Discouragement plagues all of us from time to time. If you’re frustrated with your situation—whether it’s financial, family, work, or just basic uncertainty about the future—there are a few things you can do to counter these feelings and attitudes. The most important thing is to know that it won’t last forever.
Let’s say your neighbor just got a fabulous, brand new vehicle. Feelings of desire and envy overwhelm you. There was a time when you started looking for a way to get a new car right away. But things are different now. You have a new set of values. You will no longer make financial decisions impulsively.
A car that you have already paid for and meets your family’s current needs. But still the feelings bubble up. Once you recognize them, start deleting!
Replace these destructive attitudes with thoughts of paying cash for your next vehicle—not paying huge monthly payments, not paying triple the insurance premiums, not paying $400 in annual registration fees, not earning more than $600 per 50,000 miles.
You can choose to counter negative attitudes by quickly replacing them with positive ones. Here are some examples:
— I never have enough money. I am so grateful for a regular paycheck.
— It’s not my fault. Even though I wasn’t 100% to blame, I take full responsibility — I’ll find a way!
— This is too difficult. That’s challenging!
— I want it now! Waiting builds my character.
No matter what happens, things are not hopeless. Consider some things you can do starting now—today—to get back on track:
DEVELOP YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTES
Your attitude—the way you respond to life and all its circumstances—is more important than anything else. It is more important than your past struggles or achievements than your education or experience.
It is more important than how much money you have, how much you owe, what you would like to do or where you would like to go. When you face tough times, your attitude will either be your greatest asset or your worst contribution.
The key to changing your attitude is to reprogram your mind. What you focus on is what you will move towards.
EVALUATE YOUR RESOURCES
Find out exactly what you earn, what you own and what you owe.
what insurance do you have How long would it take for your unemployment benefits to kick in? Do you have enough money to bridge the gap?
LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS
It’s a simple strategy: Spend less than you earn. Stop living paycheck to paycheck. Start swimming against the tide of the consumer credit culture that says you can have it all while allowing you to consistently spend more than you earn.
A good rule of thumb: Adjust your lifestyle to fit within 80% of your income. Start NOW and cut a little from every area of your spending. Take it one step at a time. You will be surprised how quickly your financial situation will change for the better.
BUILD YOUR NEST EGG
No matter where you live or work, the future is uncertain. You never know when you and your income will be temporarily separated. Start now and collect money. Don’t stop until you’ve scraped off enough to pay your bills for three full months (six is better). Then let it go. Do not borrow from him or play with him in any way. This is a sacred amount because it could mean the difference between survival and disaster in lean times.
PUT A COVER ON YOUR STRESS
Stress is not only dangerous to your health, but it can also make otherwise bearable life events intolerable.
Stress clouds your judgment and makes you more prone to rash and foolish financial decisions. Relieving the stress in your life will help clear your mind so you can manage your finances calmly and intelligently.
For every thing that goes wrong, there are 100 blessings. Count them.
BREAK YOURSELF OUT
If your employer downsizes, some will lose their jobs. And many won’t. Make sure you are one of the last.
Keep your spending account well below your allowance. Don’t complain, but instead develop authentic gratitude for your work. Don’t whine, demand or play politics in the workplace. No Instagram on business time. Keep a low profile. Do more than is required without asking for credit.
AVOID SCAMS
They are a natural consequence of a stunted economy. When you’re going through tough times, brace yourself for an onslaught. You’ll be able to upgrade a small room in your home with all the pre-approved credit card offers, loans and get-rich-quick “opportunities”.
Run away from anything that promises instant wealth with a little work. Avoid new loans as this will lead to new debt.
NEVER FORGET
Hard times make us stronger. Hard times don’t last, but tough people do. Brace yourselves!
Marie invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.comwhere this column is archived along with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments on “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder EverydayCheapskate.comfrugal living blog and author of “Debt Secured Life”.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Leave a Reply