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You don’t have to be a genius to realize that the world economy has been in a super weird place these past few years. In this perma-crisis environment, it feels like we’re constantly on the verge of yet another massive, global recession. The rich get richer, while the cost of living has skyrocketed for everyone else.
While never 100% accurate, there are subtle signs that the economy is messed up. So much so that people are sharing their favorite, funniest, and suspiciously specific recession indicators online. We’ve collected the best of the bunch to share with you, and you can check them out below. Fair warning, though, the next time you see “hot people in minimum wage jobs,” you might get worried about the economy!
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#2
The work fridges are filled with lunches brought from home and people growing their roots out.
#3
i work at a grocery store and we've been restocking ramen way more than before
Devin Schmitt 6 hours ago
Even ramen has gotten expensive. When I was in college (more than a few years ago,) ramen was 10/$1.00.
There are lots of subtle changes in consumer behavior that show that the global or local economy is struggling. In a nutshell, if you feel forced to change your spending habits and adjust your lifestyle, you’ve probably run into financial problems. If your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers are changing their behavior and shopping habits, too, the issues run deeper than you not getting that raise and/or promotion that you totally deserved. It’s likely systemic.
One of the best recession indicators that we’ve ever come across is the surge in hot dog sales, especially the not-so-subtly named ‘Recession Special,’ at Gray’s Papaya in Manhattan.
“We noticed a big uptick around 2008-2009, when everything was collapsing (amid the Great Financial Crisis), and we are feeling the same thing right now — to a lesser extent, obviously, but the pattern is the same,” Rachael Gray, the owner of the hot dog restaurant, told CNN in September 2025.
CNN stressed that there is growing discontent among middle-class and lower-income households in the United States, despite the official numbers about the health of the American economy.
#4
I'm a Mailman, we deliver Amazon only on Sundays. My average load used to be 80-100 packages. I had 17 last week
Bonnie Blue Bird 19 hours ago
I buy very little from Amazon. I'd rather support my local stores unless it's something very difficult to find.
#5
Having coworkers who are my grandparents age 🥹
#6
my last three uber drivers had master degrees
Daniel Atkins 15 hours ago
I think this has to do more with the oversaturation of degrees. More people have a bachelors degree than ever before so to stand out get a masters. Well now a Masters is more common than before so now to stand out get a PHD it is a vicious cycle. there is only so many jobs that require a degree available economy good or bad.
Of course, all weird recession indicators have to be taken with a grain of salt. But in aggregate, they indicate that (some) consumers are struggling.
According to CNN, other unorthodox signs that the economy may be struggling include things like:
- Cardboard box shipments are at a low
- More people go to the cinema, as it is an affordable escape
- Spending on outdoor activities, like camping, spikes not just in spring and summer
- Buying fewer discretionary items, like snacks
- More people turn to local pawn shops for loans that they can no longer get from serious, trustworthy financial institutions
#8
I'm 37 and my 30 year old brother and I moved back in with my mom. my 43 yo sister is moving back soon. we're starting a family compound haha.
#9
my retired mom asked me to help her with her resumé
Furthermore, in tough times, people turn to humor, including joking about recession indicators and sharing memes about the economy.
“The more serious things get, the more we rely on humor as a way to cope with them,” explains Justin Kidd, professor of sociology at Temple University.
However, Kidd warns that the danger is that constantly meme-ing about the economy can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. “When people joke about feeling negatively about the economy, it could cause others to feel the same way. That would mean more people pulling back from the market — inching us ever closer to an economic slump,” CNN states.
#10
In my social circle, fully half the couples have one person recently unemployed and getting NO WHERE on the job hunt. Pretty good indicator.
#12
No one is booking me on Rover for pet sitting. So no one is booking vacations…
Breadcrumb. 1 day ago
Spent 100 on flea medication today, makes me think harder about wanting more pets..
