Toxic Relationships vs. Toxic Economy: Same Difference

Below is a summary of my latest YouTube video and podcast comparing toxic relationships to a toxic economy.

Listen to the podcast version.

So, I started looking at the U.S. economy and I realized it compares to toxic relationships. We’ve all been there, right? Maybe we’re in one now, or we’ve finally gotten out. Or at least you know someone who has been in a toxic relationship.

That rollercoaster of being together, breaking up, getting back together. The constant chaos where you’re walking on eggshells, never knowing what the next day will bring. And even when things seem okay, there’s this underlying tension, this feeling that it’s just temporary. Because let’s be real, if a relationship starts rocky, it usually stays rocky. That confusion and instability? It’s not just bad for your mental and physical health; it hits your wallet too.

And that’s where I see a parallel with what’s happening in the U.S. right now. Think about our international relationships – the tariffs on, then off, then maybe on again. It’s the same inconsistency, the same chaos you see in a toxic personal relationship.

How can other countries trust us, or want to do business with us, when the rules keep changing on a whim? It’s like dealing with someone who constantly goes back on their word.

I even read a statistic about how leaders in other countries who are against President Trump are seeing a boost in popularity. That’s the level of instability we’re projecting.

Tariffs in the Trump Administration and the Toxic Economy

A while back, I read that DHS wasn’t going to bring in packages over $800. I didn’t think much of it then. But now, we’re looking at taxes, sorry “tariffs,” on packages under $800 starting this week. So while DHS was getting prepared, there’s that on/off again approach by the Trump administration, where the lack of notice only leads to more financial chaos.

So, even with Amazon purchases, we are going to feel the pinch. This is what I’ve been saying for months: we’re going to get nickel-and-dimed to death, especially as states try to make up for lost federal revenue.

Earlier in the week, I posted on Facebook that a filter for my showerhead has increased 2.85% over the last three years. That showerhead is now 28.73% more expensive. Why? The Trump tariffs.

Going back to those on-again, off-again relationships, it’s the same with tariffs. Why would you build a business relationship with someone, or a country, that’s so unpredictable? You can’t trust that the agreements you make today will still stand tomorrow. All that invested money can just vanish because someone changed their mind. And let’s not even get started on Peter Navarro, the Senior Counselor on Trade and Manufacturing, and his questionable economic theories. Quoting made-up economists? Seriously? Just look up Ron Vara.

The bottom line is, this constant back and forth destroys trust. Just like in a personal relationship, once that damage is done, even if things calm down for a bit, you’re always walking on eggshells. That’s the result of a toxic relationship, and not knowing what tomorrow brings financially is a consequence of a toxic economy.

Can other countries really trust us after all the inconsistencies and, frankly, the lies? I mean, we’re still waiting for Mexico to pay for that wall, right? Crickets. How can you believe anything someone says when there’s a track record of blatant falsehoods? The price of groceries didn’t magically drop, and the war in Ukraine didn’t end in 24 hours. The list goes on.

And this is the person we thought would be good for the economy? We haven’t even seen his tax returns! We’ve just had to take his word for it, and for the record, he said he would release them. And look where we are, in this toxic relationship on a national and international level. When you’re in a toxic relationship, you want out, and we all know how toxic relationships end.

So, what can you do? Just like in your finances, when things get tough, you have to adjust. Your situation is unique. And with these new taxes on smaller packages, it’s clear that expenses are going up.

With federal funding cuts, state and local governments will be looking to make up that revenue by nickel-and-diming us even more. You need to be prepared, whether that means finding ways to earn extra income or cutting back on spending. Because right now, we’re in a toxic economic relationship, and we need to figure out how to navigate it until we can move on to something more stable.

If the fact that Morgan Stanley is saying the U.S. economy might become “Cubanized” is not a warning sign, a red flag, then I don’t know what is.

Take care of yourselves, and remember to take a break when you can. We all deserve it, but that needs to be balanced against being informed and prepared.

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