The holidays are over. Shopping and spending money throughout the holiday season can be fun. But now the bills will start coming due. Maybe it’s time to get back to reality.
Costs are going up everywhere. Budgets are tight. This might be a good time to reassess your finances. Money matters can sometimes be confusing. But there’s no time like the present to put pencil to paper and crunch the numbers.
When things get difficult financially, there will always be some things beyond one’s control. And a feeling of anxiety can result from situations that are out of control. But there is hope. It is possible to survive a difficult financial situation. Try a few of these financially practical suggestions:
• Know where your money goes.
• Keep a daily spending diary.
• Control what you can.
• Control how you spend your own money.
• Set specific financial goals.
• Start an “emergency” fund just in case.
• Reduce spending.
• Cut back on alcohol, cigarettes, and unnecessary supermarket incidentals.
• Plan healthy meals, cook, and eat at home.
• Limit shopping time.
• Use coupons and buy generic items.
• Take lunches to school and work.
• Shop garage sales and bargain/thrift stores.
• Shop the Salvation Army.
• Stop putting purchases on credit.
• Stay healthy, exercise, and drive sensibly.
These may seem like simple suggestions, but they are things one can control. Practicing some or all of these suggestions might also help to lower one’s anxiety when dealing with financial stress.
Living within or below your financial means is really the only way to live. It’s responsible. It shows a certain financial maturity. And it just might prevent someone from going over the financial cliff without a parachute.
