General Discussion

so this is no change for me. As a trained artist and teacher there have been too many part time jobs my entire life due to poor health and not having a spouse or employer or veteran to help me out. Living on my own, making min wage, terrified of being laid off, retraining, re retraining made me financially on the edge my entire life.

I never, ever eat out, even fast food
I never buy cell phones or tech stuff
I have always cut my own hair
The last vacation was in 2005
I buy food that is "expired"
I cook, clean and do everything on my own.
My last new car was 2010
My appliances and household items are 20-30 years old
I do ALL of my own maintenance
I live in a 500 sq ft apt.
I live in expensive San Diego
I live at poverty level despite 2 degrees (education and art)
The last time I flew on a plane was 2012, to my grandmom's 100th birthday
I NEVER have had a manicure
I NEVER can afford a cab or Uber
I have not been to a concert in 15 years
I have not gone to a movie in 9 years

What do I spend my disability pension on?
Food (only bought on sale, no name brands and I cook EVERYTHING at home from scratch).
Utilities
Rent
Insurance
Medical expenses and pharmaceuticals
And only a tiny amount on gas since I do not drive anywhere. I was raised to live within my means. My sister and I did all the cleaning, washing, dishes, yard work, etc and we got 50 cents allowance and had to buy our clothes, gifts for others' holidays, we never ate out, we never had new cars, I never had money to go out with friends, .... My parents were extreme in how cheap they were but it trained me to live cheaply as an adult. If I ever asked my parents for a dime I would have been spanked. I learned by the age of 4 that this was the system. I never asked to have money to go out with friends, or for new school clothes or even school supplies since I would get a spanking instead of a quarter.

Not many people understand how living this way for 62 years has deeply affected my perspective about living within your means and having no debt compared to the average American. I have the feeling that a lot of people are going to be forced to live like I have lived my entire life. With the tariffs, etc many people will be in for a shock and will find it difficult adapting. People, even when they have a ton of debt still live beyond their means. I have no pity for these fools. I'm used to not buying anything that is "new" or out of my means, most Americans are not. They are in for a tough, quick lesson in home economics. Perhaps I live like people lived during the Great Depression but it works and soon others will be joining my club. I just don't want to hear all the whining. Tough shit! They've lived their lives well, at least better than I have. Yet, they have massive debt. Whose fault is that? Live within your means Americans!!!!!!!!!