I know, right now, things are the worst that any one person has seen more than likely in their lifetime. The old timers still with us can remember the Great Depression, and they will comfort you with their stories of that momentous time; seek them out they can be so knowledgeable and helpful.
We are all trying our hardest to make the all mighty buck go as far as it can go.
Paying ones bills seems like a pie in the sky idea.
But the way one has to tackle the enormity of any one problem is to break it down into smaller manageable amounts.
One only can do what is possible so start there.
Take inventory of what you have money wise each month, and then get out those bills and break them down into what is an absolute necessary to pay and what can wait.
The ones that can wait are usually items that you can probably get rid of too once you can manage to pay them off, like those credit cards, cash is better and accepted worldwide.
Start with housing, rent or mortgage; look at it with the possibility of somehow changing it by either moving or renegotiating. To be honest most leasing agents and banks will work with you.
Utilities are next; think of ways of trying to use less trying to be greener and not wasteful. I do know that you in the north have had dreadfully cold weather, and must use heat do not freeze! But spring is right around the corner and perhaps think about opening those windows, and drying clothes and sheets on lines instead of in your dryers.
Do you really need cable?
No, use one TV with a converter, money saved there.
Cut up those credit cards, and then pay the one with the highest interest off first, doing it by paying twice the minimum asked for.
Make sure you go to work and enjoy it.
That job is your lifeline, and you need it.
See if anyone at work lives nearby and carpool to share expenses.
Brown bag it instead of buying lunch, this is usually more healthful anyway. And bring your own mug and coffee with you for the trip; fill it with office coffee for the trip home.
Any vices like smoking or drinking should either be discontinued by going to a free hospital run clinic for smoking or AA if drinking alcohol is a more serious problem.
Otherwise, just reduce your wine or beer consumption.
Smoking has no benefits so quit.
Walk for exercise and stress reduction after dinner or early before work, since it is free and extremely healthful.
Get books from your library as additional entertainment for free and you will be happier by sharpening your mind.
They also have music and movies too for free.
Try networking with family and friends to discuss what they are doing in this horrible economy, and remind each other that you are there for moral if not financial support.
We need our people more than ever to keeping up our chins if nothing else.
You can have a monthly pot luck dinner to meet with each other, so you can share food and ideas.
Start a vegetable garden according to whatever season it is possible in your area and then trade seeds and ideas for crops, soil and watering etc. with your network or the local college agricultural extension; most are free for advice, but do have some classes too.
Back to our blessings, we all know how important it is to never forget about those and think of what you are thankful for daily, no negativity, think happy positive thoughts and ideas for this practice, which should be incorporated into your daily discussions within your family group.
Even if you are alone never forgetting all those positives in your life, no one is truly alone if they believe in something even if it is just believing in yourself.
No one can tell anyone what to believe in but we all know that we need to have some things to hang onto when things get this bad.
So whatever it takes … rule of thumb is to start small and build… on just about any difficult job you want to tackle, literally physically or emotionally, and somehow it will get done.
Who am I to tell you?
Someone who’s been there before it was something for the masses, and I am nearly back from the brink, and I will try daily to never go there again.
We are managing but want to do better too.
So I bid you all good night and to all count those blessings and I will too!
Speaking My Mind is about: Tobi, who is a middle aged, no, oh all right a slightly over the hill woman with all the imperfections that go with that, and this concerns her daily life's perceptions and experiences.
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