you own, or focus on protecting your kids, pets, or whatever else matters most?
What would be the absolute last thing you'd ever give up—the one thing you'd hold onto even if you were living on nothing but bread and water?

For me, giving up my pets would be the hardest part; I'd rather go hungry than see them suffer. But honestly, losing my phone would also hit me incredibly hard—I'm a total addict when it comes to the internet and staying connected with people. It sounds silly to some, I know, but I don't think I could handle that level of isolation on top of everything else. You need some kind of outlet to stay sane, right?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
🙂

First, I’d clear house—get rid of everyone in both the ruling party and the opposition. Then, I’d demand my own money back. Only after I’ve recovered what was stolen from me would I actually start thinking strategically about our next moves. 😁

I’d honestly walk away from the whole country—or at least this broken system that rigged everything in the first place—just so I could start tearing it all down 🙂

Long live the Revolution 🙂
.

Brandon Ramirez said:I’m not entirely sure which sub-forum this belongs in—mods, please feel free to move this if I’ve got the wrong spot. Thanks. 🙂

The current global crisis has been weighing on my mind lately. So many people are losing their jobs, facing eviction, drowning in unpaid bills, and even having to give up long-time pets just to get by. The stress and pressure are just relentless...
I honestly have so much respect for individuals who can handle these kinds of life-altering setbacks and still find a way to navigate a completely new reality.
I'm curious—how would you all handle a situation like this?
Would you turn to illegal work, try making and selling something, liquidate everything you own, or focus on protecting your kids, pets, or whatever else matters most?
What would be the absolute last thing you'd ever give up—the one thing you'd hold onto even if you were living on nothing but bread and water?

For me, giving up my pets would be the hardest part; I'd rather go hungry than see them suffer. But honestly, losing my phone would also hit me incredibly hard—I'm a total addict when it comes to the internet and staying connected with people. It sounds silly to some, I know, but I don't think I could handle that level of isolation on top of everything else. You need some kind of outlet to stay sane, right?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
🙂

For me, my dog isn't even on the list of things I could give up. It's just not an option. And if we're talking about what comes last on the list? That would definitely be cigarettes.

Hey, my favorite stylists. 😁

I gave up smoking a long time ago. But for me, it isn’t about deprivation; it’s about creation. I’ve never had a garden before, but I’m slowly putting one together because I refuse to go without arugula—which is $3.25 barely a quarter pound and grows with almost zero effort or investment—or Swiss chard, which is $6.75 a couple of pounds and spreads through the garden like a weed.
Instead of wasting an hour slumped in front of the TV, I’d rather get some physical work done on the weekends and save a little money in the process.

If you were truly left with nothing, you would find a way to eat regardless.

Ryan Vaughn7 said:For me, my dog isn't even on the list of things I could give up. It's just not an option. And if we're talking about what comes last on the list? That would definitely be cigarettes.

I figured someone would bring up smoking 🤣
you smokers! honestly, I could give it all up in a heartbeat 🙂
but who am I to judge? I'd probably go into DT after being without Coca-Cola for twelve hours, so I'll just keep my mouth shut...
Yeah, pets are a heavy subject. I was just reading a thread about someone rehoming two cats—one is 10 and the other is 5.5 years old 😢
it's a coma. I think the only way I'd ever do that is if I knew, 100%, that I couldn't provide for them or meet their basic needs anymore. I'd rather they be well cared for than suffer because of me.

Brandon Ramirez said:I figured someone would bring up smoking 🤣
you smokers! honestly, I could give it all up in a heartbeat 🙂
but who am I to judge? I'd probably go into DT after being without Coca-Cola for twelve hours, so I'll just keep my mouth shut...
Yeah, pets are a heavy subject. I was just reading a thread about someone rehoming two cats—one is 10 and the other is 5.5 years old 😢
it's a coma. I think the only way I'd ever do that is if I knew, 100%, that I couldn't provide for them or meet their basic needs anymore. I'd rather they be well cared for than suffer because of me.

