32 Tiny Things Gen Xers Are Noticing That Suggest We’re In A Recession

    I’m definitely checking the PB at TJ’s next time I’m there.

    Matt Stopera
    by Matt StoperaBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Staff

    I’ve been working here since George W.

    Threads user @countess_blockula asked Gen Xers to share the subtle, everyday signs that we're headed toward a recession, and honestly, some of these are too real (because I see them!)

    Social media post questioning the subtle signs of an upcoming recession not typically reported in news headlines
    @countess_blockula/threads.com

    Here's what people said:

    1. "Increase in people over 40 working fast food. I’ve seen a LOT of it in recent weeks." — countess_blockula

    People walk past a McDonald's with bright pink interior and gaming machines, creating a vibrant, modern atmosphere
    Cheng Xin / Getty Images

    2. "Real estate signs staying up for weeks or months." — hooman.rights.fan

    "For Sale By Owner" sign displayed in a yard near a street with a contact number listed
    Hyoung Chang / Getty Images

    3. "GOP President." — bisonchiq

    Two officials are shaking hands, standing in front of both the U.S. and Chinese flags
    Kenny Holston / Getty Images

    4. "Peanut butter sales increase while meat sales decrease." — michelecheyward

    A jar of Peter Pan creamy peanut butter is on a pantry shelf among other food items
    Bloomberg / Getty Images

    5. "No summer or part time jobs for high school kids. They are being filled by laid off adults who can’t find another source of employment." — targetgirl

    Store interior with a large "We're Hiring!" sign. Part-time positions available with a starting pay of $15.00/hr. QR code for applications
    Ucg / Getty Images

    6. "Seasonal candy is still in the clearance bin, days after the holiday has passed." — supaterryrules

    A variety of Halloween candies, including KitKats, Smarties, Aero bars, and Lay's chips, mixed with two apples and novelty eyeball candies
    R.j. Johnston / Getty Images

    7. "More people driving around with one headlight burned out is a very bad sign." — edwin_hardy

    Cars driving on a multi-lane highway at night, with trees lining the road and illuminated road signs visible
    Andrew Merry / Getty Images

    8. "Boats and camper vans for sale everywhere." — aj_murph9

    Boat with a "For Sale" sign on the stern, docked at a marina
    Leopatrizi / Getty Images

    9. "Animal shelters overflowing." — angiemckee71

    Kittens in a cage with paws on the bars, looking out. Several litter trays visible behind them
    Mariia Zotova / Getty Images

    10. "The blondes are going darker, going ombré and brunette means less expensive hair color trips. Also press on nails are having a HUGE moment." — mzahmad

    Woman with long hair wearing sunglasses and a denim vest, looking confidently at the camera
    Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

    11. "No one retires." — jerzdevl2000

    Three smiling older adults giving thumbs up, sitting outdoors with palm trees in the background
    Lucigerma / Getty Images

    12. "Layoffs every week. It's literally every single week since last April that someone is getting let go or groups of people but there aren't many jobs out there." — melindakucsera28

    Person smiling in a modern office, wearing a striped, short-sleeve button-up shirt
    Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

    13. "Taking longer than 3 months to find a job." — anndelulu

    A person stands in a modern corridor, wearing a tailored suit and holding a phone, looking thoughtfully out of a window
    Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

    14. "McDonald’s dropping prices." — themattmiles

    Fast food drive-thru menu showing breakfast items, beverages, snacks, entrees, desserts, and combo meals with prices
    Schulteproductions / Getty Images

    15. "More people with their calculators out at the grocery store." — raineykrista

    Person holding a smartphone showing a calculator with the number 135 in a grocery store aisle
    Johner Images / Getty Images

    16. "Range Rovers at Wal-Mart and stock tips from bartenders." — jimmycopp99

    Walmart storefront with Canadian and provincial flags flying above, showcasing its distinctive logo and entrance
    Iryna Tolmachova / Getty Images

    17. "I’m seeing an increase of for sale signs on cars on the road and in people’s driveways." — shaeshae_jw

    Car with "For Sale" sign in rear window on a suburban street. Sign lists year, model, and contact details. Trees in the background
    Sakkawokkie / Getty Images

    18. "Grandmas doing door dash." — elmar_west

    Man in suit talking with a woman wearing a "Doordash Grandma" T-shirt outside a building
    Bloomberg / Getty Images

    19. "Our food bank has been so busy with new faces!" — lillymaethesharpei

    Volunteers with name tags distribute food items outdoors, smiling and interacting with people in line
    Filippobacci / Getty Images

    20. "Gas over $4. The 2008 Crash was folks buying gas and food while postponing the mortgage, credit cards, student loans, and auto debt." — nbaxter.design

    Gas station sign displaying prices: Regular gas at $4.19 and diesel at $5.79, located at a Mobil station
    Habesen / Getty Images

    21. "The fact that anyone thinks a 50 year mortgage was worth offering." — rossxmachina

    Person in a suit and USA cap gestures, standing outdoors with a microphone nearby, trees and an obelisk in the background
    Alex Wroblewski / Getty Images

    22. "Vacancies in strip malls. More and more for rent/lease signs for commercial properties." — stayathomejess

    An empty parking lot in front of a strip mall with a sign showing leasing information
    Jeff Greenberg / Getty Images

    23. "I keep my eye on consignment shops, and when I start to see Chanel bags and ysl’s being sold, I know the economy is heading for a turn." — lunalouis28

    A brick storefront with signs for "2nd to None Thrift & Gift." A-frame sign on sidewalk says "Thrift Shop Open."
    Bloomberg / Getty Images

    24. "My mortgage company calling multiple times a day trying to get me to refinance." — tiaowu_caihong

    Person reading and sorting papers at a desk with a laptop open
    D3sign / Getty Images

    25. "Moms being incredibly strategic about errands to maximize gas. :)" — kathidenfeld

    Woman refueling car while two kids enjoy ice cream at a gas station
    Maskot / Getty Images

    26. "Market for used guitars is flooded. Rockbottom prices." — annxramsey

    A music store displays a large variety of acoustic guitars on wooden walls, showcasing different shapes and styles
    Valerii Apetroaiei / Getty Images

    27. "Long skirts back in fashion." — naehspiele

    Long black coat with buttons, paired with gold high heels, worn on a polished indoor floor
    Wirestock / Getty Images

    28. "Stalled construction projects." — amy_from_wv

    Construction site with metal and wooden scaffolding supporting a concrete ceiling in an unfinished building
    Urbazon / Getty Images

    29. "Empty flatbed trucks on the highway. It means they could book something else for the back haul. Goods not moving = recession." — trgactual

    Open truck with large, compacted bales of scrap metal neatly stacked inside
    Monty Rakusen / Getty Images

    30. "Tons of junk mail from auto dealers." — stephenboss2000

    A letter detailing changes to the Winter Fuel Payment, marked as important information
    Clubfoto / Getty Images

    31. "Cancelled vacations or vacations not being booked. I do cat sitting. Bookings are way down." — bar_2_barre

    Two people with luggage checking into a hotel lobby with a receptionist smiling behind the counter
    Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

    32. And lastly, "People selling cars and houses on Facebook Marketplace." — e_dub_dub_esq

    Person sitting and using a smartphone with a social media app, laptop open on a table with a login page visible
    Tero Vesalainen / Getty Images

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