The Taste of an Economic Downturn

[freedomgo]

I want to believe that everyone is affected either directly or indirectly by the present global economic downturn. It is even worse for people in developing nations because. Over the past 2 years people in my country have experienced the highest inflation rate since the history of the nation. Prices of common commodities have increased more than 4 times. The most painful part of it is that we are powerless, complaining or ranting on social media is  little help. I do not angry or surprised any more because I already expect the price of the item to add a few cents the next time I visit the corner shop.

I think there’s no reason now to expect that these basic commodities will more likely to decrease their prices since the inflation gets even worser, considering even a piece of onion in our country is now very costly. So everyone is certainly affected right now, except for those who are living in golden spoon and that they won’t even notice if prices have increased or decreased in time. But I think the people who are deeply affected right now are those living in poverty, they will surely become poorer and poorer this time.

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[Smartvirus]

I wonder how ordinary people around the world felt the worsening economic situation in their respective countries. I know that although many are very much aware of the soaring inflation, nothing has changed much in their day to day lives. I can observe that in some families. They seem oblivious of how the prices of basic goods and services are rising in double digits.

From my household, however, we can literally taste the economic downturn

Through all these, most of the people I pity themost is the low income earners and those with zero products to offer, its sad most for these persons.
In life, one of the worst feelings of all, is identifying a bad situation, wishing for a change, wanting to do something about it but still completely helpless about it. You just can't do nothing to help the situation and that's sick.

For those that are selling some products or even in the agro business, its more of a transfer of these price increase to tackle the inflation on the products they buy for there daily use as well. Its just annoying, knowing that, you actually bought a product for 3x less and now, you just have to put up with an outrageous price. It's a time for the strong, really!

[bitgov]

The chairperson of the senate committee on agriculture just brushed the issue off saying she can live without onions. This is the same old woman who just encouraged people to reduce their consumption on rice when its price soared intolerably high.

Such people have no sympathy for other people, and that is why her statements should be well remembered and everything should be done so that in the next elections she and her party get as few votes as possible. However, I hope that people will still learn from everything and realize how important self-sufficiency is, so even though it is unrealistic to expect that anyone can be 100% self-sufficient, anyone who has a little land can produce vegetables such as onions, potatoes, lettuce, carrots and parsley and many other cultures that do not require any special knowledge or too much effort.

we have such politicians in our government too. Who insist on reducing tea or coffee to save economy
you are right these people have no sympathy for the poor people or they are so used to all these issues that they don't care much.

[Theones]

So far I haven't felt anything significant from price changes, from staples or anything else, because maybe in my country inflation is measured at 5% so I don't feel like I have to spend any more money for basic kitchen needs like the price of shallots which are still $ 2.8/kg and Onion (large) $1.7/kg, so I think in my country it's still pretty stable in terms of price, but what's more difficult is the increase in the price of vehicle fuel and cooking oil. In my country, the increase of these two commodities is more pronounced which is also a need that is considered basic for food activities and serving. the rest are still relatively stable in terms of price.

Which country you live in. You are one lucky person!
In our country onion and wheat is not even available at the mentioned price. And the basic kitchen items are not affordable to the poor people.

[RockBell]

The world's economy is currently in trouble, and the world's mercies are currently in difficulty,  Things are getting more expensive and difficult for average people to meet up with, for example, food prices have risen above expectations, and onions in your country been $12.57 per kilo, which is shocking because, in my region onion is as low as 0.15 dollars, seen the price of onion in your country is not funny at all. Country life is also getting more difficult than it was for those of us who were born in Africa.

[bitgolden]

The world's economy is currently in trouble, and the world's mercies are currently in difficulty,  Things are getting more expensive and difficult for average people to meet up with, for example, food prices have risen above expectations, and onions in your country been $12.57 per kilo, which is shocking because, in my region onion is as low as 0.15 dollars, seen the price of onion in your country is not funny at all. Country life is also getting more difficult than it was for those of us who were born in Africa.

There is a cultural difference as well, some nations harvest some things a lot more while the others not so much, and it all depends on the farming land availability as well. For example, food prices has always been quite high in Japan because they don't have much land, whereas it has been pretty cheap in China for decades now, even though they had some man made famine issue, because they have land.

