How to Deal With the World’s Inflation Crisis

[ManOnFire]

So I know a lot of people are concerned about the state of the world and our own United States right now. Which is understandable. But none of us are dead in the water yet, even if it might look like it or even if the news scares you. If you’re not worried, that is excellent. For others out there who are easily moved by what they’re seeing or hearing: don't panic. It’s not a great situation right now, and we’re all concerned to some degree about everything happening, but you gotta stay calm.

The media and the men in power are not your friends

One thing you have to keep in mind is that through all this inflation and fears of recession, neither the media, the Federal Reserve, or the government are your friends. And none of them really care about you or me. What they do love though is that you are panicked about things. Especially the media.

Whether people want to believe it or not, our media preys on the public’s concerns and consumer worries. They pretend to understand our pain, but are also driving an agenda of fear. When Americans are afraid they will start buying more out of panic, that's one of our society's biggest flaws. They did it when the Colonial gas line was hacked last summer. Driving panic and fear makes the corporations richer. It also is used by people in high positions as a distraction from the things they’re really doing.

The media loves talking more about the bad than the good, because they know that psychologically the human mind - which is our flaw - is impacted by and gravitates more towards bad news, and because it gives them an audience. I’ve even stopped checking the morning news reports on the stock market and gas prices because for one, everyone is talking too much about things even they don’t fully know about and can’t really predict, so reporters are nervous and jump to any story they get, and two, because when you do hear some good news, you’re still met by the negative headlines like “Gas prices are falling, but don’t expect it to last,” "Why lowering gas prices isn't that simple," or “Dow jumps 100 points, but recession fears still loom.” It’s basically the media wanting to control our emotions and the way we think.

Am I saying that inflation, gas prices, or a recession fear are invalid, ridiculous, or not something to be worried about? Not at all. They are very, very possible and something we should keep our eyes on and be concerned about, but at the same time we can’t allow ourselves to panic and become too pessimistic. All kinds of crazy and unusual things are happening this year to all of us, and around the world. But you can’t lose hope and can’t become depressed or frightened by bad news and bad situations.

How to survive

None of us can control Wall Street, the housing market, gas corporations, the job market, or inflation. But we can control how it will affect us. And the way to do that is the age old trick that never fails: watch your money, save your money. It sounds like a broken record, but it really is the answer to survival. But believe it or not there is an enormous number of people who are not disciplined about this and some who’ve even admitted to me that they don’t save money and don’t know how to. A lot of people also have bad habits with their credit cards, and get themselves into harder situations. And still others have the attitude that they’ll worry about taking a hit later - “cross that bridge when I get there” - instead of taking steps at present to prepare for any later hits.

Strategies like shopping at lower cost stores, buying in bulk at Costco, skipping take-out more, downgrading your Internet service to lower mbps so your bill will be lower, are all great especially if you are a person who really does not have a lot of wiggle room for much more than what your income or circumstances will allow, but putting money aside is still just as powerful and effective. Even if all you save is $10 or $25 a week, that is a big help that you might not think means anything right now but 5 months down the road that $200 or $500 you saved on the side helps you pay an electric bill, buy food and baby formula, or might even help you get your car fixed in an unexpected break down. Plan for the future. Too many Americans live for the present pleasures but are not financially wise. Anything can happen in life at any time, and you need to be prepared for it as much as possible.

So take that $10 or $25 and put it in your little safe at home or in a savings account. Don’t leave it as extra in your main account, doing that will just make you think you have some dollars to spend. Be disciplined and put it somewhere else, and don’t even look at it or think about it. Hell, if you can save even more than $10 or $25 a week then do so. But the point is at the end of the day, if the economy goes flat and a recession hits, you have something of your own to fall back on instead of depending on other people, the government, or your retirement to help you out.

Things really can be worse

Here in America we know what we’re dealing with, with our own inflation, gas prices, second bad president, and the housing crisis, but we have to remember that what we’re going through literally is a walk in the park compared to the hellacious situations in Ukraine, Sri Lanka’s complete bankruptcy and crippled society at the moment, and the enormously unusual heatwaves across Europe as well as their own dead heat oil situation with Putin.

Sri Lankan protesters just 3 days ago.

America’s hurt is bad, and many are feeling it, but we have to remember that we’re still doing a lot better than other societies around the world right now. I’m not saying we can’t complain, but we do need to remember that it can be a hell of a lot worse. We still have food and clean water, we still have a job, we can still drive around, and we can still eat out. So in the midst of inflation or “recession fears,” think about how fortunate we still are. But also be wise about how to survive it as well.

Namaste, and good luck.

#inflation

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Don't trust the stock market at large.