I love animals, but at this stage of my life, I wouldn't take on even a goldfish, let alone a cat or a dog. There are always complications regarding boarding or pet-sitting; you simply cannot move freely. I plan to get a dog during retirement when I am less mobile.

I suspect that for our generation, the greatest challenge in old age will be BILLS. Electricity, heating, communication, and food.

Don't sweat it, having a cat isn't exactly breaking the bank. Besides, she's basically self-sufficient when it comes to snacks 😁

northerntiger said:Don't sweat it, having a cat isn't exactly breaking the bank. Besides, she's basically self-sufficient when it comes to snacks 😁

I beg to differ. I know people with cats that do nothing but eat three cans of Shiba per day, insist on using the most expensive litter available, and systematically destroy every piece of furniture in the house. And don't even get me started on logistics—what happens when you have to travel for work or take a vacation? $33You're looking at paying for a hotel room per day just to accommodate them.

Vaccinations, annual checkups, microchipping, vet visits, spaying/neutering... the costs add up quickly.

Kevin Gonzalez79 said:I love animals, but at this stage of my life, I wouldn't take on even a goldfish, let alone a cat or a dog. There are always complications regarding boarding or pet-sitting; you simply cannot move freely. I plan to get a dog during retirement when I am less mobile.

I suspect that for our generation, the greatest challenge in old age will be BILLS. Electricity, heating, communication, and food.

That’s already becoming an issue for plenty of people today. Just look at security guards or grocery store clerks living on $833 wages while gas and utility prices keep climbing. Honestly, a lot of things we take for granted every single day are probably already considered luxuries for many.

Kevin Gonzalez79 said:I beg to differ. I know people with cats that do nothing but eat three cans of Shiba per day, insist on using the most expensive litter available, and systematically destroy every piece of furniture in the house. And don't even get me started on logistics—what happens when you have to travel for work or take a vacation? $33You're looking at paying for a hotel room per day just to accommodate them.

Vaccinations, annual checkups, microchipping, vet visits, spaying/neutering... the costs add up quickly.

You can find cheap cat food pretty easily, which works fine if you mix in some leftovers, especially when money is tight. Microchipping and shots aren't strictly mandatory for everyone, and if they learn, they can just go outside to use the bathroom. Honestly, the situation that prompted the OP—leaving older cats behind because of a crisis—is just heartbreaking. In my book, the only real reason someone should be forced to give up long-term pets is if they get sick.

My cat doesn't eat Shiba, but she still wouldn't stand a chance in the situation northerntiger is describing. She’s been indoors her whole life—kept warm, pampered, and cared for. If I suddenly let her out after nearly six years to fend for herself and hunt for shelter, it would be the same as killing her intentionally.

I wouldn't trade a single second of it... because if I'm destined to go down, I might as well go down in a blaze of glory.

😎

I didn't even suggest that.

Personally, I could never bring myself to kick an animal out onto the street. To me, a pet is a living being that stays the owner's responsibility for its entire life. That’s why I think the whole "impulse buy" culture is such a huge issue—people treat them like they're just some disposable toy. If you're going to give them a great, protected life, you have to see that commitment through until the very end. Plus, not everyone treats their cats like little indoor accessories. Some folks have houses and big backyards where cats can be more "outdoorsy"—they get to roam, hunt, and explore, then just come back inside to eat and sleep.

Nathan Bailey65 said:I wouldn't trade a single second of it... because if I'm destined to go down, I might as well go down in a blaze of glory.

😎

👍 I agree, but if I go down in flames, I’m taking everyone else right along with me.🤣>

northerntiger said:I didn't even suggest that.

Personally, I could never bring myself to kick an animal out onto the street. To me, a pet is a living being that stays the owner's responsibility for its entire life. That’s why I think the whole "impulse buy" culture is such a huge issue—people treat them like they're just some disposable toy. If you're going to give them a great, protected life, you have to see that commitment through until the very end. Plus, not everyone treats their cats like little indoor accessories. Some folks have houses and big backyards where cats can be more "outdoorsy"—they get to roam, hunt, and explore, then just come back inside to eat and sleep.

