As lira struggles, Turkish newlyweds stockpile

Ezgi and Cagri Bektas Dag are newlyweds, but instead of relaxing on honeymoon, they spend their time stockpiling foods like pasta and cooking oil.

Because of Turkey's currency crisis and rampant inflation, the couple are afraid they won't be able to provide for any future children.

Married for six months now, they decided to launch a YouTube channel to share their experiences.

Ezgi, a teacher in the western Izmir province, says they spend hours researching ever-changing prices.

"Honestly, I feel really, really sad because I say to myself, we could have traveled and seen other places instead of spending so much money. We are newlyweds, but even though we have the opportunity to travel, we stay home. Instead of spending all that money on travel, we could buy another pack of pasta, more milk or tea."

The Turkish lira has shed 44% of its value against the dollar this year, rattling the economy and hitting the finances of many Turks.

Critics blame President Tayyip Erdogan's unorthodox plan to keep interest rates low despite inflation that's risen above 21%, and could soar past 30% next year.

The Dags make approximately 8,000 lira, or $650, a month and spend about half of it on groceries.

"At first, when we began shooting these (videos), we wondered whether we what we were doing was nice. We thought people might judge us. But we realized they shouldn't judge us. They should judge those who put us in this position in the first place."

On Monday (December 20), Erdogan unveiled a plan that would protect local currency savings against market fluctuations, prompting a historic rally in the lira as Turks sold dollars. But many fear it won't stabilize things for long.