Surviving The Storm 3/15/25

One of the more annoying things about "how to survive a recession" advice is that it is aimed at people who are already financially stable.  The statement "build up an emergency fund that will support you for 3-6 months" is not something that the clerk working at Target can do.  

This is a collection of community suggestions from people who have been at that level of "living paycheck to paycheck" can do to survive hard times.:

• Libraries -- a first line of defense.  Free Internet access, lots of useful resources and advice. 
• Sell unneeded stuff on EBay or at a garage sale (check local regulations on garage sales first.)  You can also do this at local flea markets.
• See which services you can do for yourself -- haircuts, nails, lawn mowing, etc.
• Pay off your credit cards as quickly as you can.  If you have a credit card, check to see if you can get a better rate somewhere else and transfer the balance.
• Learn to fix stuff... your own stuff, someone else's stuff.  Computers, bikes, clothing, whatever.   And if you need tools or someone to fix something, there's probably a Makerspace nearby that can put you in touch.
• Local Makerspaces are places where you can rent specialized tools (like resin printers) for special projects.
• Get in contact with a community garden. (if you're really into gardening and organized, you can start one but most folks aren't into that.)  See if you can trade labor for produce.
• If you're into gardening, seeds can sometimes be purchased with SNAP benefits.
• Check to see if there are any co-ops in your area.  Ones like this one (https://cooperationjackson.org/) can offer great resources.
• See if there's a "Freedge" in your area: https://freedge.org/freedge-yourself/
• When you can, buy "bulk" 
• Find out where recyclers in your area who buy metal are located.  You won't get rich from selling metal scrap and aluminum cans, but it can help supplement income.
• Apply for TANF and food stamps (if you’re income qualified).
• If you have the time, cook larger meals and then freeze portions for easy later meals.
• Explore Buy Nothing and Freecycle groups (Facebook has a lot of them; any search engine will give you a list of them.  
• Take advantage of/ask for discounts if they apply (senior discounts, military veterans, etc.) -- use your computer to find places that offer these discounts.
• Learn where free/low cost medical clinics are in your area
• Write out that budget.  Even if you have to break the rules because of circumstances, write it out anyway.
• Decide what a possible future big expense is and have a plan to start saving for it.
• Try thrift shops instead of regular stores for household items and clothing.
• Start creating mutual-need networks, if you can. Try to join or create groups that help each other. That is MUCH harder than it sounds. Everyone is happy to receive help; few are willing to give help.
• Make sure you're getting community news from someplace -- communities have events like free health screenings and low-cost spay and neuter clinics for animals.