Posted on

How to Keep Your Cool During the Financial Meltdown

Everywhere you go, you hear about how awful the economy is, but you don’t have to let all the talk of our country’s financial meltdown get you down.

You can keep your cool.

Don’t let fear of the future take control of your mind and emotions.

When we live in fear, we make bad decisions, think irrationally, and are in a reactive mode.

Living in fear actually makes the situation far worse.

To help overcome the fear of your financial future, here are some proactive things you can do:

1. Turn off the news. Why would you want to listen to bad news over and over?

We already know the state of the economy, so listening to a news reporter talk doom and gloom all the time isn’t necessary.

2. Ensure you’re on a budget and living within your means. If you need to cut back, then find ways to do so.

There are many, many ways to reduce the cost of living with a little planning and effort. Here are some examples:

Reduce your cell phone bill

Get rid of your land line if you have a cell phone

Shut off the cable (who needs it anyway?)

Turn off the lights and unplug electronic devices when not in use

Turn your thermostat down in winter and wear sweaters to keep warm

Open windows in the summer instead of turning on the air conditioner

Use coupons and shop for the weekly sales at your local grocery store

3. Plan ahead by setting up an emergency fund. Of course, this involves living on a budget so you can save enough money from your income for emergencies.

An emergency fund is usually a minimum of $1,000 in savings at all times and is used for emergencies only, like unexpected vehicle repairs or medical needs.

If you can afford more, then save more!

4. Plan for the future by getting rid of debt and using cash only. Again, this requires living on a budget, but it can be done.

How to Budget in a Recession

Since we’re talking about budgeting so much and it’s the best way to keep your cool during the financial meltdown, let’s talk about ways to set up a budget and reduce debt. 

1. Figure out your income after taxes.

Know what you’re bringing in each month so you can determine how much you have to spend.

Sounds obvious, but why is it so common for people to spend way more than they make?

Far too often, people don’t know how much they really make, nor where the money goes!

2. Make sure your living needs are met. These things include your house payment, utilities, food, and property taxes.

3. Next, make sure your transportation to get to and from work is taken care of.

Things like your vehicle payment, gas and maintenance.

This is one area you may be able to cut back on as well.

If you’re making a car payment, try to sell the car and buy a used one with cash.

You may also want to consider taking public transportation more often.

4. Pay off credit card debt. Start paying off the card with the highest interest rate first.

Once that card is paid off, put your payments toward the card with the next highest interest rate and so on, until each card is paid off.

You may also want to contact a financial planner to discuss consolidating the debt to make it more manageable.

5. Once your credit card debt is paid off, begin putting all the money you were paying out into savings.

The goal is to build your savings up to at least 6 months worth of income in case something happens, like job loss or disability.

By following the steps above, with diligence and determination, you can be debt free and survive the financial meltdown!

Of course, this won’t happen overnight and you’ll probably have to adjust your lifestyle so you can live below your means, but doing so will help secure your future financially.

How do you stay calm when everyone else seems to be stressed out?

How can you continue to have peace of mind during a time of crisis?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I trust in my ability to relax. I am calm and peaceful.

I believe that my natural state is one of peacefulness.

Getting diverted from my natural state is like damming up a river.

When I let go of built-up negative thoughts and tensions, I release the waters of my peaceful nature to flow freely.

I allow myself to open up so my mind and spirit can return to their original purpose.

The more I do this, the easier it becomes.

A river, released, may hit against rocks or snags, but it either pushes them aside or incorporates them as it surges forward.

Eventually, it returns to the bed it came from and digs itself even deeper into the banks and river bottom.

My mind is the same way.

Once released, I sit back and allow myself to return to my natural state of peace and calm, without concern for obstacles that may appear in my way.

Sometimes, when I first relax, I feel a surge of tension, like debris tossed up by roiling water.

Yet as I relax, the river of my peaceful self washes all of that downstream, away from me.

I open myself up to the cleansing power of peace.

What methods of relaxation work best for you?

In what ways do you open yourself up to peace? 

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I can remain calm in times of change.

I remain calm in times of change because I know that change is the doorway through which I attain growth.

I keep myself open to change so I can recognize opportunities and take advantage of them.

I am confident in my ability to handle change because I understand that I do not have to absorb everything at once.

Change involves a learning curve. I expect that it may take me some time to adjust, and that’s okay.

I don’t stress myself out by expecting to handle everything all at once.

Instead, I focus on the piece of the task that is in front of me, knowing that I will become familiar with all I need to know.

If I make mistakes while adjusting to change, I am patient with myself.

I am unafraid of mistakes because I see them as a sign that I am stretching and growing.

Learning from my mistakes makes me a better person.

I know that putting myself into situations outside my comfort zone increases my creativity and exposes me to new thoughts, relationships, and opportunities.