Meanwhile, Kyla Scanlon, the author of ‘In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work’ and this awesome Substack (!), points out that memes are “just testing out ideas mostly.” She explained that meme-ing is akin to sending out a smoke signal to check whether everyone else is doing okay. When you get a “no” back as a response, you’re relieved because you’re not the only person who is stressed.
According to Scanlon, when people have given up, everything becomes a joke. “I think a lot of people are like, ‘Nothing matters anymore.’ And it’s just sad,” she told CNN.
#13
If the price of a hot dog at Costco goes up we're in trouble .
#14
I read yesterday that the most popular selling beer this summer is Miller High Life. Cheap, bad beer. This could be an indicator as well. I thought it was interesting at least.
Breadcrumb. 1 day ago
Young people can't afford to drink, they are drinking waaay less than previous generations
#15
Restaurants not as busy. Concerts are not busy unless you’re Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift etc. strip clubs empty, hotels and resorts not even half full.
We love this topic, and we’d like to hear your insights, too, Pandas! Share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
What are the funniest, weirdest, and super-specific recession indicators that you keep an eye out for? How have you changed your spending habits in recent years? How are current events affecting your day-to-day budgeting and shopping?
#16
I didn't know these were recession indicators.
I have heard of the Hemline Index, which basically says that women's skirt/dress hemlines get longer when the economy worsens.
There's also a more informal theory that black people tend to shy away from ethnic hairstyles as the economy gets worse.
#17
Stories from the corporate frontlines: It sounds counter-intuitive, but the "Process Improvement" folks are typically deployed about a year or two before a recession, and by the time they've overstayed their welcome, we are deep in a recession and the group is then dismantled or laid off as part of recession RIFs. I've seen it happen 4 times now in my long career. It is a less appreciated bellwether.
#18
Subscriptions raising prices, but not adding new features
#19
Housing pricing are still high, but they are not selling quickly (at least here).
Bonnie Blue Bird 19 hours ago
I'm seeing a lot of houses for sale and then listing reduced prices after a few weeks.
#20
Everyone is suddenly into re-selling and thrifting again, but the market is beyond flooded now.
I remember my Mom teaching her friends what to look for in thrift stores and on eBay back in 2008, now my friends are asking me to do the same for them but it's not worth the hassle anymore. I taught them to thrift things of quality that they can keep instead.
#21
There is a grocery store in my city I use as the indicator. When times are good the clientele are well dressed and put together. When times are bad everyone looks like they work manual labor or are homeless. The homeless also move into the gas station parking lot across the street. They hire more security. They actually put in security gates, clientele appearances have dropped again. And the homeless are beginning to congregate. Should be anytime now.
Geoffrey Scott 18 hours ago
One of the sure-fire indicators I use is boat/ snowmobile/RV sales. One of the first economic casualties.
#22
90’s and 2000’s musicians who were basically retired , now going on tour
#23
Damaged cars still driving around with the damaged parts taped together.
Geoffrey Scott 18 hours ago
Or, as I've seen on this site described.."vehicles that have hit everything but the lotto".
#24
tmz is reporting actual news
#26
More “at-home” nail polish kits and nail art. .
Mel 23 hours ago
I suck at nail sculpting, treatment and applying varnishes and the social element my friend/nail technician always includes in her sessions. I dread the moment she moves into a different town or gives up her profession for moving into a cottage with chickens, a cow, a lizard, a dog and a cat far, far away.
#27
The “we buy houses for cash” signs all over. See commercials now, too. “Any condition.”.
#28
A-List celebrities are doing commercials.
liam newton-harding 17 hours ago
They always have...$100,000 for a day's work. Especially in foreign markets.
#30
a movie theater trip feels like a vacation
Francois 20 hours ago (edited)
Our cinema went the other way. It used to cost £12 but for a year or more they had £5 tickets. Instead of empty theatres, the theatres are filling up. Plus they are selling loads more popcorn, etc. and the cinema is probably doing a lot better. Families are not coming when it costs like £60 if you can watch something on Netflix at home.
