There is a way out, although it might be challenging. You can do it!
A couple of years ago, my husband and I were battling financial stress. Bills were coming in, but we did not have enough money to pay for all of them, plus we had so many credit cards. So debt collectors started calling us. Financial problems caused us so much stress and anxiety.
I didn’t want to look at my bank account because I was afraid that I did not have enough money there. Guess what, because I had that fear and I kept thinking about it, then, that was what I got. A SHORTAGE of FUNDS!
Until one day, I was so tired of the feeling of not having enough. I told myself I didn’t deserve this kind of life. I am an intelligent, hard-working woman. There must be a way out of this. But how?
Then, I started learning about money and money mindset. Finally, things began to get better when I started to have a shift.
My husband and I are not where we want to be yet financially, but we are getting there.
Here are Some Steps that Help Us Feel Better About Our Finances.
1. Gather information. Get an accurate picture of your situation. It’s easy to make yourself more upset than necessary. Instead, ensure that you have a factual representation of what’s going on.
How much money are you making?
What are your bills?
How much debt do you have?
What resources are available to you?
2. Focus on solutions. Commit yourself to find answers. Don’t speak too much about your fear of not having enough but spend your time looking for, and working on, solutions.
3. Eliminate every unnecessary expense. Most people have several expenses that provide little to no value. Do you have a gym membership you never use? Magazine subscriptions? Expensive cell phone plan?
Eliminate every expense you don’t truly need. Of course, you must pay for your housing, utilities, food, medicine, and insurance. However, everything else is optional.
4. Determine what you can and cannot influence. Don’t spend most of your time worrying about things you can’t control. Focus instead on the things you can, like your thoughts, attitude, and actions. Everything else is out of your hands.
5. Determine your money leaks. When you’re under severe financial stress, it’s essential to know where you spend your money. Track them all so you can fix your money leaks.
6. Work on a plan to boost your income. If you had enough money, your financial stress would evaporate. There’s always a way to make more money if you’re committed to providing more value to the world.
You might want to get a second job or a side hustle. It might be time to start an online business or to look for a better-paying job.
7. Budget. Do you have a budget? Most people don’t. Choose where your money is going before you spend it. Make a spending plan and stick to it.
8. Find ways to relax. The solution to stress is to either remove the source of the stressor to relax. Plan relaxation time into your schedule each day. If you’re too stressed for too long, you’re likely to end up sick. Too much stress reduces your ability to function optimally.
Experiment with various relaxation methods to find out what works best for you. Some healthy options include listening to your favorite music, taking a warm bath, playing with your kids or pets, going for a walk, or hiking on a nature trail.
9. Change your Mindset about Money. Consciously or unconsciously, we have certain beliefs about money. These beliefs can affect our ability to earn and handle money. Understand your money mindset.
Financial stress is a leading cause of divorce, suicide, and many health issues.
Financial issues can be an overwhelming challenge. Ensure that you’re working with accurate information, scale back, boost your income, and make a plan. Ask for help if you need it.
My team is giving Financial Education and Financial Needs Analysis for Free. Email us at dollyoksman@yahoo.com or call us @ 480-466-5058 (leave a message). We will be happy to help you.
There is a way out, although it might be challenging. You can do it!
How about you? What are your strategies in handling your financial problems? Share your strategy in the comments.
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