Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes you have to deal with unfortunate situations and trying times. One of these realities is going through financial hardship and having to worry about money.
Instead of focusing on the negative, concentrate on what you can do to improve your situation and get by for now. Keep in mind that money troubles often come and go and may only be temporary. Remember that you have options and the ability to pull yourself out of a slump if you take the right approach and have the right mindset.
Look for Work
One tip for surviving financial hardship is to stay proactive and look for other work. You may be struggling with your finances because you lost your job or you took a pay cut. No matter the reason, stay confident that there’s a role better suited for you that will pay you for your skills. Take control of your life by finding a position that you enjoy doing, and that will bring in a comfortable income. There are options out there, but you have to be willing to seek them out and start applying for jobs in your realm of expertise. There are additional ways to make money, too, such as getting a side gig or starting a blog.
Revisit Your Budget
Now is an excellent time to revisit and learn how to manage your household budget, and adjust it according to your current circumstances. You can survive financial hardship by knowing what money is going out and coming in each month. It may mean you have to cut back on miscellaneous or entertainment expenses for a while as you recover. It’s best that you’re honest with yourself about how much money you have to work with to help you ensure you’re still able to pay your bills on time.
Find Ways to Save
You can also get through financial hardship by finding ways to save yourself money. For example, maybe you’re paying a lot for car insurance when in reality you don’t even drive that far or much each day. In this case, there may be a more reasonable option for you that is a better fit for your lifestyle. Take time to read reviews from Metromile customers and reasons why people are switching over to this company. A pay-per-mile insurance model may be what you need to help you save right now. Also, you might want to consider joining a cheaper gym and shopping at consignment stores so you can put more money back in your pocket.
Prioritize Your Bills & Expenses
There may be some bills that can wait and aren’t due immediately. While before, maybe you paid your bills ahead of time so that you didn’t forget about them. Instead, prioritize your bills and expenses and only spend what’s necessary and put off the ones due at a later date. Also, check into your options for paying your bills such as if any of the places you owe offer payment plans or can extend the deadline for you.
Tap into Your Emergency Fund
Hopefully, you’ve been saving a little money on the side over the years for emergencies or other reasons. The reality is that while you may not want to use these funds, it might be necessary for your current situation. Therefore, you can survive financial hardship by tapping into your emergency fund for any immediate needs. It’s there for a reason and maybe what you require to get you through your trying times. Once you work through your current hardship, keep on saving and putting money aside for any future unexpected expenses and in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
Ask for Help
You should never be too proud or shy and embarrassed to ask for help from others. You can survive financial hardship by reaching out to family and friends who you have a strong relationship with and trust. Come up with a game plan for paying any money you borrow back and then stay true to your word. Those who you’re close to won’t likely think twice about pitching in and making sure you’re able to put food on the table for your family.
Stay Positive & Hopeful
Most importantly, stay positive and hopeful during your financial hardship period. Remind yourself that it’s a temporary situation and that there are ways out of it. If you get down on yourself and fail to take control of the circumstances, then you may make it worse for yourself. Wake up each day focused on what you can do to get by for now and then hopefully thrive in the future.
