Thinking about the economy is stressful for everyone these days. Just the fact that we will likely suffer due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs is enough to chill many to the bone. But stress is never helpful and will always lead to panic, and at a moment when Trump is not backing down, even for the sake of the people he claims to care about. But luckily, there are ways to make it at least a bit better, tips and tricks that will help with saving money.

Something to understand is that jobs have been especially difficult to get and maintain. Companies that employ many entry-level workers are becoming more picky about who they hire and even keep. Mostly since employers don’t want to pay for employees’ paychecks and will claim that it’s because the worker wasn’t doing their work correctly. Or they will look for any excuse to say the employee was acting out, which makes it worse for people who are struggling to make a living.

And getting a job can also be especially hard because even though there are “help wanted” signs and posts, most places just won’t hire high school-aged students. It sucks and is seriously unfair.

Honestly, all I can recommend is that you do all you can to take any job. If you can take a fast food job, take it. It’s hard to be picky right now, and you should take any job you can, and later get the job you want once it’s secured. So you won’t be jobless, still trying for any payment or work.

And one of the things people think the most about when they think, “Wow, I am about to become an adult”, is living without your parents. But living in a house or apartment, in this economy, alone? It is extremely difficult. It would be easiest to get an apartment and better a studio apartment.

Now, don’t confuse a studio apartment with a flat. A flat is the big apartment you see in the movies, and a studio apartment is a small, typically one-bedroom apartment. If you don’t have any cheap studio apartments in your area, then get a normal apartment, but if you can’t afford it, get a roommate. I beg of you.

Yes, a roommate might keep an apartment not as clean as you do, or they might not sort items like you, or even have the same energy as you do. Even if they like different furniture than you do or don’t even match your vibe at all, it’s still worth it to get a roommate. You can split bills you normally couldn’t pay yourself, get help with groceries, even if they like pistachio ice cream and you hate pistachio. But best of all, a roommate is company. You will almost certainly get lonely as an adult, especially when many of us are only going to work, home, and maybe school or college. And being lonely and not having socialization can be a make-or-break, even if it’s only ever casually talking with them or talking about bills; having someone around will be great during a time where people feel divided more than ever.

You could also stay home with family. You do not have to leave home when you graduate, despite what some may think. If you have no issues with family members or parents, or whoever will allow you to stay with them, you should stay. They are a familiar face and someone who knows you, and helps avoid the process of finding a roommate or apartment. But only do this if you don’t feel the need to leave home, or don’t have family issues.

Now for groceries, like previously mentioned, having someone to pitch in to help with the price of groceries will be a huge help, considering increasingly high prices for things like eggs.

Trump’s tariffs threaten to only increase price inflation, so having someone to help out with the cost will be a huge help to you, and also will provide someone to be there at the store with you. And also, planning is good. Never buy food for the month, ever, only ever buy food for the week, or better, food for the day. Since that will prevent the way you could end up not eating something due to not wanting it, which means if you only buy food you want to eat that day or week, it will never go bad, and not much money is being spent so quickly.

Things like bread, milk, and eggs are different, of course, and something you should only buy as needed; if you live alone, only buy one of each thing, but if you live with more than three people, buy two of milk and eggs. I think buying food for the week or food for the day is also just better for you, since you get food you want around the time you want it, save more money, and less waste.