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The Secret Garden Letters October 2009 What To Do Right Now If You're Broke And In Need © Copyright 2007 - 2009, Lisa Tyler
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Follow These Steps 1. Make
a serious assessment of the situation When I’m in trouble, I have a bad habit of
misplacing my bills and keeping my head effectively buried in the
“sand” of everyday activity. Instead, what I need to be doing is figuring
EXACTLY what bills I have, what their due dates are and when my next
money is coming available. List all the
possible sources of income or loans, or things that could be sold,
pawned or traded. Keep
these lists of assets and obligations in a 3-ring notebook or somewhere
that is easy to remember and get to quickly. Remember, out of sight, out
of mind. 2. Find
things that can be cut or put on hold Next weed out the
“Have To Pays” and the “Could Waits”, and make phone calls on
any bills that might let you slide until next pay period. Those might be
your utility companies, your mortgage (pay just the interest for a month
or two) or your loan companies. There are companies who call your creditors for you and arrange lower monthly payments. See if you're eligible. Most of the time if you just stay in touch with your loan companies and try to keep your promises, they'll work with you. There may be government programs now to help you pay mortgages, since everyone is in bad shape in that area. You'll be surprised at how things you'd normally have to have, become a delicious luxury when you're faced with a rock bottom crisis. Is there any way you can prepare your home to manage for short times without electricity, in case it gets shut off? Remember that it's only been a relatively short time that your electric company has been in existence, and our ancestors lived just fine. Today there are inventions that can put light and heat in your home that don't cost money to keep going. Check out websites on how third world countries are bringing lights and cooking ability to their homes, even huts or yurts. For the immediate need, though, call around to friends and family, and find room in their freezers for your food so it won't spoil. Of course we hope that won't happen, but be mentally prepared and have your plans made just in case. If
you have to leave your home until you can get the lights back on, make
sure to provide for the animal's care, or you can get in big trouble for
leaving them behind or unfed. 3. How
to call for help (organizations and people to help) There are actually
groups in most every town who handle indigent expenses and food
vouchers. Sometimes
it’s through church offices; sometimes there’ll be someone who works
in the police station or dispatch office, who would handle these kinds
of emergencies. They are usually people affiliated with civic
organizations, such as the Lions or the Rotary Club. Here’s a partial
list of places to try, call them and ask for information about getting
help buying food or paying a bill until your next money comes in. The chamber of commerce, the Rotary Club, Downtown Businessman’s Association, Lions, Woodmen of the World, Eagles, Moose, YMCA, Food Banks, Churches, Ministerial Association, etc. Call local churches and offer to help around the church in exchange for some food or aid. If
you have to beg, offer to work in exchange for whatever you're asking
for. Churches really like it if you provide them with complete
information on your family and need, while being willing to trade your
services for their help. There are many "real" churches
that will help you without taking anything, but your offer to work says
that you're really in need and not making a living out of freeloading.
4. Take
care of things by priority See if you can stop
the outflow of money and use all your resources. You may find
ways to increase your income without sacrificing too much safety or
quality of life for your children, but
most likely your best tactic will be to stop the outflow of money. It is easy for women
to think they have to get an extra job, or get out there in the
workplace at all, because it’s possible to get some menial job
quickly, but that may hurt you more than help you.
There
are times that earning just a little cancels out a larger program of
help from the government, such as being eligible for medicaid or taking
away foodstamps. Make sure that what you're doing is really going
to improve the situation. It
also
costs
a great deal to clothe yourself for the workplace, arrange
transportation and childcare. You may also spend more on foods and
entertainment because you're not there with your family and taking care
of immediate needs all day. The point is, take
life one-step at a time, by the priorities you have. If you have
children to take care of, see if you can’t make extra money at home or
while they’re asleep. Or maybe your husband just needs more motivation
to do better. Don’t laugh, a good
percentage of men today depend on women to support THEM, and they
add
to the burdens that a woman faces. If you have one of these situations,
I hope you’ll have the courage to make corrections, whether that means
he has to leave, or he has to work and do his share. That doesn’t mean
his share for HIM. That means, his share of the total household, which
is half. 5. Finding
something you can sell or a service to do to create an income You
can do a search for ways to earn money, and there
are work at home projects listed on my sites here: http://www.chastityrose.com/money.htm There
are companies you can become involved with for sales that might help.
Find some ideas for making money online here: http://www.chastityrose.com/make_money.htm You
can go over your list of assets and sell off an old car, or some sports
equipment, or even extra jewelry. One
word of warning, don’t fall prey to the ads all around us, to work
from home by assembling products for a company by mail. All that I’ve
ever seen charged a fee up front. Once
a nephew of mine paid the fee, bought the saws to make the product, and
made beautiful wood
products,
but when he sent them in, they were always rejected for some vague
reason. He never made any money, went into the hole and pawned his
equipment. The
same goes for the stuffing envelopes scam. The only legitimate envelope
stuffing work is where you run a direct mail sales business and you produce
and print the brochures. You generate the business, you
make the sale with the clients and you reap the rewards. In years past, women washed and ironed clothes in the neighborhood, or helped do spring cleaning. Now we also wash cars, run Mom’s taxi services and create kitchen table businesses. Only you know which idea will work for you. 6. Get
out from under the depression cloud so you can take action You
probably don’t need as much medication as you need something positive
to DO about your situation. This kind of depression is always
alleviated by ACTION. Inactivity is your greatest enemy. Make some
kind of decision, even if you decide to change it tomorrow. The
typical financial problem grinds a house to a standstill and the
children suffer from guilt and depression right along with the parents.