Moreover, it also depends on food prices vs cultural differences, like apples could be cheap and onions could be expensive in nation A, whereas apples could be expensive and onions cheap in Nation B, that's all depending on what that nation likes to consume more.

[molsewid]

I wonder how ordinary people around the world felt the worsening economic situation in their respective countries. I know that although many are very much aware of the soaring inflation, nothing has changed much in their day to day lives. I can observe that in some families. They seem oblivious of how the prices of basic goods and services are rising in double digits.

From my household, however, we can literally taste the economic downturn. It feels odd and sad that we have to sacrifice taste in order to somehow cushion the impact of the economic problems my country is facing. Onion here is already hitting $12.57 a kilo. Depending on the size, that's about $0.63 apiece. Cooking an ordinary dish for a small family requires a bulb or two. During this holiday season especially, we normally need tens of onions. That's not affordable anymore. So we had to greatly reduce the use of onions and try not to care about how the dish would turn out. On ordinary days, onions are even removed from the ingredients.

I had to share this here because it feels like the economic situation has already affected the most basic need of everybody. It seems insignificant because it's only a spice, but I thought that if the economic situation is already affecting everybody's taste buds, it could mean things are getting pretty serious.

I wonder, especially in other countries, how drastic is the change in your daily life that's brought about by this economic downturn?

I feel you, we're in the same country I think. I'm currently employed in a company that pays good but then things happen, inflation really hits me. Right now, I need to find other jobs, having this full time job is not enough for me, I'm a breadwinner and the price of the goods in here is too much for me, I need to do more budgeting so I can feed my family. Healthy foods are more expensive in here, many people took advantage on it they hoard and sell it to higher prices. It is really painful to have this kind of inflation.

[Yatsan]

The world's economy is currently in trouble, and the world's mercies are currently in difficulty,  Things are getting more expensive and difficult for average people to meet up with, for example, food prices have risen above expectations, and onions in your country been $12.57 per kilo, which is shocking because, in my region onion is as low as 0.15 dollars, seen the price of onion in your country is not funny at all. Country life is also getting more difficult than it was for those of us who were born in Africa.

The only way to cope up with the increase on the price of marketable goods is to also put an increase with the minimum salary of the employees. Unfortunately, not all economies cannot do such thing which causes sufferings to average households. Corruption is a different thing but for sure related to this issue. Many governments has the capability to aid the situation but are closing their eyes and are just putting people's money on their pockets. In terms of private companies, they are mostly seeking just to be rich without checking on people who made them one. Third world countries are the ones whoch suffers the most. I'm aware of the existence of such problem for years but nowadays is definitely worse.

[Russlenat]

The world's economy is currently in trouble, and the world's mercies are currently in difficulty,  Things are getting more expensive and difficult for average people to meet up with, for example, food prices have risen above expectations, and onions in your country been $12.57 per kilo, which is shocking because, in my region onion is as low as 0.15 dollars, seen the price of onion in your country is not funny at all. Country life is also getting more difficult than it was for those of us who were born in Africa.

That is the worst result of inflation these days, seeing average people hardly meet their basic needs and end up adding in poverty line. Even rich people I guess are also seeing these differences now, but for sure they won’t care at all as long as they don’t feel the inflation that much. Although I would say I don’t belong to the poorest of the poor, but I have felt living life this time and it’s survival is so hard for us, can’t imagine how those poorest people are coping up with this situation.

[Bttzed03]

~
However, self-sufficiency can't be achieved overnight.

Indeed! The intention is really good but the implementation was too soon. Unfortunately, we (the regular consumers) had to pay the price for that huge blunder.

[Roggeredek]

The economic recession is making the situation of the country worse and it is very difficult to get out of here. Not only food but every facility is becoming difficult to get along with rising fuel and food prices, the supply chain is being disrupted. Naturally, there is a negative impact on the economy many people have to struggle to manage the responsibilities of the whole family while maintaining the income expenditure balance with the price of goods skyrocketing. And in terms of reducing the family's expenses, women have always played that familiar role.

[inthelongrun]

What do we expect from a corrupt system? I am not bashing the president, I know the guy won by a landslide and he might want to improve the nation. But the whole system run by politicians and government officials, in general, is rigged and corruption is too rampant from the top down to the lowest position. Laws are not for the masses but for the rich and giant corporations who's been paying and sponsoring these government officials.

