Break free from Financial Stress
Today’s economic conditions call for some financial stress relief. The current state of the economy is due to excesses of lifestyle and government spending out of control. We need to get back to fiscal conservatism both personally and governmentally. By not living on the edge financially, we could avoid much of today’s fiscal woes and stresses. Personal and government responsibility must be acknowledged if we are to overcome the irresponsible mess we have created.
Personally we should all be debt free except for a mortgage. We should have a significant reserve fund to weather unexpected expenses and job layoffs – nothing is guaranteed. Taking the equity out of one’s house is a bad financial move. Expecting an unending rise in the housing market is just plain ignorant. Credit card debt and excesses not paid for in cash are all ingredients to a financial meltdown. We must take responsibility and make positive inroads to owning up to and paying off our debts.
What we can do:
* Stop buying on credit – pay cash or you can’t afford it
* Stop pulling equity out of our homes for toys and excesses
* Live within a budget, apply the rest to debt and reserve
* You don’t need a new car payment – hang on to car longer
* Don’t try to keep up with the Jones
* Stop buying expensive non-necessities
* $100+ cable – pare down services
* $100+ cell phone service necessary?
* $5 coffee drinks necessary?
* Eat out less, pack a lunch for work
* Beat the recession blues with freelancing jobs
Interest payments will consume your wealth with not much to show for it. Buckle down and live frugally until you have taken control of your finances, that is the best financial stress relief you can have. Write down every dollar you spend for a month and you will be amazed how much you are pissing away. Take the savings from the above list and apply it to your debts. You will be amazed how fast you can make inroads on paying off your debts.