GETTING THROUGH FINANCIALLY TOUGH TIMES
We all go through the tough financial times at one point or another. And although I’m not speaking financial disaster upon you or your family I am a believer in being as prepared as possible. And the better prepared you are, the less painful it can be.
Here are some tips for getting through financial uncertainty with your financial life, and sanity intact.
It will get better
It’s important to stay positive and keep believing things will get better, because hope is a motivating force that will help you take the necessary steps to move forward. In order to keep a positive attitude you’ve got to surround yourself with financially positive people.
When you don’t think you’re making much progress, your community of supporters can remind you to keep an upbeat attitude so you’ll keep believing that each day is a new opportunity for things to get better.
Know who you can trust
If you’re going through a trial, I’m not here to give you simple Christian platitudes or to promise that you can avoid the pain of a trial, but I do know who you can trust…
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:6-7]
In addition, if you have a few people in your life you can trust no matter what, they will be a tremendous help during tough times. Your friends and family can remind you to focus on what’s important and they won’t distract you into feeling sorry for yourself. The people you trust can be your greatest collaborators to keep you on track, and will give you the motivation you need during the tough times.
Have a plan ahead of time
Since tough times can occur at times, it’s important to have a plan for when things aren’t so good, and even rehearse it (like a fire drill). What would you do if your car had major mechanical problems that needed to be repaired? What would you do if you had a sudden injury or illness that required long-term medical care? What if a family member or friend needs help, or you lose your job?
Preparing for the unexpected ahead of time enables you to get through the financial ups-and-downs much more smoothly. Instead of making decisions on the fly, you and your family will be prepared to handle all the issues with confidence — and a level head.
Don’t stress over what you can’t control
Just as you can’t control whether it’s going to rain tomorrow, you can’t control the economy or the job market. The world changes daily, and that’s not something you can control.
So instead of stressing over the things you can’t control, focus on what you can control. Your personal finances and goals are within your realm of control and they can answer to you if you know how to keep things in perspective. This strategy will enable you to build confidence while reducing stress.
Make things easier for yourself
A little organization can go a long way. Things like using a budget spreadsheet or simply using cash for your purchases can make things a lot easier on yourself.
Your finances don’t need to be overly complicated. Make use of other tools and tactics to keep your finances on track and running smoothly when you don’t have time or energy to think about them.
Place a priority on saving
If you’ve been living paycheck to paycheck and maxing out your credit cards, you know how stressful that feels. But if you have a small emergency savings fund built up — even if it’s only a few hundred dollars — you feel more at ease and are able to tackle some financial emergencies that pop up.
Saving $5 here and $10 there will do wonders for your bank balance, and it will help you start living within your means. You have to place a priority on saving for the future, and making sacrifices wherever you can. This will give you a head start if tough times come knocking.
With forethought and preparation you can prepare yourself for the uncertain financial times that might arise.