I do not fear change because I know that it is in my own best interest.

I can remain calm in the face of change and look forward to the opportunities within.

What opportunity have I received because I was willing to be open to change?

How have I grown recently because of a mistake?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I can communicate through a conflict at an expert level.

When I am faced with conflict I know how to handle myself.

My first resort is communication. Good communication is cool water for a fiery conflict.

In order to communicate effectively, I take my time to respond, never answering abruptly.

I take deep breaths and speak slowly.

I listen to the other person’s point of view. I can listen to others without interruption.

When someone is talking, I am genuinely listening and not just planning my next statement.

When I communicate with others, I respect their point of view.

My goal in communicating is not to be right, but to be work well with others.

I simply need to find a common ground for us to get along and accomplish our goals.

When I speak, I communicate my point of view in a way that is easy to understand.

My words and tone are chosen carefully.

When others speak to me, I repeat back what I hear to be sure that I understand them.

When I speak to them, I ask them to do the same, so I know they fully understand my meaning.

My experience has taught me that people communicate differently.

People of different genders or cultures communicate in many diverse ways.

I am aware of these differences and honor them when I speak to others.

My speech is free from accusations and whining. I can share my feelings and ask for what I need in order to effect change.

When my speech is clear, I get the results I desire from every conversation.

How often are you able to talk calmly in a conflict?

What is your goal in communicating?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I can remain calm in times of change.

I remain calm in times of change because I know that change is the doorway through which I attain growth.

I keep myself open to change so I can recognize opportunities and take advantage of them.

I am confident in my ability to handle change because I understand that I do not have to absorb everything at once.

Change involves a learning curve. I expect that it may take me some time to adjust, and that’s okay.

I don’t stress myself out by expecting to handle everything all at once.

Instead, I focus on the piece of the task that is in front of me, knowing that I will become familiar with all I need to know.

If I make mistakes while adjusting to change, I am patient with myself.

I am unafraid of mistakes because I see them as a sign that I am stretching and growing.

Learning from my mistakes makes me a better person.

I know that putting myself into situations outside my comfort zone increases my creativity and exposes me to new thoughts, relationships, and opportunities.

I do not fear change because I know that it is in my own best interest.

I can remain calm in the face of change and look forward to the opportunities within.

What opportunity have I received because I was willing to be open to change?

How have I grown recently because of a mistake?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I put on my calm hat when I evaluate sticky situations.

To fully recognize and analyze a situation I need to remain calm and gather my serenity.

When life throws me little trials along the way, I am able to remain calm and enjoy the peace that is mine.

Using specific tools that teach me to be calm allows me to let go of the need to panic or fall apart in difficult situations.

Calm is something I can choose to be. I am strong enough to build up my stores of serenity for surprise situations.

I have a special tank within me. I can choose to fill this tank and keep it filled or I can choose to let it become empty.

This special tank is my serenity tank and when it is full I can enjoy calmness in any situation. I can draw from my serenity tank when I need it.

I fill my tank with positive energy from daily relaxation and meditation and by maintaining a healthy body and mind.

If I neglect my physical and emotional needs, allow negative energy into my life, or become too stressed, I deplete my serenity tank.

Today, I will add to my serenity tank for the times that I may need to draw from it. I will release stress that builds up in my day.

I will exercise, eat healthy foods, and fill my day with positive energy. When a sticky situation arises I will draw from my serenity tank and put on my hat of calmness.

 

How have you added to your serenity tank today?

How have you set yourself up for success if there is a sticky situation?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posted on

I challenge myself to be calm in order to release daily pressures.

Managing my frustrations is the best way for me to reduce daily pressures.

Sometimes I become upset because I feel like my daily pressures have become overwhelming.

When I realize that I am becoming angry or depressed, I take actions to soothe myself.

I challenge myself to stay calm because I know that I can handle problems best when I approach them with a rational mind.

A calm mind thinks clearly. Because I am a rational person, I can solve any problem that comes my way.

Whether it is the increased responsibilities at work, feeling like I don’t have time to accomplish all of my tasks, or feeling overwhelmed by family commitments – I stay calm.

I may feel the urge to become frustrated or angry, but I realize that those actions will only intensify my anxiety and project negativity into the world.

Thinking of myself as a ship captain helps me remember that I can get though rough waters.

When a storm approaches, I know that it will not last. Even in rough waters, a good captain can keep the ship on course.

Keeping a cool head and focusing on my goals are the best ways to get through daily pressures.

I know that soon I will reach calm waters and the storm will be behind me.

Challenging myself to remain calm in the face of mounting pressures is a challenge I accept.

I am a brave ship captain on a clear course. I know the rough waters are only temporary.

Choosing to stay calm releases my daily pressures.

 

How can you release daily pressures from your life?

How do you remain calm in the face of mounting pressures?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!