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Strategies for Reducing Financial Stress and Improving Your Finances

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 09:04 AM PST

By Katie Tejada

If there's one lesson that Covid-19 has taught us, it's that unexpected disasters can and do happen. And for the 63% of Americans who currently live paycheck to paycheck, an unexpected job loss, drop in income, or large medical bill can be enough to send your finances over the edge and cause an enormous amount of financial stress on you and your family.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to regain control of your finances and reduce the stress caused by a plunging bank balance. Find the road back to financial freedom with these reliable financial-disaster-management tips.

Accept your new reality and cut your costs

The first and most important place to start if your finances have suffered due to the pandemic is to take stock of where you are now and adjust to your new reality immediately. Waiting for "things to get back to normal" is the worst mistake you can make and will only drive you further into debt.

For some people, this might mean moving into a smaller house; for others, it could mean trading in the Mercedes-Benz for something more affordable. Whatever your new reality might look like, you need to begin by assessing the situation.

Take stock of the situation

Together with your partner or a trusted financial advisor, make time to sit down and take stock of your assets and debts, including:

  • Positive bank balances and cash in hand
  • Negative bank balances
  • Term deposits
  • Credit card debts
  • Investment accounts
  • Personal debts
  • Retirement accounts
  • Bank loans
  • Home equity
  • Home loans
  • Vehicles
  • Student loans
  • Electronics
  • Other debts
  • Jewelry

When reviewing your overall financial situation, you should consider your overall balance as well as your remaining income level (if any), redundancy packages, Social Security payments, other government payments, and early release of retirement funds. These are resources you will be able to draw on either now or further in the future.

Create a financial plan

A financial plan is not just for the rich—it's for everyone who wants to achieve a goal. Put simply, your financial plan is a document that outlines your short, medium, and long-term goals, including your savings goals and debt repayments.

If you're feeling stressed about finances right now, make a financial plan that includes the following immediate financial goals:

  • Save a $1,000 emergency fund
  • Pay off and cancel your credit cards

Suggested medium-term goals:

  • Save a three- to six-month emergency fund
  • Pay off all vehicle and product debts
  • Choose an insurance plan to protect your family
  • Contribute regularly to a retirement account

Longer-term goals:

  • Pay off your home loan
  • Increase your retirement contributions

Once you have decided on your goals, plan out how you are going to achieve them. Generally, this will mean creating a budget that reduces the spending portion to a bare minimum for a while to allow for savings and debt repayments.

Make a budget

Making a budget reduces financial stress by putting you back in the driver's seat. No matter how tight things are right now, working out how to live within your means will take a huge weight off your shoulders and allow you to start moving in a better direction.

When creating a budget, begin by writing down your expected monthly income on one side of the page and expected monthly costs on the other. After essentials like food, shelter, and bills have been accounted for, you will see how much is left for savings, debt repayments, donations, and discretionary spending. The aim of a budget is to be left with $0 on the expenditure side of the page so that you're putting every dollar to good use.

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Figure out ways to cut back

What most people find when they prepare a budget is that they spend a lot more of their income than they'd like. To save more money, consider the following ideas:

  • Eliminate unplanned or "reflex" spending
  • Relax by spending time outdoors instead of going to the mall
  • Cook your own meals at home
  • Make your own coffee
  • Drink filtered water from the tap
  • Walk or ride your bike instead of driving
  • Buy used goods instead of new ones

When you really think about it, you can dramatically cut down on your spending, leaving more money in your pocket at the end of the day. Like me, you're probably spending a lot more time at home right now. This presents a great opportunity to save a lot of money on food by eating in instead of eating out. Take one day a week that you would normally order takeout or delivery and cook instead, and see how much money you save!

Find out what resources are available

Times might be tough, but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone. There are several resources you can access in times of financial stress and difficulty, including priority loans and early release of retirement funds. Refer to the following acts to see what help you might be eligible for:

Once you receive some funds or relief from the government, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced financial advisor to make a long-term plan for these funds. Once the money's gone, it's gone, and it's far better to spend a little extra cash sharpening your skills for the new economy than to splurge on a luxury and sink into debt.

Consider the advantages of filing for bankruptcy

It might seem counterintuitive, but filing for bankruptcy might be the difference that turns things around. Before heading down the road of considering debt versus bankruptcy, find out what your bank's policy is for economic disaster relief and negotiate with your loan providers and creditors. The advantages of declaring bankruptcy are a clean slate and the end of debt collection. The disadvantages are that you might lose your home and/or items of value and the bankrupt status remains on your record for the next 10 years.

Oftentimes, an experienced lawyer can help you file for bankruptcy without losing your home or vehicle to pay back the portion of your debts that you can. Again, this option should be considered a last resort if your situation is pushing you to the brink of despair.

Take one step to reduce financial stress now

Whether it's making a new budget or applying for relief, take one small step today to get started on the road to financial recovery. Reaching your goals might seem impossible right now, but when you break the process down into smaller steps, the task will seem less overwhelming and you’ll begin to feel more hopeful and optimistic.

If you have complex financial needs during the crisis or decisions to make regarding your business, consider consulting with a fiduciary financial advisor. A fiduciary advisor has a commitment to give you comprehensive information and always put your best interests first—and in a crisis, that's exactly what you need.

About the Author

Post by: Katie Tejada

Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She often covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, real estate and finance, but also enjoys writing about travel, interiors and events.

Company: ML&R Wealth Management
Website: www.mlrpc.com

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