Woohoo! Market’s climbing, climbing, climbing… Thank God! Bill Gates is probably worth more than Warren Buffet again. People stopped panting, began breathing. Still, warnings are everywhere – it ain’t over. Five minutes ago, the market cleared 10,000. Now, it’s back at 9,300. I HATE roller coasters…
But, I loved this article, partly because it offered some tips I’ve already suggested (hey, who doesn’t enjoy affirmation), but mostly because its #1 suggestion is a killer way to embrace frugality: Act like you lost your job. Whatever you’d cut then, cut it now so you can pile up cash for the financial turbulence ahead.
If it’s too late to “act like you lost your job,” this article summarizes options that may help. My suggestion: Don’t wait until you’re desperate. You are not a failure, a free-loader, or a freak because you need assistance. Remember, every bit of help you learn to accept now will extend the time-line before accept turns into require. Chances are, you already “paid it forward” when life was good. When things improve, give it back. That’s in $. Give it back now in time. Volunteer at food banks, shelters, Goodwill, your church, your school. They’ll be strained in the months ahead trying to meet the ever-expanding needs of people needing for the first time. Like you.
For those needing for the first time, you’re probably angry, confused, overwhelmed, embarrassed. Gotcha. Been there. All those times I smugly thought, “Not gonna happen to me.” No matter what tips and suggestions you implement, those feelings will eat you alive if you don’t add one more to your I’m-drowning-in-debt-I-need-money survival bag: Gratitude.
If you’re saying, “Oh come on, I’ve lost my job, I’m broke, I’m going bankrupt,” etc. etc. and think there’s nothing to be grateful for, think again.
You have eyes to see this and the education to read it. You have access to a computer and know how to surf the net. These are skills for finding a job. You’re breathing. You have family or friends. Or you don’t. All your body parts work. Or they don’t. The weather’s good. Or it isn’t. Personally, I think it’s getting cold. Some think this is the best time of year in AZ. Grateful me says, “At least I don’t have to worry about snow.”
Everything depends on your attitude. Be the down-trodden, sour, I-don’t-deserve-this-why-me? each day, or find 5, 10, 20 things to be grateful for and start each day reminding yourself of them. It’ll show. Truthfully, if you’re the one hiring, which face do you want to add to your team?
Vote November 4th. It’s our kid’, grandkids’, great-grandkids’ money…
(Sorry, ours is already gone!)