They also suffer abuse from parents who can’t properly channel their
anxiety resulting in one or both parents taking it out on each other or
the children. Exercise
is a very cheap tranquilizer. Use it. Get the kids outside, and go for
walks with them. Work twice as hard with the chores around home,
at appropriate times, and fall into bed naturally tired from work.
Don’t give your mind time to worry. 7. Put
your problems, needs and guilt into the hands of the Lord Get
out your Bible and begin to read. You’ll find that people from the
beginning of time have suffered from the same things you’re going
through, and they always made it through. You’ll find words of
encouragement directly from God, and as you read and pray, your burdens
will be lifted. Sometimes
supernatural acts occur. One day my mother was in need of a little money
for food, and as she was praying a man knocked on her door. It was a
stranger, giving her a cross and a small donation, who told her that God
had sent him. Throughout my life, I’ve had the experience that as soon as I was able to turn the problem over to Him, and get my hands off of a problem, that God worked the solution in a way I never would have expected .Don't
scoff at this section if you're not a believer. You don't have to
be a Christian or any particular religion to know that there is a higher
power, and your attitude on life determines where you get with it.
It's very hard to separate ideas on spirit and attitude from God, so
you'll have to fill in your own brand of understanding in this
section. I do not apologize for my faith, because God proved
Himself to me in person, and has been a constant companion to me with
real help and rescues. I hope you find such a great relationship
with Him, but I accept whatever choice you make. 8. Look
for the easiest/cheapest way to go at the moment There
are still ways you can cut corners and put other desires and activities
on hold until the squeeze lifts. I'm sure people have told you things like making tea instead of buying soft drinks, but only you know where your cuts can and should be made. The important thing is to use your intelligence and don't fall into a trap of depression and inactivity. This situation WILL pass and things will be better soon. Think of it as a game, or a contest of your survivability. Make it fun if you can. Are
you going through this at a holiday time, or when you'd normally be
buying gifts and rewards? This would be the perfect time to begin
making life "REAL". Put Jesus back in Christmas and
celebrate in ways that "make sense" not "take
cents". 9. Make
short and long-term plans You
should have goal sheets made up for short term and long term. Yes, you
might plan to be a psychiatrist in 6 years with a thriving business on
the west coast, but today you need to know what steps to take to get you
one day closer to that dream. So divide up your goals and plans into
bite sized, one day at a time chunks and then tackle them in order. 10. Keep
site of your goal and your purpose If
you’ve forgotten what the focus is, remind yourself fresh. Keep the
vision in your mind of where you’re going, so when the days are hard
and your spirits dip low, you can cheer yourself by seeing how far
you’ve come already and know exactly what is left ahead to tackle. Keep
an optimistic attitude. Be thankful for what you DO have today, so
you can actually achieve some progress. 11. Bible
verses that bring power, meditation techniques to see results Go
to http://www.blessingmeadowsministries.com/faith_confessions.htm and
print some of these verses out. They are Bible verses worded as
affirmations, which means you speak them out loud to yourself as often
through the day as you can remember, and they become a part of your
belief system. They
will transform you from a frightened child into a trusting Child of God.
Your world will start opening up and the blessings will be poured down
on your head like rain. We
used these verses to fight throat cancer, and my husband is still here
today to testify that God can (and DID) take a T3 tumor and make it
disappear in 3 weeks. 12. How
to handle your family, both inside and outside of your home Your
children want you to buy things, your husband is pouting and making life
miserable because he can’t go buy what he wants, and your in laws are
pointing an invisible finger at you as if everything that’s gone wrong
on earth is your fault. Sound familiar? If
you're being harassed at home, here is the truth. Houses, financial
paths and marriages take two people to perform. You may be 50% of the
problem, but you’re certainly NOT 100% of the problem. If you were,
hubby would have gotten up and gone to work or the bank or wherever he
would need to go, to rearrange his life to make it all work, and told
you goodbye. He
didn’t do that did he? He just yelled and accused, and pouted like a
child, right? Sit
them all down individually or together and show them the situation. Let
everyone know what is happening and what the solutions are. Let everyone
know that THEY will have to play a part in the solution for it to work,
and if they want things to get better they will have to cooperate.