So our cats 😁

It would be easiest to give up some of the luxuries I treat myself to occasionally right now—maybe a slightly more expensive piece of clothing or a trip here and there.
What would be the absolute last thing I'd give up... I don't know... central heating? 🤷 It isn't something I absolutely couldn't live without—provided the house doesn't have holes 😁, I could just wear more layers or use a wood stove—and ultimately... electricity... if our ancestors managed, we probably could too 🤷 The only things you can't give up are food and water; everything else is negotiable. It's just that we've become so accustomed to all the conveniences of our era that the transition would be difficult.

Brandon Ramirez said:I’m not entirely sure which sub-forum this belongs in—mods, please feel free to move this if I’ve got the wrong spot. Thanks. 🙂

The current global crisis has been weighing on my mind lately. So many people are losing their jobs, facing eviction, drowning in unpaid bills, and even having to give up long-time pets just to get by. The stress and pressure are just relentless...
I honestly have so much respect for individuals who can handle these kinds of life-altering setbacks and still find a way to navigate a completely new reality.
I'm curious—how would you all handle a situation like this?
Would you turn to illegal work, try making and selling something, liquidate everything you own, or focus on protecting your kids, pets, or whatever else matters most?
What would be the absolute last thing you'd ever give up—the one thing you'd hold onto even if you were living on nothing but bread and water?

For me, giving up my pets would be the hardest part; I'd rather go hungry than see them suffer. But honestly, losing my phone would also hit me incredibly hard—I'm a total addict when it comes to the internet and staying connected with people. It sounds silly to some, I know, but I don't think I could handle that level of isolation on top of everything else. You need some kind of outlet to stay sane, right?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
🙂

A phone is the most expensive thing you own when you're unemployed. Believe me, it's a total money pit. When you've got a job, you don't even notice it. But when every single dollar counts, it becomes an insulting burden. That's why mobile carriers have such garbage terms; people are getting more hesitant to sign up for plans that bleed them dry. It's why you can't find a decent data plan anywhere. It's either a subscription with pathetic amounts of data (so you can just go play Mafia Wars on Facebook), or some outrageously overpriced prepaid deal.
Luckily, when things go south, I don't have to give up walking or being out in nature, and if I've invested in a solid, reliable computer that won't die on me when I need it most, I still have that. I can work, I can create, or if it's a laptop, I can sit somewhere with free Wi-Fi (like a public library) or edit photos from my hikes. A computer is the absolute last thing I'd ever give up.
Phones are designed specifically to pick your pocket. Almost everything you do on one is a service you're paying for. Those services aren't a big deal when you're working, but they become insanely expensive when you're living off $133 in unemployment benefits, or even less than that.

Nathan Bailey65 said:I wouldn't trade a single second of it... because if I'm destined to go down, I might as well go down in a blaze of glory.

😎

That's not actually a bad way to look at it. The problem is I've been through a few phases where I truly hit rock bottom. Back then, I used to think some force would always swoop in and save me at the last second, or that there was always a little more depth left to fall into.
Unfortunately, I hit the concrete hard and fast, and nothing softened the blow. That's why I try to fly, and when I do fall, I make sure I have a parachute. But during those falls, I learned that people who won't lend you a hand when you're down deserve to have their wings and parachutes clipped once you're back on top. And I do exactly that. That's my outlet. Especially since my faith in all kinds of losers has repeatedly slipped right out from under me.

Internet access. $33 might have been better off just collecting bottles. 😬 That’s like 200 bottles right there, if you can manage to scavenge enough over a weekend when everyone’s out drinking. Especially during the summer months...

Just give everything up and hand it over to the poor; you'll have a hundred times more waiting for you in heaven.