#32
I was in Target the other day and noticed a lot of the women’s clothing was becoming more drab in color and utilitarian in style. Lots of beige and denim in very simple cuts.
Elladine DesIsles 1 day ago (edited)
Hmmm... I was in Winners (Canada) recently and noticed that every other women's top seemed to have a very "girly" print of tiny, colourful, delicate butterflies. I bought none, because I am 47 and not Mariah Carey, though I did leave with two pair of bright pyjamas printed in lobsters and in strawberry vines. All of which seem like strangely optimistic fashion options for present times. Perhaps defiantly so?
#33
More car accidents. Bald tires. Candy sales rise.
#34
The fireworks in my neighborhood were far below normal years. I live in a working class neighborhood and folks don’t have the disposable income to literally burn their money.
#35
Arizona Tea is no longer a dollar.
#37
Recently I started donating plasma as my side gig. I work 40 hours every week, have 2 Master's degrees and one child.
#38
When corporate cuts out all their contractors and guts any ad or creative team.. meaning me..
#39
I’m seeing offers on tv of 0% interest for one year on financing on various things. I remember that dangerous game…I was a brand new adult at my first teaching job, and I did not pay off the balance in the allotted time, at which point my credit card shuffle really began. I had one for a furniture store, every store I bought clothes for at the mall, regular visa, Sears, I never should have kept getting approved. This would have been around 2004-2007. We were having a ton of fun, but tough times were ahead.
#40
Canned fish like sardines are trending….
#41
Miley Cyrus is doing Hannah Montana again
#43
when the week after a holiday, the themed holiday candy isn't on sale
Daniel Atkins 14 hours ago
I have noticed the stores don't buy as much as they used to. they used to buy way more that they could sell by guessing now they have more access to buying data and computer tracking so they buy less and don't buy as much and can sell it at a less of a discount because it takes up less space. Plus they know there are people waiting for tit to go on sale the day after so they wait.
#44
Living in an apartment used to be a sign of lower income
Fungus John 1 day ago
I just bought one and the market is vicious. run down 1-bedrooms were selling in less than a week
#45
I went to a coffee shop last week, and when paying, there was no prompt to tip on the register.
#47
All the commercials for colleges. You know you in a recession when the ads about bettering yourself by spending tens of thousands of dollars, with financing available, on an online bachelors degree.
David Paterson 19 hours ago
In the US, colleges have lost more than half their income as a result of the deportation of most of their students.
#48
A proliferation of Vampire media (was Twilight, this time around its Interview with a vampire, Sinners, the new Dracula movie)
Ke$ha albums.
#49
Wacko bonus offers for opening new credit/checking accounts.
Normally I see them and it's like - deposit 100k for a $1000 bonus. Too much work for not enough money (let alone the question of having 100k in cash anyway).
I'm working on two right now for $1500 profit and all I had to do was bounce my emergency fund over and update my direct deposit for a couple months.
#50
I haven’t really paid attention to new car models currently but I do remember last time a lot of models changed the fronts so the cars appeared to almost be smiling.
#51
It’s a small one but I know people who stopped buying coffee creamer because of price
#52
My lease renewal DECREASED for the next year 😅
#53
Read an article saying that there’s no song of the summer for 2025 due the economic environment and of the top ten most streamed songs this year only one was released in 2025. People are supposedly returning to recession era music as well.
#54
I saw a commercial for Sarah Lee bread that was like "need a dinner option? Try PBJ!"
#55
Most of the grocery stores near me have a very sparse produce section. Could be a northern Illinois thing. Could be a lack of workers thing. Could be it’s just too hot out. All I know is I can’t find any good produce the last 2 weeks.
#57
Buying frozen blueberries because fresh blueberries are $9 😭
Geoffrey Scott 18 hours ago
I buy IQF blueberries exclusively. No nutrient/taste loss, about $9 for 5#.