That means hubby works every chance he gets. Children do chores and look
for odd jobs in the neighborhood, with your approval. No one gets to
fuss and complain about money and no one gets to sit on his or her duff
and let you handle it all. If
they won’t cooperate, remember where the door is, my friend, and walk
right out of it. Even if you only begin walking down the street, and
come back later, sometimes a scare like that will get everyone working
together. 13. Dozens
of ways to make money, you choose Again,
from above, start here: http://www.chastityrose.com/money.htm http://www.chastityrose.com/make_money.htm 14. Getting
your will and legal info in order This
is the perfect time to tie up loose ends, make that will you’ve been
putting off, (even if it has to be handwritten, but make sure it has 3
witnesses to the signing, in front of a notary.) Take
care of your bank and credit cards, the records keeping and even your
own health. Do whatever you can while you’re waiting. 15. No
failures or losses, only fluid changes Life
isn’t about failing and succeeding. It’s about living each day as it
comes, making the best plans but being flexible enough to roll with the
punches. So when it seems like you didn’t accomplish your expressed
goals today, relax. There
are millions of people worse than you are who are lazier, more crooked,
fatter, less attractive, etc. And of course, there are people poorer
than you are. Just be thankful to God for all that you have, and take
time to notice each thing. In
fact, spend some of your time now, praying for others, hearing about
their problems and your own will seem less severe. While you're
busy thinking of others, your own problems will work themselves out. 16. You
must not lie. Lies destroy, truth builds This
is a very simple principle, but so true. Avoid telling lies at all
costs. Be honest, humble and up front. Ask for help, ask for advice.
Don’t seem to be a smart aleck. Don’t pad the truth to make yourself
sound better. 17. Centering
on your own family, focus and rebuild Instead
of going off in all directions, or placing blame, or even planning a
huge remodel of your house when you have time, don’t overlook the
children who are really the heart of your home. Do for them, take
time for your family, and time to rest. Bad
times can be turned around to be good time for taking care of things
you’re usually too busy to get done. They can also be learning and
growth times. We don’t have to think of “broke” financially as
anything more than temporary circumstances. It’s all in your attitude. You
may be able to schedule a weekly visit to your home by the book mobile
of your local library. What a treat! Play with your children
and make a “fort” with a blanket over a table or some chairs.
Help them have a mini picnic in your living room, or create your
family’s first “Olympic” games with sofa cushions, or outside yard
races. 18. Web
sites to glean information from Here
are some web sites that you should look over for frugal inspiration. You
can find how-to items by category, coupons, support etc. You may decide
to start a new business from something you learn here, or change
significantly some of the products you normally buy. Many
things you spend money on can be eliminated by simple changes in
lifestyle that will make you healthier and save money. (Such as by using
the Master’s Miracle soap in place of all your detergents, shampoos,
toothpaste and cleansers.) (Note:
The Master’s Miracle product is no longer the original formula, so you
need to look for “Miracle II” which is the original, wonderful,
healing product.) Here
are some sites that sell it. http://www.miraclesoap.com/?gclid=CLf1svXdiZACFRquQAodemOKpQ http://miracle2distributors.com/?gclid=CLiN5JHeiZACFQSOFQodhjZctA http://www.miracle2angels.com/ (appears
to be cheaper?) Money
Saving Tips, great information: http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/dandelion_syrup.shtml / m m19. Finding
a family coach to help you through the bad times Turn
to a trusted older relative who has survived bad times, or who is very
good handling money. Make friends with an accountant, they have great
information to help us and are usually very humble people. The
year after my husband died, I went to H&R block as usual to get my
taxes done, and was told I needed to pay $16,000 in taxes, on the life
insurance money I had received. They also charged me $98 to figure the
taxes. I
refused their advice and took my W-2's to an accountant, who charged me
$45 to do both state and federal returns, and told me that I didn’t
have to pay taxes on life insurance policies that we had bought. I
saved much more than the preparation fee in that deal, and made a good,
knowledgeable friend. There
are people in your town who help others for philanthropic reasons,
without charging. Locate them through your ministerial
association, or businessman’s association. They might be teachers at a
college, or even a commissioner on your local council. Make sure you
pick people you can trust, who have set good examples and who records
show are doing a good job with their OWN finances. 20. Then
when things are better, keep on the right path When
the next money comes in and things seem to be getting better, don’t
get into a comfort zone yet! Life
is like a roller coaster ride, and there are constant ups and downs.
Life is like the weather; another new storm is on its way across the
country as YOUR weather has just turned sunny. Stick
to your frugal lifestyle, keep on saving those pennies and put them back
for the next calamity. I guarantee you it’s coming, and if you save
now, you’ll be prepared for later. You
should try to have a month or two’s wages put back to live on in case
a job is lost, and enough food in your cabinets to last you half a
month. Of course if you can do better, save up 6 month’s wages and a
whole month’s food supply, but for most people just recovering from a
crisis, this will seem impossible. We
all have a tendency to spend what we have and believe tomorrow will
bring what it needs, and usually it does. But life would be so much more
pleasant if we were prepared just a little bit for the things we’ll
face tomorrow. Those
things include: nursing home care for the elderly, medicines not covered
on Medicare, or house repairs that must be done to stay warm or cool, or
keep your house from deteriorating. For more ways to prepare for the future, get free things flowing into your home and get a handle on the holidays, read “Holiday Magic - Free Gifts All Year Long”. Available here: http://www.chastityrose.com/eBooks/HM.html Copyright 2007 - 2009 Lisa Tyler |
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