Regarding the basic commodities in the country, hoarding is rampant. Exploitations of farmers are rampant. Many times the government noticed these over the years yet I never heard of people being arrested.

[justdimin]

What do we expect from a corrupt system? I am not bashing the president, I know the guy won by a landslide and he might want to improve the nation. But the whole system run by politicians and government officials, in general, is rigged and corruption is too rampant from the top down to the lowest position. Laws are not for the masses but for the rich and giant corporations who's been paying and sponsoring these government officials.

Regarding the basic commodities in the country, hoarding is rampant. Exploitations of farmers are rampant. Many times the government noticed these over the years yet I never heard of people being arrested.

Corruption in politics exists because corrupted politicians have a higher chance to win. That's the trouble, if you build a great grassroots campaign and win that's one thing but it's very very rare and usually doesn't happen. Whereas, if we are talking about corrupted politicians, they would do whatever in their power, even illegal stuff, just so they could keep their power and that means they have a lot more chances to be elected, because if you fight fairly then you will lose.

Just imagine a boxing match where one boxer fights fairly, and the other has a knife, how fair is that? Sure here and there the fair one will win, but the one with the knife has a much better chance isn't it? That's the situation.

[Darker45]

~snip~

~snip~

If you are living in a country where the soil is not barren and does not have winter like Thailand, you're all gonna be fine compared to those people who will have to keep storing supplies for winter. The worst-case scenario for us during this economic recession is that you end up being homeless which many have been there already. Today we may struggle to pay our bills or to afford basic necessities like mentioned Onions.

Although there is considered a winter in Thailand from around November to February, it isn't really the winter that many people might thought. Thailand has a tropical climate in general. Even during the so-called winter season, the temperature is pretty warm. People don't have to hoard for the winter.

Here in my country, people don't have to hoard as well. There is no winter. But there are a lot of greedy businessmen who want to manipulate the supply and, therefore, the price and earn big. The main intention for hoarding is to cause a fake shortage.

~snip~

Through all these, most of the people I pity themost is the low income earners and those with zero products to offer, its sad most for these persons.
In life, one of the worst feelings of all, is identifying a bad situation, wishing for a change, wanting to do something about it but still completely helpless about it. You just can't do nothing to help the situation and that's sick.

Unfortunately, half of the entire working force here in the country, if I'm not mistaken, are wage earners. So, they can only suffer in silence and try to look for additional sources of income.

~
However, self-sufficiency can't be achieved overnight.

Indeed! The intention is really good but the implementation was too soon. Unfortunately, we (the regular consumers) had to pay the price for that huge blunder.

What's even funny is that they have decided to import now, just when the local producers are about to fill the markets with supply. And now these farmers are saying no to imported onions.

The government was adamant not to import in October and November because the local harvest season for onions would commence at around mid-December. That strategy failed and the price shot up beyond $13 a kilo in some market. And now that the harvest is happening, the government decided to import because the price has already reached so high.

I really don't understand what's happening.

[Silberman]

What do we expect from a corrupt system? I am not bashing the president, I know the guy won by a landslide and he might want to improve the nation. But the whole system run by politicians and government officials, in general, is rigged and corruption is too rampant from the top down to the lowest position. Laws are not for the masses but for the rich and giant corporations who's been paying and sponsoring these government officials.

Regarding the basic commodities in the country, hoarding is rampant. Exploitations of farmers are rampant. Many times the government noticed these over the years yet I never heard of people being arrested.

Corruption in politics exists because corrupted politicians have a higher chance to win. That's the trouble, if you build a great grassroots campaign and win that's one thing but it's very very rare and usually doesn't happen. Whereas, if we are talking about corrupted politicians, they would do whatever in their power, even illegal stuff, just so they could keep their power and that means they have a lot more chances to be elected, because if you fight fairly then you will lose.

Just imagine a boxing match where one boxer fights fairly, and the other has a knife, how fair is that? Sure here and there the fair one will win, but the one with the knife has a much better chance isn't it? That's the situation.

Nice analogy, corrupt politicians do not even have to go through the trouble of giving themselves an unfair advantage, as long as they are twisting their rules not only for themselves but for other people as well you can be sure there are going to be many people that will want to keep them in power, just look at what happened during the pandemic, big companies like Amazon made a fortune while small business disappeared, which in return it has allowed many of those companies to become monopolies or at least they are close to reach that status so no one can compete with them, and what are politicians doing about this? Nothing, and this causes the price of everything to go up to the point that something as basic as an onion is not affordable anymore.

