In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, Ana Thompson found herself grappling with a wave of uncertainty. “I experienced a profound fear about the election results and what they could mean for our country,” she recounts.

As a creator on TikTok specializing in personal finance content, Thompson began to reflect on the potential economic impacts of President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, thinking about how she could help others prepare for the challenges ahead.

In response, she made a TikTok video urging women to take control of their personal finances. “We may not know the path our country is heading down or what the next four years will entail, but having financial resources can open doors,” she emphasized in her message.

“I foresee economic changes in the next four years, and many individuals are already encountering difficulties,” Thompson tells TIME. “My goal is to prepare them for what lies ahead.”

The Trump Administration has proposed various changes that could drastically influence the economy, including universal tariffs on imports, reductions in student loan relief, and tax cuts that analysts caution may favor wealthier individuals, leaving lower and middle-income families in a precarious position.

These proposals have led many to reevaluate their financial strategies, prompting some women to take action—whether by cutting expenses, shifting their spending away from large corporations, or increasing their savings.

Rethinking Big Business

Sara Belhouari, a financial advisor based in Brooklyn, champions what she refers to as “financial activism,” where she deliberately decides how to spend her money. She has begun to question her support for major corporations, particularly those like Amazon and Uber, which have contributed to Trump’s inauguration fund. Belhouari has chosen to withdraw her patronage from businesses that do not align with her values.

“These corporations hold significant wealth, influence, and power,” she remarks. “Many of the companies I’ve opted to avoid are backing politicians who advocate for damaging policies.”

Nabihah Ahmad, a student at Columbia University, has always been an advocate for supporting companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical labor practices. Last year, she created an online search tool to help individuals find alternatives to products from companies profiting from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Following the election, she broadened her platform to spotlight black-owned and women-owned businesses across the nation.

She notes that millions have visited her site monthly, highlighting a growing awareness of consumer impact. “Society is shifting towards more mindful consumption and using our purchasing power to tackle issues like climate change and political challenges,” she observes. “Our spending choices have a significant effect on these outcomes.”

An April 2024 Nielsen report indicated that women account for roughly $31.8 trillion in global spending and are projected to control 75% of discretionary spending by 2028.

Thompson believes that initiatives like “no-buy” challenges, where participants refrain from non-essential purchases, or opting to support small businesses instead of large corporations, can empower women politically. “With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, many women feel their agency is being compromised,” she notes. “Offering them a concrete way to impact their communities through financial decisions can be incredibly uplifting.”

Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means for the Economy

Saving for Uncertainty

In light of potential economic disruptions, many individuals are prioritizing their savings. Elysia Berman, a creative director in New York, plans to reduce her expenses and support local businesses, whether through purchasing groceries from nearby markets or participating in clothing swaps. “I strive to be as intentional as possible with my spending,” she explains.

For Marisa Savegnago, a wedding photographer and marketer from Illinois, this mindset has become second nature. During the pandemic, when shopping online seemed like the safest option, she found herself accumulating unnecessary items.

“One morning, it hit me—‘Wow, we’ve amassed so much stuff,’” she recalls. “It was overwhelming.”

This epiphany prompted her to reassess her shopping habits, leading her to focus on second-hand purchases and supporting local businesses, a lifestyle she fully embraces now.

“Coming from a middle-class background, I’ve seen those around me struggle, and witnessing the profits of massive corporations during these tough times for the middle class is disheartening,” she shares.

By opting out of large corporations, Savegnago has been able to invest more in her community. She urges others to do the same. “We need to be more mindful about where we spend our money and whom we support,” she insists. “It’s crucial to nurture a stronger sense of community.”

If the Trump Administration’s proposals result in higher prices, Berman predicts that many will have no choice but to reduce their spending out of necessity. “At the end of the day, it’s about the pressures of late-stage capitalism. Many people aren’t earning enough; prices are too steep. We’re facing a housing crisis and a rising cost of living,” she clarifies. “People are waking up to the fact that the incoming Administration isn’t focused on lowering living costs, so they’re taking matters into their own hands by moving away from traditional capitalism.”

Belhouari believes that as more individuals seek to exert political influence, they will increasingly consider their spending habits. “Our political environment is closely linked with corporations that invest heavily in lobbying for politicians who champion their interests, often at the public’s expense,” she observes. “The reality is that the cost of this arrangement has become too high.”