The stock market is sliding to a level we know not what. Prices at the stores are rising. Jobs are being lost by men and women who thought they had secure employment. Others will have their hours cut because those businesses have lost income. People with medical problems from all this stress fill hospitals and doctor’s offices. Our elected officials seem to be making matters worse than better. What can we the little people do?
Now is not the time to spend that income tax check on that fancy dinner at an expensive restaurant. Nor is it time to buy a new car or home.
I’m not a big picture political type of guy. I can suggest a few things that will help us weather the storm that is already upon us. Back in 2012, I wrote The Cussins Family Shopping Guide. (You can still get it on Kindle) In it, I wrote of ways my family tightened our budget, during the Great Recession of 2008. Many of those recommendations for saving money or being aware of how to adjust one’s lifestyle hold true today.
There are some practical things we can do on our own.
- When in the store, ask ourselves, do we really need that item or can we find it somewhere cheaper?
- A lot of used items like clothing, books, and even auto parts can be big saving and serve their purpose just as well.
- Electric bills and water bills can be cut by being more conservative with their usage.
Through all the upcoming hard times, there is one important thing we must continue doing. That is our interaction with others. The number one way to end up in the hospital or worse is by withdrawing from your friends and family. The lowest points of my health were when I withdrew and became more isolated.
In the coming weeks, I plan to publish more detailed tips on surviving our current economy.
