Today's Article

CNN Narrator: Millennials who were young adults during the Great Recession are sharing their wisdom on TikTok. 

Itzett Romero / TIKTOK: We don't panic during recessions. We prepare for them. 

CNN Narrator: As 5Gen Z 6anxiously prepares for a 7downturn that economists warn could be 8triggered by President Trump's trade war. 

Sasha Whitney: So I just started seeing videos after video after video of Gen Z just feeling 9downtrodden, frustrated, very 10bleak and hopeless about the future. When I was going through the Great Recession in 2008, I didn't feel as hopeless and bleak. I was looking at my peer group, the people around me, and we were doing OK. We were all struggling, but we were in it together. Number one, take whatever job you can get. 

CNN Narrator: On TikTok, Sasha walked Gen Z through recession tips, like living below your means and deleting 11layaway payment platforms. Her biggest piece of advice? Stop comparing yourself to others on social media. 

Sasha Whitney: Because of social media, I feel like Gen Z are living two 12vastly different experiences. You see the Gen Z that are like struggling and broke, and then you see the Gen Z who are on yachts and on planes, you know, 13Coachella. We're all in this together. The reality of the situation is the vast majority of us are 14struggling. 

CNN Narrator: On a platform that encourages 15keeping up with the latest trends, many TikTokers are 16vowing to do one thing, lower their spending. 

Imani Smith, Content Creator: If you were an adult during the 2008 recession, can you tell me if my plan is good or not?... I am trying my hardest to not spend a lot of money on everything. My mindset is I want to do it and build a practice of doing it before I have to do it out of basic necessity. I'm basically choosing to go to local farmers markets and produce markets instead of a big box grocery store. I limit all 17subscriptions. If I can pass words, share with my friends on app, let's just share and not pay double the cost. 

Sasha Whitney: If you don't got it, you don't got it. And that's okay. Spend money, focus on the 18essentials, save as much as you can and really prioritize and make sure you are living a life that feels good to you, not that looks good on social media.