Chuanjiang Story | Layoffs, salary cuts, and unemployment are everywhere. It’s hard to make money, and ordinary people at the bottom can’t get through the winter with dignity!

“Do you remember the winter covered in heavy snow? It’s not just the streets and alleys that are cold, but also the fear in your heart.” Most of our lives are peaceful, but occasional snowstorms can always catch us off guard. In the winter of 2024, the shadow of layoffs, salary cuts, and unemployment has enveloped the lives of many ordinary people. It’s no longer distant news, but something that is truly happening around us. The restaurants at the entrance of the community have put up “for sale” signs, the subway is filled with white-collar workers who choose to squeeze onto buses to save on gas, there are fewer smiles in the circle of friends, and they are replaced by anxious discussions about “what to do.” This winter, it’s hard to make money, and life is even more difficult.

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01 The decent life of ordinary people is being destroyed

The cost of living is getting higher and higher, but income is stagnant. A month ago, I talked to a friend about his work. He is a construction worker. This year, due to the decline in the construction site’s start-up rate, his income has plummeted, and he has only received less than two months’ worth of wages in three months. And his wife is a catering service worker, and after the restaurant’s customer flow has decreased significantly, she can only get a basic salary. For the sake of life, they began to cut all expenses: canceling takeout, reducing gatherings, and even the children’s extracurricular classes were forced to stop. Another friend is even more helpless. He is an unemployed real estate agent, and his savings are almost bottomed out, but he can’t even find an interview opportunity. In the end, he gritted his teeth and started driving a ride-hailing car, earning hard-earned money to barely support his family. The seemingly decent appearance, in fact, has long been precarious.

02 Why is this happening?

1. The coldness of the big environment

The economic downturn is like a silent avalanche. After large companies lay off and cut salaries, consumption continues to weaken, and small businesses are also struggling to survive. Money is not flowing, and the market is even more difficult. To earn more money, the opportunities are constantly decreasing, and it is not easy for ordinary people to keep the money in their pockets.

2. The “mismatch” of personal abilities

The current job market’s demand for abilities is becoming more and more “refined.” Many people’s original skills are no longer popular in the current environment. Trying to transform, but bumping into walls everywhere because of the lack of direction and resources. The more you want to seize the opportunity, the more you find that the opportunity is moving away.

03 How to survive in the cold winter

When the snowstorm comes, only by preparing for it can you have more vitality. The following are some practical and low-cost action suggestions, hoping to inspire you:

Hold tight to your wallet
Do not easily make unnecessary consumption. Learn to compare prices and use preferential platforms when buying daily necessities. You may have looked down on some platforms in the past, but now they are the key to careful calculation. Review your bills once a month to see which expenses can be cut and achieve refined living.
Try multiple channels for side jobs
If your main job income is unsustainable, you can try to start a side job during your spare time. Street stall economy: selling night market snacks, low cost and high return, is a practical choice. Online business: such as community group buying, online home service appointments, etc., with less investment but stable income. Self-media writing: outputting content with fragmented time may be a new path in the future.
Improve skills and find “survival gaps”
Even if you don’t have resources, you can start with free online courses and learn some skills that adapt to future trends, such as data analysis, short video editing, etc. These skills may become the key to your turnaround one day.
Value the value of connections
In the cold winter, it is difficult to get through by huddling together alone. You may as well use your spare time to participate in some industry-related salons and offline sharing sessions, get to know people in the same situation, and discuss future prospects together.