Some of that is from stupid consumer debt, ok…a lot of it. Plenty has come from unexpected and ever-mounting medical bills.
There is the bad financial choices aspect, as in not understanding credit terms with necessary clarity.
Struggling to pay bills when we are broke
Is there a much bigger fear inducer?
We would do so many things differently had we been wiser (and perhaps with fewer feelings of entitlement. Mmm Hmmm).
You have your own reasons why your money isn’t going far enough, but I would bet, for most of us, our economy has at least tightened the belt somewhat. Whatever the reasons?
Fear is always a life-stealing slave driver. Especially when the money runs out.
Check out channels like Living On A Dime for people who get it, and have practical advice for the NOW.
1. Ah, Dave Ramsey’s program. I happen to believe in his system, but let’s get real. When there aren’t dollars left because you are so overspent, theory and practice can seem galaxies apart. There are countless financial advice books, columns, programs.
The bottom line is this: do what you can, get smarter, make better choices. And then? Give your mind a break. Dwelling on this all day and night, year after year has never once put another dollar in our pocket
2. Allow certain days to be bill days. When we know the money won’t go far enough, it is so important to not let the finances rule our thought lives. It can negatively impact relationships, detract from our health, steal our joy. When the bills come, put them in your box until payday.
When the fear creeps in on the days between, start a list of things to be grateful for. This isn’t some new-age hype. Most of us in the USA have more to be thankful for than we stop to recognize. It might have to be the smallest things, but that is good!
Start with them, it is impossible to start being truly grateful and stay worried. Eventually, peace will come
3. I have taken plenty of ribbing for this, but I will share my secret with you. For years on bill days, I played music. Not just any music, Disney Princess Classic Songs. Music that has made me happy since I was a little girl.
Create the environment when you DO pay bills that helps calm your nerves. For me, it is hard to have an anxiety attack while I was singing along with Cinderella. I am not ashamed 🙂
4. Come to terms with your priorities. For example, we chose to have me stay home with the kids as much as possible over the years. On paper, this has never worked. But 21 years later we are still alive and well. Have there been sacrifices? Sure, but to us, financial gain wasn’t worth the trade-off.
We have been broke, but we have almost always had a comfy bed, a warm shelter, and our kids have not known hunger and gone without their needs being met. There have been disappointing times when we have had to say “no” to them, but we believed that for us, the joy in our household was of far greater value than additional income could be
5. Give. The single greatest thing we have learned is that no matter how scary it is, giving is the key to peace. Learning to tithe has been an amazing experience. God doesn’t need your money, giving to him is a trust lesson for us. I promise. And if you really can’t give money? That is ok. Been there many times.
Give of what you can spare. Time, energy, attention. There are people who have it much harder, and giving to them keeps our focus on gratitude. Giving is the best gift for our spirit
Part of that can be calling a church for suggestions to find help in your area. Don’t be ashamed to ask for what you need. Check out “free” pages for your area on social media.
211arizona.org is a great example of places that are ready to offer advice, and hopefully immediate assistance if needed.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income (More money seldom fixes the root problem)
Matthew 6:31-33
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (God sees our needs. The answers might not be how we’d expect, but they’ll come)
Philippians 4:11-13
For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular, I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry, of facing either plenty or poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me. (Contentment is THE KEY)
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.
“At times, each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – Maya Angelou
God bless you in the meantime, to calm your nerves when the money is gone before the bills are paid♥.
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Ahhh…this is good stuff! I think we’ve all been there and done that. And in my case, my job only pays once a month, so it’s hard to make it stretch. Add in that I was paid early in December so that we would have that check before Christmas, and well, it sure makes for a long month in January! Thanks for sharing. (I’ll be passing this along to my readers as well.)
Hello Nicole, whew that must take some serious discipline! I hope it stretched further than even expected for the Christmas season :). Plus, thank you SO much for sharing with your readers, I appreciate that!
Ahhh…this is good stuff! I think we’ve all been there and done that. And in my case, my job only pays once a month, so it’s hard to make it stretch. Add in that I was paid early in December so that we would have that check before Christmas, and well, it sure makes for a long month in January! Thanks for sharing. (I’ll be passing this along to my readers as well.)
Hello Nicole, whew that must take some serious discipline! I hope it stretched further than even expected for the Christmas season :). Plus, thank you SO much for sharing with your readers, I appreciate that!