If you want, invest in European or Japanese or Canadian exchanges. Do not invest in the TSX. It is heavily overvalued and will be crashing in global proportions.

And honestly? As much as I've loved, have done, and continue to do, I don't think saving and investing in ETFs and such is going to be feasible for long term weathering of a global collapse.

Stocks didn't help in '08. This upcoming crash is '08 on stereoids and hitting everything from crypto to housing to stock assets. Nothing is safe.

Capitalism is built to benefit the top 1%. It is built to extricate value from the 99% during a bust (during which time often the 1% gains assets equal or eclipsing what the 99% has lost - see COVIDs $3T wealth transfer from the poor to the rich), and hardly touches the ultra rich.

The fundamentals are good, but the problem is you're working off knowledge of capitalism pre-late stage.

At this point in American Capitalism, there's no way anyone not already born into money is making it to retirement. Well, okay, there's maybe a few very unlikely ways (lotto, the slim chance your idea makes it big, inheritance, etc).

But most financial knowledge our parents and parents' parents operated on is built for a time that is dead and gone.

Buy heavy metals, grow your own food, use public transit, live as cheaply as you can and do what you can to be self-reliant.

Barring revolution against the rich, it's the only way to sustainabily survive. Capitalism leaves no room for healthy lifestyles.

[ManOnFire]

I don't buy into all that NFT and EFT stuff either. Or crypto. I have Dogecoin but it isn't going anywhere.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

You got played by Elon Musk. Dogecoin was a classic rug pull.

The US financial industry has so fucked up how their own markets work, it's no wonder JPow needs to print 80% of all USD in circulation since the start of 2020.

Unfortunately, because of American Imperialism, there's nowhere on the globe that will be unaffected by just how much risk they've taken on.

[lightbulb27]

what do you mean by heavy metals?

[Emiliamazing]

Thanks for taking the time to write this thought provoking piece.

[love_conquers_lust]

Saving money stagnates the economy. Spending is what needs to be done. But we need money to spend. The issue is self worth. The people you’re talking about need a reminder that they’re not as hot shit as they think they are.

I think better advice is, ask for a raise. Look for another job. TELL YOUR EMPLOYER that you have to look for another job if he can’t gove you a raise. Tell your direct report they should ask for a raise too. They’re front line supervisors stressed out with cross training and remote work trying to keep gears turning. Sooner or later, the shareholders will have to get the message. They’re going to have a hard time dumping their shares if no one wants to buy them because word gets out their employees hate the company.

[dragoblack]

I mean... that's what i have been doing for years, since i live poverty income and have to save for what i want...

[ManOnFire]

And so you're still making it.

[dragoblack]

Being kind of a hermit really helps. Not constantly spending money of fast food, impulse buys, gas, travel money,... etc. really saves a lot... that and not spending money on subscriptions.

[ManOnFire]

Exactly.

[Middleman]

Here are some of my tips:

1. Pay off that credit card and stick to a monthly fixed budget. If you have multiple cards, pay minimum on the largest owing card you have and with the extra amount available move it to the smallest owing card but pay more than minimum. Repeat the process every month until it is paid off then do the same on the next highest card.

2. Drive a smaller less gas guzzling car/truck

3). Buy foods in bulk from places like Costco/Aldi/Lidl ie. canned/packaged foods that can store for long

4. Use or buy a more power efficient computer ie. M1/M2 Macbook Air

5. Buy or save gold coins/bullion

6. Invest into property

7. Install solar panels at home to save on energy costs

8. Shop around. Try to bargain hunt for things you want or usually buy. Delay your purchases if they aren't important and wait for a fairer deal when they do. Amazon sometimes has some incredible one-week off deals on items (for example)

9. Learn a new skill (which may help expand your income)

10. Sell stuff you don't or no longer need

[ManOnFire]

Great points.

[DenizLikesTennis]

We have to be patient as much as possible. The government is on its limit. There is too much to care about so that an international cooperation is needed. But everyone is following their own goals and paths which makes it more difficult.

This crisis and war will take place in the next 4-5 Years until we'll reach a brand new different system. This current system will fall. I see it coming. The USA is slightly losing power than it was used to be. China will take over and all the other Asian countries.

I am not a politican or a high genius but I can state my opinion on subjects whereever I possibly can. This is my assumption

People are electing less and more less. This is a huge sign to watch for. We are all fed up.

The Society is drastically changing towards full freedom. LBGTQ Communities will have more privilege. And when it comes to this, I believe that they are exaggerating. But this is a different topic. We should focus all on ourselves. There is nothing what we as citizens can do right now but to support each other as we possibly can.

Protests are meaningless now. We will face a terrifying (civil) war.

All I can notice is that the current regime is slowly dying.

