HELP MY LIFE IS A WRECK; NOW WHAT?
Posted by Barb on August 30th, 2010Money Management for the OVERWHELMED
EXCITING NEWS: I was selected to deliver a national training in San Francisco this November entitled: Personal Finance Solutions for Busy Mental Health Professionals. This 3 hour workshop includes material from my upcoming eBook. Stay tuned to get first crack at the NEW EBOOK. And it’s FREE to my readers.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” William James
Stress and adversity hit us all. What defines a person of strength is how she/he handles the challenges. Follow William James’ advice, choose calm thoughts, and tackle one task at a time.
MAIN TOPIC: THINGS AREN’T GOING AS PLANNED
Have you ever felt like the s—t is hitting the fan? At every corner there is a new problem or difficulty to contend with? All of your plans and expectations are in the toilet!
Welcome to my world. There are a lot of stressors in play now-not really financial – but other things going wrong ALL AT ONCE. Unfortunately, when things go wrong, we still need to go on living and keep up with our responsibilities, especially our financial ones. What happens if in the midst of chaos, you let your finances go on the back burner? …….TROUBLE FOLLOWS…. Fees, interest, and more expenses make things WORSE.
This article is for those times when EVERYTHING SEEMS TOO MUCH. When your mind is consumed with lots of other things, do the bare minimum. Keep focused, don’t freak out, and only do what’s necessary.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: READ THIS IN TIMES OF STRESS & CRISIS
Be in the present. I know your mind is going in all different directions, but you can’t concentrate with too much stimuli. Deal with the most important task first.
Take a deep breath. No, really, do it. Now, take another one.
During times of stress, your goal is this; do only these 4 money tasks.
- Pay all bills on time.
- Continue with debt repayments, pay more than the minimum.
- Continue to keep track of your money in your pocket and in your accounts.
- Maintain adequate balances to avoid fees in your accounts.
THAT’S IT. NOTHING MORE. Or maybe you could smile and think about something funny, like penguins.
When things get crazy, slow down and SIMPLIFY. But don’t forget basic money management. If you do, MORE STRESS WILL FOLLOW.
Read more about this topic at Funny about Money in Getting over it, Strategies to Conquer Stress and Money.
Add to the conversation. How do you deal with stressful and overwhelming times? What are the tricks that work for you?
ACTION STEP:
Get a notebook and label it: “(your name) Personal Finance” and keep it by the computer. Use it to keep all of your personal finance goals, thoughts, activities, and plans.
Take a moment to slow down and follow the 4 steps.
BarbaraFriedbergPersonalFinance Around Web
I am honored to have my work showcased at these sites recently. Why not stop by the CARNIVALS and round ups to check out the fine articles?
Carnival of Personal Finance at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff published No Brainer Money Management for College Students
KNS Financial referenced IF you Need Extra Money; Do not do this, on his site last week.
Dividend Monk and Invest it Wisely both included The Best of BarbaraFriedbergPersonalFinance; 6 Month Anniversary Edition in their round ups this week.
BarbaraFriedbergPersonalFinance Around Web
I am honored to have my work showcased at these sites recently. Why not stop by the CARNIVALS and round ups to check out the fine articles?
Carnival of Personal Finance at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff published No Brainer Money Management for College Students
KNS Financial referenced IF you Need Extra Money; Do not do this, on his site last week.
Dividend Monk and Invest it Wisely both included The Best of BarbaraFriedbergPersonalFinance; 6 Month Anniversary Edition in their round ups this week.
YAKEZIE PERSONAL FINANCE BLOGS
After every article for the next several weeks, you will be introduced to several Personal Finance web sites in the Yakezie network. Each one has their own unique voice and style. The consistency in all is their desire to help others. Consider visiting a few each day!
Suburban Dollar
Sustainable Life Blog
Sweating the Big Stuff
The Amateur Financier
The Centsible Life
The Consumer Boomer








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