Gasoline, energy: “everything is expensive today”, myth or reality?

The Pocket Pinch: Is Economic Anxiety Making Us Grumpy?

Everything’s too expensive, isn’t it? Fuel, energy, food, that useless gadget no one really needs – it’s all costing us an arm and a leg. What is this “economic anxiety” doing to society as we know it? Well, spoiler alert: it’s definitely expensive.

Picture this: since 2021, prices have been doing the cha-cha, and not in a good way! Every time we blink, there’s another petrol price hike that leaves us feeling like we must choose between filling up the tank or buying dinner. “But hold on!” you might say to yourself, “not so long ago, gasoline was €2/l, and now it’s just €1.7/l.” Ah, that sounds nice until you realize it still makes you want to sell a kidney every time you pull up to the pump.

Dr. Alexandra Balikdjian, our expert in psychological gymnastics, puts it into perspective: “People’s incomes are like that reliable friend who never shows up on time.” In her words, while we continuously see these price spikes, our salaries remain as stable as a drunk on a unicycle. It’s not surprising we’re all feeling the “I-can’t-afford-this-life-ugh” syndrome, right?

How High is That Base Load? Too High, Apparently!

For almost four years, essential goods have been following the inflation express train to nowhere. And don’t get me started on the so-called “pleasure spending.” At this point, even treating yourself to a takeaway feels like a high-stakes gamble.

Duration plays a role, but so does that omnipresent economic anxiety. Our budgets are now scared stiff with all the essential charges – electricity, gas, all those “necessary” expenses. Dr. Balikdjian hits the nail on the head when she says, “What was stable for years now feels as unpredictable as a cat in a dog park.”

And let’s face it – no one can wave a magic wand and magically solve the economic puzzles of our time. With COVID-19 throwing a wrench in the works, prices are fluctuating like a two-headed coin, leaving consumers with unexpected surprises every month. It’s the kind of chaos that makes you wonder if there’s an alternative universe where everything is free – or at least reasonably priced.

The Mental Toll: More than Just Pennies

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Money can’t buy happiness!” Well, sure – but it can buy comfort. And let’s be honest, comfort is basically happiness with a side of fries. Dr. Balikdjian says there’s a crucial link between our happiness and our ability to consume. When we can’t, our mood often resembles a rainy Monday morning.

This economic anxiety? It’s no joke! It’s as if we constantly feel the need to budget our way through life’s surprises, hoping we can dodge unexpected costs like we’re in some sort of financial ninja game. Spoiler: We’re not winning, folks.

Strategies of Economic Survival: Time to Get Creative!

With all this chaos swirling about, we need to get crafty. “Let’s make some magic!” says Dr. Balikdjian. But in all seriousness, people are genuinely using their ingenuity to find strategies to cope. Need a little discount? Start hunting for those promotion codes like they’re hidden treasures!

People are strategizing over their shopping like it’s a national sport. But constantly strategizing increases that mental load. That’s like carrying a giant backpack while trying to hike uphill – exhausting!

And to wrap it up, this economic anxiety is affecting everyone. What used to be a privilege of the less fortunate has spread like a bad rumor into the middle-class neighborhood. Even the wealthy aren’t immune; they’re just worrying about slightly different numbers in their bank accounts.

The Final Word: Breathe!

So what’s the takeaway? While we all navigate this wild economic rollercoaster, let’s try to balance our budgets without plummeting into despair. Money may not buy happiness, but a little creativity, community, and a good laugh can go a long way in easing the squeeze on our wallets and our minds.

Stay strong, everyone! And remember, if life gives you lemons, make a really extravagant lemonade stand – just ensure it’s in a prime location for maximum profit!

We always have the impression that everything is too expensive: fuel, energy, food, leisure, etc. What impact does this “economic anxiety” have on us? (Spoiler alert: yes, it’s expensive)

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Since 2021, we have seen price increases in many areas, especially when it comes to energy. A few days ago, the announcement of the rise in fuel prices revived an already present feeling that everything is too expensive. “We must not forget that some time ago, gasoline was at €2/l, and currently at €1.7/l, so we are seeing a decrease.”analyzes Alexandra Balikdjian, doctor of psychology and consultant in consumer psychology. “But the perception remains somewhat the same. People are having more and more difficulty making ends meet, and we are constantly drawing their attention to the cost of living.”

These price fluctuations can impact us, especially through our outlook on life. “Obviously when we look at inflation etc., we can question ourselves, but in any case, in the perception of consumers’ daily lives there are difficulties and we say to ourselves ‘I would like to buy that, but I can’t necessarily. » And that’s above all, this frustration of saying that we are in a society where we give a lot of images to think about in terms of consumption, and on the other hand incomes are relatively stable, salaries are not increasing. not necessarily. With the addition of a climate that still remains very anxiety-provoking. I believe that we thought that we were going to emerge from this global economic anxiety much more quickly than is actually the case..”

Base loads too high

For almost 4 years, the prices of certain essential goods and services have continued to increase, as have “pleasure spending”. The cases of energy and fuel prices are particularly impressive. “Duration plays a role, but above all this permanent economic anxiety. The costs of living overall, even in terms of charges (electricity, gas, etc.) have become very important in the overall budget of citizens. We tell ourselves that this is the minimum that we will have to be able to assume. Alongside this, there is a whole series of uncertainties, for example the ability to keep one’s job, respond to crises, etc. It’s as if all of a sudden, what had been stable for years becomes much less so in the eyes of a certain segment of the population..”

Not to mention that it is obviously impossible for an individual to solve a structural problem. “Concomitantly with Covid, there was this price explosion and this was very difficult for consumers to act on. That is to say that prices increased and if we did not have a fixed rate, we saw an invoice that was unpredictable and unactionable. We cannot stop consuming. We can change our consumption pattern, regulate it, but not stop consuming these elements.“

A phenomenon which is not without consequences on our mental health. “It’s as if we were suddenly saying that we must always plan for costs, which are not predictable. There are always unpleasant surprises that can appear: if you have not revised a subscription, blocked a rate, etc. It’s a lot of uncertainty, weighing on people’s daily lives..”

And even if it is said that money does not buy happiness, many will add that it contributes to it. “It’s a level of confidence and carefreeness. We can be very happy without anything in terms of consumption, but we know that there is still a link between people’s happiness and their ability to consume, to a certain point.“, analyzed Alexandra Balikdjian.

Economic strategies

With all these changes and galloping inflation in recent years, we have to adapt, at least a significant part of the population. “We have to find strategies, and it’s quite magical in my eyes. People are full of invention, ingenuity to find tips and become more and more informed consumers. This gives great perspectives. For example, people will play on promotions, economic opportunities, etc. All this means that we become more and more strategic, but it constantly leads us to have to rethink our consumption, and this increases people’s mental load..”

Result: daily worry that affects an ever-increasing portion of the population. “This economic anxiety is found in different classes. Before, we could say that these were really the most precarious people, but today we see that the middle class is starting to question its choices. Even in the wealthier class, we find this phenomenon, on a different scale.“, concludes Alexandra Balikdjian.