Ideas to Keep Upbeat in a Down Economy
By Angela Baca
Photo: © Kati Molin / Dreamstime
 Is your local TV news full of stories about people losing their business or their home? It is not easy to miss widespread media coverage of troubled families and the failing economy. It was even the focus of the 2008 presidential election. What matters most to you is what you are doing to respond to the economic problems while you continue living your life. Here are a few ideas for fighting the sour economy one day at a time.
1. Make a budget and stick to it. You can find thousands of ideas on the Internet on how to save money in your household budget. Design a budget plan that works for your family. After you’ve got a plan, sticking to it is your key to fighting your economic situation.
2. Get back to family time. Having less spending money gives you more quality time to stay home |
with your family. If you can accept your present economic situation, you can focus your energy on other things, like spending time with family and doing your hobbies.
3. Look for better employment. A sour economy is not a reason to give up on finding your first job, your second job, or your next job so that you can provide for you or your family. The connections that you make now may lead you to a better situation in a few months or even a couple years. Don’t give up the job search just because it is a difficult job market.
4. Develop an encouraging motto. A great motto for facing economic challenges is, “I will take my financial problems one day at a time and I will not let them ruin my quality of life.” Keep in mind that the poor economy is a cycle that economies go through periodically. Taking one day at a time is a strategy for dealing with problems that will keep you from becoming overwhelmed. So, keep focusing on the positive things in your life while you make an effort to improve your situation. When the economy improves, you will be poised to live a more economical lifestyle and you will have a mindset that focuses on solutions instead of problems. |
