How to SURVIVE this economy
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The toughest part about a down economy is the UNCERTAINTY. Turn off the news, stop reading the papers and take care of yourself. NOW is the time to button down and take care of yourself and loved ones. That's not to say you should be selfish! Helping others can be very uplifting and hopeful, and it makes YOU feel good!
STOP blaming others and STOP trusting someone else to fix everything. YOU are the only one that really matters when you think about it. YOU and YOUR life. It's inside of you, the answer. If you take care of YOU, your loved ones and YOUR finances, everything will work out.
If EVERYONE took that attitude, WE would ALL be okay!
Right? - 2
Now that you understand taking care of yourself and your life is the key, it's time to get things under control.
Are you doing okay financially? Is you company doing well and you are making enough money to pay your bills? Good for you! Maintain that advantage by trimming expenses and creating a financial buffer by following along.
If you are out of work or barely treading water financially, don't despair! The answer is SIMPLE: trim costs and work harder. Handouts are only a temporary helping hand, STAND UP and BE STRONG!
Sit down and make a list of ALL of your bills. List each item: Mortgage or Rent, Utilities, Food, Etc. Be specific, write each item down. Break FOOD for example, into separate categories: groceries, trips to the store in between, eating out, coffee, etc. Make columns and write in the EXACT amount you spend. A ledger or spiral bound notebook works best.
Now, add up everything and subtract from your income. Is it positive or negative? - 3
If you have money left over each month, good job! Time to contribute more to savings or help other friends and family if you can. If it's negative, welcome to the club!
Many times, you can simply trim the "Fat" to make ends meet. No more BUYING your morning coffee! Bring a travel mug from home or start a coffee fund at work. Stop eating out for lunch every day and "Brown Bag" it! At home, turn down the thermostat and reduce cable TV to BASIC 20 channels for a while. See if a Bus pass or Train Pass is cheaper than Gas, Parking and maybe even your car payment and insurance.
Finally, many times the ONLY answer is MORE MONEY. If you are on Unemployment, it's a tough call. You are not supposed to work and collect unemployment. But, staying home with kids can save child care.
Alternative ways to make money: EHOW, Ebay, Craigslist, Odd Jobs for neighbors, Delivering newspapers, a part time job, even starting your own business! I know someone who sews outfits for Premature babies for extra money! - 4
Keep your chin up, tell people that you love them and PRESS ON! Be an adult and be responsible. The hard fact of life is this: NOBODY is going to do it FOR YOU! Period. No Stimulus plan, assistance or World event is going to pave YOUR streets with GOLD! You have to find out what works for YOU, and DO IT.
Take care of yourself, take a bath, relax, get a massage, take a 4 hour break once a week where it's just relaxing and de-compressing. YOU need it and deserve it. Just don't take a 6 month break watching re-runs and expecting someone else to fix YOUR problems.
Stay positive and pull yourself up.... this won't last forever! And, after every downturn comes a time of PROSPERITY! Get ready by taking care of YOU and YOUR LIFE!
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