COPING IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

A one-income household can be a stressful phenomenon, especially if transitioning from a two-fold income situation. The responsibility of survival for you and your household rests with you. For what it’s worth… you are not alone…you always have the “Greater One” in you and operating through you.

You can do this!!!!

Transitioning and better being able to cope with a reduced income can be accomplished by incorporating the following tips.

1. Rest. Eat Well, Exercise- Keeping yourself as healthy as possible allows your mind to flow freely. One would naturally think that good life habits have nothing to do with finances, but on the contrary, when you are operating at an optimal level, you are more likely to make sound decisions, financial, and otherwise.

2. Revisit Your Budget and “Cut the Fat”- “Cutting the fat” is sometimes easier said than done, but in times of crisis, coping and surviving means making adjustments and making change. Take a close look at wants versus needs and go from there. Perhaps simple things like doing your hair and nails at home; or eating left-overs at least 2 nights a week instead of cooking; or taking lunch to work instead of buying food daily can make small dents that will eventually become big strides. Taking small bite-sized steps instead of a drastic sledgehammer to your finances may be more manageable for you. In the long run savings of $20 here and there can add up to hundreds saved at the end of the month and savings at the end of the year.

3. Seek Help- Assistance can come in many forms. By whatever means (legal means) necessary, you must steer the course for your family’s financial well-being. Even if this means accepting outside help set-up by social and governmental institutions. Additionally, there are non-profit organizations that have regular clothes and food drives. Take advantage of those giveaways. Seek assistance from the church community, some of which have ministries set up to give donations, monetary or otherwise, to the less fortunate. Help can also mean asking a close friend or relative to watch your kids while you take on a few extra hours at work. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. As the saying goes “closed mouths don’t get fed”.

4. Be creative and think outside the box- to make extra money, sometimes you just need to be creative. Delve into your God-given talents and use it to start making money. Sell unused gadgets, toys, and clothing. Set-up services to do for others what they don’t want to or have no time to do for themselves.

Coping Mechanisms are not one-size fits all by any means, especially when life throws you curve balls. Financial stress can be debilitating to relationships, peace of mind and over all well-being.

Start now making meaningful choices that effects your life today and your future!!

*  ‘DOLLA$ & CENT$’ Featured in Issue 6 of  GEEMS Lifestyle Magazine

About the Author

Snjezana Andrews, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holding a Master’s in Business Management and dual bachelor’s Degrees; one in Finance and the other in Accounting. Snjezana is a Senior Auditor with top international brand Pricewaterhouse Coopers. She has several entrepreneurial pursuits that have  been successfully operating for over a decade. She is an Executive Board Treasurer for United Way Turks and Caicos, one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations and sits as Executive Council member of Turks & Caicos Society of Professional Accountants. Snjezana is married and has 4 beautiful children. 

By Snjezana Andrews