How To Do Just About Everything
By parvenue
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It's all around us. You turn on the news or read the paper or listen to The President's State of the Union address and you begin to freak out! Another recession coming? We all worry about how we'll get through this time around. And if you're like me, you know that recession means cutback and for me that translates into dollars and cents and sometimes keeps us from doing the things in life to keep a positive outlook and cash flow. Here are some tips to keep the chance of a recession from getting you down.
Okay, you've just heard the State of the Union address and the President is telling us that everything is fine, or going to be fine. But you hear the economists telling us that the Economic Stimulus plan is a dud and now the government is handing out money so the public will spend it. This doesn't look good.
Second: In any economic collapse, your first worry is about finances or maybe you are afraid you might lose your job, or your unemployment will run out. And perhaps this kind of worry is keeping you up at night. The one sure fire method is to look at your finances and figure out what is going on? Create a spread sheet, or list on paper all your debts and expenses. What will happen if you or your spouse or both of you lose your jobs? Where can you turn? How will you survive?
Now you're saying, "Great Richard, now I'm even more upset!" Okay, maybe after creating this list you are a bit upset. But listen, now we're at the step where we come up with a "contingency plan." Now you're asking, "A what?" Well, think of it this way, if there were a fire in your house or building or at work, you'd have a way of getting out, right? I mean, most people in America have a way of escaping a fire, or what to do in the event of a Tornado, or Hurricaine. So let's think of it this way, let us think of the recession or chance of it as a giant storm, an economic storm if you will. Now, sit down with pencil and paper or computer and come up with some viable solutions of what you can do to safe guard yourself against economic collapse.
Once you have your plan in place on paper, begin putting it in action. If you are going to begin saving money by conserving on paper products or buying less pairs of shoes, or paying off your debts, put it into action. Whatever your plan is. Maybe you've decided that until you know for certain what is going on with the economy you will drive your car less to save on gasoline, burn wood in the fireplace to save on heating oil, eat meat once a week instead of three times a week, walk more and quit the health club, eat at home instead of going out, put off taking a family vacation, spend more time doing free things...than do these things and set up a safe guard account.
Turn off the news. Stop reading the papers. Now you may say to yourself, "but isn't that running from the problem?" Listen, once you have a plan to safeguard yourself financially - this will give you some peace of mind. But if you continually hear the messages of gloom and doom around you, this will only make matters worse. Remember, you have a plan. Maybe your plan involves selling your house, or taking in laundry or boarders, if you have a plan, it will help you to keep from worrying.
Plant a garden. Physical activity helps to take out the worry. If you plant a garden and learn how to freeze and can produce you will have food that you can rely on. Remember the more self reliant you are, the better. If not a garden, do something else creative that will help you on the way to your goals of feeling better about how you'll take care of yourself in the upcoming financial crisis.
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WriterGig said
on 2/11/2008 Well, "stop spending money" is not sage advice because if everyone stops spending, there's no money in the economy. Secondly, we all need things, especially food, housing and transportation. Better advice is to spend your money wisely and look for bargains, spending first on necessities.