Top 10 Financial Skills That Will Carry You Through Challenging Times
The ability to survive on a modest income is a skill. However, it’s a skill that could be
useful for anyone, especially in these uncertain economic times. Even if you’re great
with money in general, you might not have the expertise to live on a low income, and
such expertise could come in handy.
Practice these skills and you’ll be prepared for any financial challenge:
Be able to differentiate between wants and needs. What you consider to be a
need will change when financial resources are scarcer. Before spending any
money, ask yourself if the item or service is a true need or a want.
Save anyway. Saving is often a challenge during good times. It’s even more
challenging when money is limited. It’s still important to save a portion of any
income.
Know how to budget and have discipline. Just about anyone can create a
budget, but it’s sticking with the budget that’s hard. It takes practice and
discipline. It’s no fun to barely scrape by each month, but a budget makes it
possible. It also highlights the little ways to get ahead each month.
Use your car as little as possible. It costs money to use an automobile. Combine
shopping trips. Create a carpool to minimize driving to work. If possible, use a
bike or walk.
Find an additional source of income. A part-time job can be a big help. There are
many things you can do on your own instead of seeking additional employment. You can rent out your car, rent a room in your home, buy and sell items on
Craig’s List, or any number of other activities.
Learn to eat inexpensively. A bag of rice costs less than a dollar. Chicken leg
quarters are less than $0.70/lb. Choose the least expensive type of fruit. Food is
a considerable expense for most families. It’s also an expense that’s easy to
minimize.
Hit the local food bank. Most cities, towns, and counties have one or more
food banks. You typically can’t get enough to satisfy all of your food needs,
but f 50%.
Purchase used clothing. Use clothing stores are everywhere. For example,
Goodwill sells most of its clothes for slightly over $4. The first Saturday of each
month is half-price.
Be aware of all the public assistance programs. Medicaid, welfare, food
stamps, heating subsidies, and the Affordable Care Act are just a few programs
that are available in most areas. If you’re used to living a middle-class lifestyle,
you might not have the slightest idea of how to take advantage of these
programs. Become familiar with what all is available in your area.
Most areas have employment assistance or job training programs to help
you find work.
You can also receive a big tax break if your income falls below certain
levels.
9. Find inexpensive healthcare. Often pharmacies or bigger stores, like Walmart,
have an inexpensive clinic. You might be able to find a free clinic if you do some
research.
Find less expensive housing. The citizens of the United States enjoy some of
the most spacious living quarters in the world. In many countries, it’s not
uncommon for ten or more people to share a small apartment. You can
probably find a less expensive place to live that will work.
Surviving during challenging financial times requires a new way of viewing money
and the world. The less money you have, the more scrutiny each dollar requires before
it’s spent. If you find yourself with less income than you’re accustomed to, it’s
important to aggressively conserve at every opportunity. Challenging times require a
new set of skills.