#58
Im in a transition point in my life. Biggest recession indicator of them all.
#59
The "ULINE"catalog is a third of its thickness. The postal worker can fit the rest of the mail in the box with it now.
#60
The “princess nail” trend which is just a gel mani on short natural nails. Also press ons becoming more popular.
Partypants 10 hours ago
I think this is good, some nails I see are terrifying and stupidly long and I can only imagine the bacteria underneath .
#62
There is no long line at Taco Bell anymore
#63
Low rise jeans are now fully back and at most retailers.
#65
- “no makeup” makeup/fresh face
- wearing your natural hair color or letting roots grow out
- short nails in basic colors
- wearing your uggs and whatever from past years this year instead of buying new
- leather and denim are really popular, probably because of durability
Honestly I associate y2k clothes with wealth and excess, like wearing multiple shirts for no reason just because you can afford to. There’s a bit of that in fashion now, and I think it’s more based on nostalgia…but eventually financial constraints are going to limit that.
#66
I have a relative that monitors how much toilet paper is being used in the house including your own personal usage.
#67
"Day to night" looks and business casual as clubwear.
#68
Hollister dropping the henleys, babydolls, old logo, and lace camis again.
David Paterson 19 hours ago
Is that "dropping" as in dumping rubbish on the market. Or is it "dropping" as in removing from the catalog?
#69
People are saying that skinny jeans and tall Uggs will be back for Fall/Winter this year.
#71
People are thrifting for an "Aria Montgomery" (character from Pretty Little Liars) bag. Basically large, top handle, slouchy, tons of embellishments, Think Olsen Twins in their New York days. I've also heard a lot of talk about having an Elena Gilbert/Bella Swan Fall.
#72
Hot people in minimum wage jobs.
I'm im a college town, so a lot of employees in retail/food service are good looking, but I've seen quite a few really hot people working at McDonalds over the summer.
#73
Keisha dropped TikTok during a recession and I'm afraid to tell yall that she has dropped no fewer than two absolute bangers this year.
#74
Im getting matches with really attractive women on hinge. This only happened during the covid market crash, inflation crisis and 2008 crash.
Normally I get a like or match every second month and it’s not usually particularly attractive women. During crisis like we will have now I get babes, and they actively chat me up. It’s not one or so but a whole bunch of them.
Sold my holdings and waiting for things to crash out.
Panda McPandaface 21 hours ago (edited)
I can't really explain how much I despise this utterly superficial person.
#75
Samsung just came out with the CUTEST smart flip phone. I refuse to buy new phones on principle unless mine breaks, but I would fully buy this if my phone broke today.
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What do you think ?
Rick Murray 1 day ago
Fewer coworkers so you get more to do and more responsibilities. Pay? Nyahahaha.... As flatline as a cold cadaver.
sofacushionfort 1 day ago (edited)
The advancing glaciers have pulled water from the sea and wolves and bears have returned to Great Britain over the reopened land bridge
Beak Hookage 23 hours ago
I worked for over a decade in a highly qualified position at a respectable company. Now I'm doing the kind of work usually reserved for students because it's literally all I can find. I can't afford to go to the movies the way I used to. In fact I've started needing to rely on the local community pantry to get food.
Rick Murray 1 day ago
Fewer coworkers so you get more to do and more responsibilities. Pay? Nyahahaha.... As flatline as a cold cadaver.
sofacushionfort 1 day ago (edited)
The advancing glaciers have pulled water from the sea and wolves and bears have returned to Great Britain over the reopened land bridge
Beak Hookage 23 hours ago
I worked for over a decade in a highly qualified position at a respectable company. Now I'm doing the kind of work usually reserved for students because it's literally all I can find. I can't afford to go to the movies the way I used to. In fact I've started needing to rely on the local community pantry to get food.
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