My Economy vs. The Economy

I was eating lunch at a West Indian restaurant when I overheard a middle-aged woman passionately discussing how Canada should adopt stricter immigration policies, similar to Trump’s. Her reasoning? She believed immigrants were taking jobs from Canadians, driving up housing prices, and fueling inflation to the point where everyday people couldn’t afford basic necessities like food and shelter.

What struck me most was that she herself was an immigrant. She mentioned moving to Canada at 16 and recalled how difficult it was to get in back then. In her mind, it’s far too easy now, and that’s creating problems for regular people.

She was speaking so loudly that I couldn’t help but listen. And while I understood her frustration, I found myself asking: Is she focusing on the right problem?

This conversation got me thinking about My Economy vs. The Economy—and how often people blame external factors for their struggles. I wondered: What is she doing to improve her situation? Is she simply blaming the economy, or is she taking action to strengthen her economy?

As much as I wanted to empathize with her concerns, I felt she was looking at the issue from the wrong perspective. Toronto’s housing crisis has existed for over 20 years—long before immigration policies became a hot topic. Inflation is nothing new; I’ve dealt with it before, especially during oil price spikes. The truth is, the economy is largely out of our control. It’s an enormous, interconnected system driven by countless macroeconomic factors. But what we can control is our own economy.

I first heard this concept in a YouTube video, and I immediately thought: This is exactly what she needs to hear. Instead of stressing over the economy, focus on your economy—what you can change, what you can build, and how you can improve your financial situation.

Your Mindset Matters

If you constantly blame external forces for your struggles, you’ll stay stuck—even when the economy is thriving. That’s not to dismiss the very real hardships people face—many are struggling to afford basic necessities. But at some point, the key question becomes: What can you do to improve your situation?

It won’t be easy. If you’re financially struggling, you need to take a hard look at your expenses.

• What can you cut?

• Is there a way to earn more?

• Do you need to downsize?

None of these are easy decisions, but financial stability requires sacrifice and adaptation.

I’m not here to turn this into a long post about saving money, because at its core, personal finance is simple: Spend less than you make. I know—that’s easier said than done. But it’s the foundation of financial security.

I’ve landed jobs during recessions and faced layoffs during economic booms. The reality? Regardless of whether the economy is up or down, I still had to put in the work to secure my next opportunity. If you listen to the news, it’s never a good time to job hunt—there’s always a looming crisis. I stopped listening to that noise when I was 25.

The restaurant owner simply nodded and offered a polite smile as the woman spoke. In the end, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and sometimes, we just have to agree to disagree. But I couldn’t help but wish she would take a more proactive approach rather than placing all the blame on external factors.

Because let’s be honest—if it’s not the economy, it’s the terrible boss, the difficult in-laws, or the frustrating neighbors. There will always be challenges. The real question is: How are you going to handle them?

Challenges Are Inevitable—Growth Is Optional

When I was younger, I was shocked to learn that even the rich and famous have struggles. Problems don’t disappear with money or success. If it’s not financial stress, it’s relationships, health, or something else entirely. That’s just life.

But rather than letting that be a depressing realization, I see it as empowering. Knowing that challenges are inevitable means you can prepare for them. Instead of being caught off guard, you can adapt, grow, and take action.

General Advice:

✔ Focus on your economy, not the economy.

✔ Identify what you can do to improve your financial situation.

✔ Explore additional income streams, gain new skills, or cut unnecessary expenses.

✔ Shift your mindset—blaming external factors won’t change your reality.

At the end of the day, taking control of your economy will serve you far better than waiting for the economy to change.