Unless you have slept your way though the last few years, never turning on the television or reading a newspaper; you know very well that times are tough; surviving the non-thriving economy starts with changing your lifestyle; sometimes by choice and in this case- by necessity.
Hardships are bound to arise, most of us are aware and have dealt with our fair share, but globally, and more importantly, at home; many of us are seeing a hardship that has not been seen in many, many years.
More often than not the answer to todays stresses lies in the memories and ideas of our fore-fathers. Gone are the days when homeowner’s need take out a loan to pay for a needed holiday. Lines of credit got many families into a boggled mess; long ago- you didn’t buy anything without having the cash to pay for the item. And the cash was earned by work, not filling out loan papers at a bank. Picnics and family reunions were activities that were looked forward too by youngsters; people visited their neighbors for something to occupy their time. The idea of going on holiday included a trip to the beach for the day; or perhaps a hike in one of our many beautiful parks.
Thrifty spending and saving has become a game in some families. Coupon hunting and traveling to different markets to find the best deal on clothing and foods have become much of a scavenger hunt. As well, many families are learning that trading one’s assets for another one’s assets can not only be done for little or no cost; it’s rather fun. Find innovative ways to sell or trade items you do not want or need for something that is of value to you and your family. And by all means, don’t use credit- use cash.
As we watch the news programs and wonder when the economy will turn for the better; we should ask ourselves- what can we do in the meantime to help? The answer is simple- live a simpler lifestyle with simple expectations. Plant a garden, share your excess with your neighbors; in turn they will share their excesses. Plan activities that center themselves on what nature has provided to us; free of charge. Eliminate the thoughts that money drives your lifestyle; having more or less money has never created happiness- just ease. Find peace and tranquility in going to work and doing a good job; not receiving the paycheck. In the slumping economy most families will find themselves looking for new ways to adjust their lifestyles; it should start with a positive attitude.
Let this economy slump be a lesson for you and your family. After all, if we would have stayed on the path of our ancestors; we would most likely not be in this dreadful mess. Our belongings would be our own and not partially owned by the bank. We would spend less time on thinking about what we want to buy and more time on thinking about how lucky we are to have what we have.
