Introduction to Affordable Cooking

In a time of economic uncertainty, an increasing number of social media users are turning to vintage recipes for budget-friendly meal ideas. Notably, TikTok creator Kiki Rough has emerged as a voice for affordable cooking, presenting methods inspired by past economic challenges.

Kiki Rough’s Approach

“If this is your first time being poor, I’m Kiki, and I’m trying to make it affordable to eat by using depression, recession and wartime recipes,” states Kiki Rough in a recently shared video. Her aim to provide wallet-friendly meal inspiration resonates; the video has garnered over four million views.

Rough draws on her personal experiences, having learned to cook while on food stamps. She creatively adapts her recipes, often forgoing eggs—prices of which have soared due to an avian flu outbreak. Her culinary inspiration is rooted in 1950s cookbooks, celebrated for their economical ideas.

The TikTok Trend of Budget Cooking

Rough’s content is part of a broader trend on TikTok. Other users are similarly focusing on thriftiness in meal preparation, inspired by historical contexts. “Eating like a medieval peasant until all my credit cards are paid off,” quipped another TikToker. The hashtag #budgetmeals saw a notable 20% surge in posts between March and April, with many entries accumulating millions of views.

The Economic Context

Although a formal recession has yet to be declared in the U.S., various indicators suggest a tightening economy. Climate for change is seen not just in food habits—such as the increase in frozen pizza sales—but also consumer preferences in personal care, illustrated by a trend dubbed “recession brunette.”

A recent survey from the University of Michigan reflects a drop in consumer confidence, now lower than levels recorded during the Great Recession (2007–2009). With grocery prices on the rise, whether due to tariffs on certain goods or other economic factors, many individuals are adjusting their buying habits accordingly.

Conclusion

As the conversation around recession-era cooking continues, platforms like TikTok play a crucial role in providing creative and practical solutions. With influencers showcasing how to navigate grocery shopping affordably, it appears that old wisdom is finding new relevance in today’s economic landscape.