Just a year ago it was all about making money. Now it’s about saving it. A sharp inflation and an even steeper devaluation of the rouble are forcing many to look for financial advice – an area that in recent months seems to have attracted many unscrupulous money makers.

Training is Alyona Nikitina’s bread and butter. A financial consultant with several years of experience, she says recently she’s been competing against hired actors who simply recite chapters from Wikipedia, while charging from $30 to $300 per person.

“Crisis is the most popular word these days. And swindlers know they can make money on people’s fears,” Alyona explains.

Some are just too tired of all the fears. Musician Aleksandr Shulgin lost millions during previous crises. Now he says he heeds only to the guidance of supreme forces, which comes free of charge.

“Everything is decided by our Lord,” Sulgin says, “If you are stripped of some material goods – that means you simply don’t need them. They’re not yours. Just forget and move on.”