Have a great day all!

Dennis

[Zeus_66]

You deal with the inflation crisis first by stabilizing any investments you have in the short term. Then keep buying on the way down as the economy continues to tank.

Next, cut back where you can. Remain calm. Keep living the way you have been, just with more mind on rising costs.

After that, you vote leftist politicians out of office in 2022. Ensure the ones you voted in are held accountable and follow through on efforts to resolve the matter, and investigate those who weaponized parts of government in order to attack political opponents.

Moving on, pray for a recession. That's right. You read that correctly. We must go into a recession in order to stave off additional inflation and to prevent stagflation. We need to see this happen within the next six months. Ride this all the way till November, 2024.

Last, come November, 2024, if he's still functioning on his own two feet, send Xiden packing for the nursing home. Time to restore faith in our great institution we call the American government. Only way to do so is getting economy back on track and removing from office leftist lunatics.

[bennies_819]

I have been hearing that if the world population started to be too much for the government they will start to kill people Innocent lies and now Allah has been passed that you can't have abortion which means that the world will be overly populated and they will start to kill people when it happens which is scary to think about and people in the medical field and other important fields are most likely to survive cuz I need those people I am very worried about this and the inflation. But I know God will save all his people from the world of destruction.

[ArtemisSilver]

Once you have a few grand set aside for emergencies you really shouldn't save money during a time of hyperinflation. It's losing between 7-%15 value a year depending on who you ask.

Invest in something that will at least keep you above water.

As for how best to deal with it. Prepare for self sufficiency, regardless of hopeful optimism, there's a high chance that wide scale social collapse is coming within the decade.

[DCooper]

Stockpile ammo ! It holds value better than fiat currencies, or metals or crypto if things really dip.

[TroyDT]

The problem is politicians who authorize the creation of and then require under threat of violence the use of fiat money. They then increase, or inflate, the supply of that money at will, which reduces the value of the "money" each of us already has.

[Surely]

Spend wisely. Conserve when you can. Watch for sales and discounts. Purchase extra when the price is right.

You don’t need the best of everything when less expensive will suffice. Especially those fancy stupidly expensive cell phones 📱

[ManOnFire]

Exactly. It is imperative that Americans learn to have financial self-control and wisdom.

[lightbulb27]

yes. do your best to survive. It's tough for some people on the edge.

The forced change is good. And yes, don't trust government... they are the ones that created the messes.

[invalid1]

Don't deal with it, it's what's supposed to happen. it declares a new era, the USD is supposed to inflate and collapse eventually causing electronic currency to take over..
Just like fossil fuels are expected to increase too high until the industry crashes and clean energy takes over

[ElementoP]

Fuel prices affect the price of everything.
So while Biden sits on his ass and blames Putin and supply chain shortages, he could be getting us back to Trump era energy independence and inflation wouldn't be an issue, like it wasn't before his dumb ass stepped in

[monkeynutts]

Yeah shit is getting scarry, I been reading up about surviving nuclear strikes. Being self sufficient is important. You are right. Wilderness survival is also an important skill. Loads of YouTube videos on that.

[Wade12345]

I know raising interest rates won't stop inflation, that will just drive up the cost of housing, automobiles, and other larger purchases.

[vgmaster9]

Many countries in the world are facing inflation, not just the US. It happened because of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

[ManOnFire]

Yes, that is true. But I can only speak for America.

[Robbey]

Very interesting read. Thanks for writing it.

[boobliker]

we have too many people having too many baby's so something must give, i don't know what will break a bank or two may go bust...

[Craigguy]

How do babies devalue my money?

[Jltakk]

Government intervention is the leading cause of financial strain. Audit the fed and stop printing money and interfering with markets, manually adjusting rates.

[FunkyMonkee]

Very simple; you use the 2nd Amendment to get the tyrants and domestic terrorists out of the white house and let Don go back to continue doing the great work he was doing before Joey cheated and kept him from staying in.

[SamIam96]

Inflation crisis? I've had a 40% increase in my salary over the last 6 months. So yeah, look out, I'm spending like a mad man. If I change jobs, I'll get another 50% bump.

[noohair]

Wealth and money are two different things. Printing money out of thin air, causes inflation.

[ChooChooHaha]

You can eat out still? LUCKY.

I'll be lucky if I'm not homeless in October. Not a joke.

[ManOnFire]

Well, I really hope that doesn't happen.

[ChooChooHaha]

Who doesn't? But nothing's going the way it's supposed to. So...

[ManOnFire]

Life hasn't been perfect for me this year either.

[ChooChooHaha]

Not perfect is the understatement of the fucking millenium in my case.

[ChooChooHaha]

You also still have a job? So lucky.