[Bttzed03]

~
However, self-sufficiency can't be achieved overnight.

Indeed! The intention is really good but the implementation was too soon. Unfortunately, we (the regular consumers) had to pay the price for that huge blunder.

What's even funny is that they have decided to import now, just when the local producers are about to fill the markets with supply. And now these farmers are saying no to imported onions.

The government was adamant not to import in October and November because the local harvest season for onions would commence at around mid-December. That strategy failed and the price shot up beyond $13 a kilo in some market. And now that the harvest is happening, the government decided to import because the price has already reached so high.

Yeah I read that a few hours ago. Although the timing is late, at least the Government is coming up with a solution to bring down prices helping the local consumers while still trying to protect the farmers (the volume of the importation was reduced). Now, I'm interested to see the steps they will take against hoarders and smugglers.

I really don't understand what's happening.

I'd like to take this positively and see this as correcting their mistakes. The price shouldn't have reached that high but what's done is done and we can only hope to to see more improvements in economic policies that balances out the interest of all parties involved.

[davis196]

Onion here is already hitting $12.57 a kilo. Depending on the size, that's about $0.63 apiece.

Onion is one of the cheapest vegetables. I wonder where do you live. I'm glad that I can grow onion in my own garden, so I don't have to buy it, but it's relatively cheap in the vegetable markets in my town.
The basic foods inflation in my country is 52% and the costs for heating had increased by 40%. The overall statistics show that the average inflation in my country is around 18%, but I just don't trust any statistics anymore. It sucks to live in times of high inflation, but the older generations in my country had lived in times of hyperinflation, so there's no point of bitching and complaining.

[Inwestour]

Onion is one of the cheapest vegetables. I wonder where do you live. I'm glad that I can grow onion in my own garden, so I don't have to buy it, but it's relatively cheap in the vegetable markets in my town.
The basic foods inflation in my country is 52% and the costs for heating had increased by 40%. The overall statistics show that the average inflation in my country is around 18%, but I just don't trust any statistics anymore. It sucks to live in times of high inflation, but the older generations in my country had lived in times of hyperinflation, so there's no point of bitching and complaining.

Real inflation is always higher than it seems for statistics, prices are rising for everything, for food, for utilities, for essential goods. But even though times are difficult now, it is still much easier for us than it was for our grandparents during the crisis. We will be able to survive this, the world has become more civilized, if necessary, there are social services that can help the poorest segments of the population.

Also, inflation will not grow constantly, this is a temporary phenomenon during the crisis, after which the level of people's income will also increase, according to indexation. Everything repeats itself, people have already gone through similar cycles many times, but still have not found a way out of how this can be avoided.

[YOSHIE]

I wonder, especially in other countries, how drastic is the change in your daily life that's brought about by this economic downturn?

The impact of the economic crisis was felt a few years ago, but what is worse is felt these two years and entering 2023, the effect is very extraordinary on the surge, such as secondary and primary needs in general and as a whole, starting from electricity, oil, rice and so on, before we had $100 to shop at the market get at least 10 kinds of necessities, now with $100 we can only buy one plastic bag of staples, the ratio changes 100°c.

But from my observation and I see that people who live in rural areas feel lucky, their situation is not felt with the current bad economy, they can still enjoy the necessities of life with only $ 10, it's extraordinary, That's because from year to year they only save gold and grow vegetables, fish in the lake, many of them are currently living a normal life without any impact on the bad world economy, those who live in cities are like hot worms.

[bestcoins1]

The economic recession is making the situation of the country worse and it is very difficult to get out of here. Not only food but every facility is becoming difficult to get along with rising fuel and food prices, the supply chain is being disrupted. Naturally, there is a negative impact on the economy many people have to struggle to manage the responsibilities of the whole family while maintaining the income expenditure balance with the price of goods skyrocketing. And in terms of reducing the family's expenses, women have always played that familiar role.

Why do you think women are very familiar in playing the role of spending in the family or life? I even very rarely find women who can save money at this time in my environment now. And even every expense is always well managed by her own husband. This means that it is not only about gender that can play an important role in saving for their own family, but it really depends on each individual who wants to save money in difficult conditions.