Wow, the thread really blew up since the last time I opened it yesterday evening. I've read every single one of your replies, but I certainly cannot reply to everyone individually.
I am established. I am middle class. I have fairly good income. I also make some money mining.
But my expenses have really gone up the last 18 months. Along with my mining profits dropping.
What to do?
Change some food habits to save money.
Find a bit more work to make more money.
I am lucky that my wife and I like each other so more time in bedroom for free entertainment is something we can do.
The truth is that there's not much to do. You can't tackle inflation and increasing costs yourself; the only thing you can do is find ways to increase your income and, at the same time, reduce your expenses by avoiding unnecessary expenditures. And honestly, the most valuable activities in life are free.
Actually, I am always in a financial stress, but the stress level is always on different level. Even though I have saved money in bank account and hold crypto. I think I always feel uncomfortable, when when my monthly expenses are higher than monthly salary. Even though my bank account was always a positive number, and it was never a zero, when I moved from parents I was always stressed with tomorrows day. I find myself thinking about if something bad happens, will I have enough money to solve that. And right now, when I am a head of my own family already, the feeling of financial stress is even bigger.
I was, honestly, the exact opposite. I had a relatively cheap house and a steady job—not the highest-paying one—but along with my partner, we earned a decent income, plus signature campaigns to save Bitcoin. I was stress-free regarding money; we'd go on trips by car and vacation once or even twice a year without worrying too much. Now things are completely different, though. These times probably came to an end.
It's one of the things that you really couldn't get away from in my opinion. Try as you might to sweep this one under the rug, it will all be futile cause at the end of the day, you're spending money and you need money for daily sustenance.
If you're living well off, or at least sufficiently earning for yourself with some savings on the side, I suggest you look into a little R&R (rest and relaxation) every now and again. Go to the beach, take your family out to dinner, play sports with friends, do anything that will take the pressure and stress of living in the modern world, and you're sure to be able to deal with the stress brought by the cost of living expenses nowadays.
If you're someone who's not in the position to spend money that willy-nilly, look into other hobbies or interest. Work out, read, distract yourself and arm yourself one way or another. If you let the thoughts brew inside your brain you'd be paralyzed. Do something.
Certainly, my mind keeps racing, and I'm not actually relaxing, even when I'm resting. I can't stop thinking of what we could have done better or what we're going to do in this dire situation of not being able to find proper accommodations. My personal items are scattered along two houses and in my car because I've got nowhere to put them. Not only is this situation frustrating, but it also causes angry outbursts from time to time. It's causing a spiral of bad moods and depression.
The case you are experiencing is very different from our situation where we are not required to serve in the military because the country where I live does not enforce this rule. Usually I tend to spend a limited amount of money according to my needs to fulfill my basic daily needs. Anxiety certainly arises amidst the uncertain economic turmoil that has occurred in recent years because many people have difficulty getting money to spend on their daily needs. The difficulty of finding work has an impact on the fulfillment of life and also conditions due to recession and increasing inflation.
I try to live frugally in conditions like this and spend money according to my needs, because forcing to spend money in inappropriate categories will actually worsen economic conditions. Increasing income is a solution that must be done by adjusting whatever work can be done and if our income is stable then the problem will be resolved slowly even though we cannot solve everything quickly.
The military was the icing on the cake. I spent a year not earning money, and now I've returned to absolute zero. No income, no house. I'm only left with an enormous burden and stress. I'm generally an anxious person and an overthinker, and my mind just doesn't shut down anymore. I keep endlessly thinking, to no avail.
