Perhaps the last time where many of us feared going to the hair salon was when we had our first haircut — that was when we were scared of the unknown environment. But these days, the economy affects our everyday lives and the hair salon seems like a frightening place to go to once again — and it’s no longer because of the unknown. It’s because of the well-known reality — the price increase.

The way the economy affects our everyday lives is becoming more evident. Nowadays, many of us can no longer afford the luxuries that were previously necessities. Here’s what the others had to sacrifice because of the recession:

How the Worsening Economy Affects Regular Americans

Thanks to TikTok, we now have another term we can use — “inflation brunette.” Many are saying goodbye to their bleached blonde hair. Because maintaining their golden locks is getting way too expensive to do. (Let’s not get started on how much a bottle of purple conditioner costs!) But even if you can still afford to bleach your hair to look cute, your likelihood of scoring a date is probably less now — because you might encounter an “inflation single.”

Your potential boyfriend or girlfriend may opt to stay single because dates aren’t getting any cheaper. Looking good is already difficult to maintain. But to spend money on fuel and pay for dinner can get too costly to even bother doing. However, hair salon appointments and dinner dates are problems that not everyone can “afford” to worry about. 

Some Americans are now on an “inflation diet.” And it’s not a new weight loss program. The underprivileged now resort to consuming cheaper meals or purchasing unhealthy ingredients — but that’s if they can still afford to. Sometimes, low-income households have to skip meals as there’s nothing left for them to spend on food; this is the reality that many have to deal with — and hunger and starvation can lead to malnourishment.

In a 2021 statistic, it’s found that 33.8 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. And 22 million children in the USA rely on free or cheap lunch meals to get their daily nutritional requirements. However, during the summer, 6 out of 7 (food insecure or poverty-stricken) kids eat less because there are no classes. Therefore, there are no school lunch programs for them.

Keeping Up With the Recession

The economic crisis is becoming more evident now — even to those who can previously bleach their hair, go on dates, and do other “basic” and everyday things. But giving your locks a break can actually do you good. If you survived the pandemic-bad-haircut, your natural hair color should be much more bearable to look at compared to that.

The person you’re eyeing on? You can try going for a picnic at the park instead with your home-cooked meals. Your dishes may be more impressive than the fancy dinner you’re forcing yourself to pay for.

The 6-pack beer may have to be left untouched at the liquor store for a while — don’t let the Super Bowl tempt you. If you can be “inflation sober,” try being that for now.

If you haven’t quit smoking yet, know that a pack of cigarettes or vape pods aren’t going to get cheaper either. If nicotine patches and gums didn’t get you to quit, maybe the recession can get you to consider becoming an “inflation non-smoker.”

California already has way too many amazing places to visit — traveling far probably isn’t the best option during this time. Opt to be an “inflation staycationer” for now. If you can resist Las Vegas this year, you might as well do it. But if you really have to fly somewhere, you can perhaps ask close friends, family members, or relatives if you can crash at their place for a few nights.

There are far too many ways to live a more cost-effective lifestyle and most of the time, the “difficult” sacrifices you think you’re making are probably not even not harmful to you — and they’re definitely not as harmful to your health compared to those who are forced to be on an “inflation diet.”

Analysis

Blondes had more fun — but only while it lasted. The “inflation brunettes” now have to give up their bleached hair. The recession is clearly forcing people to make changes in their lifestyle. However, most of these lifestyle changes consist of sacrificing luxuries. The underprivileged ones, however, have to sacrifice their basic needs in order to keep up with the inflation — the economy affects our everyday lives but not as much as it affects the “inflation dieters.”

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.