The combined shock of supply and demand due to covid-19 pandemic has created a huge shift in consumer behavior in recent history, while millions of households are exposed to material hardship like housing instability and food insecurity. In this cross-sectional study, we have conducted a survey from 385 households in 2023 to investigate the pandemic effect on self-reported consumer spending and their experience of hardship in Lahore. For collection of data, we have used convenience sampling technique. We collected the data through structured questionnaires for empirical analysis. The multinomial logistic regression was used by using SPSS. Moreover, demographic statistics, descriptive statistics and correlation were also determined by using SPSS. The objectives of this study were to examine the before and after impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household spending patterns and financial hardship. The result of the study show that gender was a significant predictor in shaping spending patterns, suggesting that it may influence household expenditure during the pandemic. Moreover, dependents, qualification, enrollment during pandemic, monthly income, employment status, income during pandemic and material hardship all are associated with increase odds of being in this category of expenditure. The results are statistically significant. These findings underscore the importance of targeted policies and interventions to address the challenges faced by vulnerable households and to develop women’s empowerment on the topic of crises, crises management and to strengthen the role of women as part of recovery strategy during COVID-19 crises. Policymakers should consider implementing measures to support income instability, provide financial assistance, enhance sustainable women’s empowerment and ensure equitable access to essential resources and services. Government should Enhance and expand social protection program to provide targeted support to vulnerable groups and also ensure the adequate assistance reaches to the needy people and also ensure food security by strengthening agriculture policies via promoting sustainable farming practices and invest in infrastructure to reduce post-harvest damage.