The effect of economic turbulence. What can we do so we don't get stuck in fear and postponement

Romania crosses one of the most tense periods of the last decade, at the intersection of an accentuated political instability, an increasing budget deficit and the perspective of unpopular fiscal measures. Against the backdrop of these uncertainties, the specialists observe an increasingly accentuated tendency: “Financial preservation”-a natural, but deep reaction, by which the Romanians change their economic behavior, fearful that the income will be affected, writes Bogdan Stoian, a clinician psychologist, in an opinion text for Hotnews.

The budget deficit of Romania is estimated by the European Commission at 8.6% of GDP in 2025, and the IMF warns that, without structural reforms, the expenses will continue to exceed the receipts.

Internally, governors are already talking about the need for “unpopular” measures to reduce the deficit: tax increases, increasing income taxes, VAT, social contributions. In parallel, the cost of life increases, and the euro rate has exceeded the threshold of 5 lei, emphasizing the pressure on those who have rates or import products and raw materials.

Inflation, even if in slight decrease compared to 2024, remains high, and bank interest are kept at levels of over 6% for deposits in lei in the medium term, a sign of a tense financial climate.

New behaviors

In such a context, a double anxiety appears against the background of economic turbulence: the fear of loss of resources and the lack of confidence that the state will be able to provide predictability or protection. This fear is manifested by visible behaviors – from the reduction of consumption, to the resort to emergency reserves or, in more serious cases, the withdrawal from economic or investment initiatives.

Financial preservation is a mechanism of self -defense in the face of uncertainty. People begin to voluntarily reduce their consumption, postpone large purchase decisions and become more reserved in expenses, even if they have not yet been directly affected by an economic measure. Emotionally, it is the equivalent of entering a shelter waiting for the storm.

Against the background of this state of financial preservation, new behaviors are born:

• People postpone large purchases: appliances, vacations, furniture, renovations or cars
• Reduce daily consumption: they are oriented towards cheaper products, reduce online orders, prefer fast food restaurants or cook home
• Call reserves: many use savings set aside for “black days” to cover monthly expenses
• Avoid taking risks: are less willing to change their jobs, invest or start business

Ins data show that inflation has already reached 4.9% in April, and continuous increase in products and services can lead to a “dead moment” in the economy, in which both companies and citizens avoid high stakes. The figures also show that 61% of the revenues of a household go to consumption.

A vicious psychological and economic circle

Financial preservation, although logical at the individual level, can produce macro recoil effects. If too many consumers choose to drastically reduce the expenses, the demand decreases, the companies register losses, and the state collects fewer taxes, which leads to the even more pronounced need to impose new fiscal measures.

It is a vicious circle in which fear is self -attached and can generate an economic blockage. When people do not know what to expect, everything becomes threatening. In the absence of trusted anchors – leadership, coherent communication, gradual measures – the human mind prefers to “freeze” and preserve, not risk “, stresses the psychologist Stoian.

What can we do so we don't get stuck in fear and postponement

The key in periods of economic turbulence is adaptability. People with high self -esteem adapt more easily because they have less anxiety. The recommendation is to make a personal and family budget. The discipline always helps to handle. Let's make short, medium and long term plans that will take into account more difficult periods.

I went through the pandemic, which was a black swan effect, and a good part of the population remained with the sequelae, and these turbulence that is prefigured is added to the anxiety that has been accumulated since. Let us not forget that we went through difficult periods: war, communism, pandemic, other crises and we did.

Of course, it's not desirable and we don't want to go back there. Always before it is better is a period of adaptation. Let us not lose sight of that, although money is important, they are only part of life and that friendship, family are much more important for our well -being and focus on this side. It is normal to appear this preservation behavior.

And, last but not least: to learn to manage our money better. In periods of turbulence, panic leads to wrong decisions. But when you understand what options you have, how your budget works and what to pay attention to, you have more control. And that means less fear and more balance.

Bogdan Stoian is a clinician psychologist, a graduate of the Faculty of Psychology, double master in clinical psychology and communication techniques and social influence.