Picking up a newspaper these days is a painful ordeal. Either the news itself depresses you, or you are reminded that you need to cancel your newspaper subscription because you can no longer afford it.
The headlines, bylines and even the comics section all seem to be talking about the economy and how it’s on its sorry behind. Got it. So how do we move on, what can we do to survive the crunch without sacrificing the essential joys of life?
People like my aunt Gwen, who lost some of her life savings to the shenanigans of Bernard Madoff and recently took on a part-time job caring for children, refuse to throw themselves a pity party. Nor do they plan to cut out the things that give them joy.
“I believe in taking care of myself in order to take care of my husband and the children I baby-sit,” she declared. “How can I meet their needs if I’m not happy?”
Keeping herself happy means continuing to host the weekly afternoon tea-and-cards parties for her four close friends. She’s given up shopping for new clothes and shoes and buying high-end grooming products. And she has decided to increase the afternoon gathering to twice a week. They are sacred, inexpensive and a wellspring of mutual care and support.
“I don’t need a new wardrobe. But I always need my friends. In the context of choosing between family, friends and "things", it's an easy decision. I'm choosing to stop spending $200 on "things" and spending $20 more on what really matters.
Young people like my nephew, who is still in college, are also feeling the pinch. He puts it this way: It (the economy) sucks but I don’t let it get in the way. I've increased my work hours. I’ve cut back on a lot of things, sold my Playstation, and watch movies in the dorm instead of going out. But one thing I will never, ever give up is Beer and Pizza Night.” He grins. ‘I tell Dad it's an important part of my social development, teaching proper balance between work and play".
Blogger E.G.F. has taken saving to certain “shameless extremes” (his words). In order to maintain his World of Warcraft subscription and to keep hosting his popular review site WoWGoldFacts.com, he, too, has cut back. His rather unique approach has been to start a "do without it today" calendar. He has divvied up the items in his budget that are variable in nature (like entertainment and air conditioning). Each morning (over a cup of coffee assuming it is not on the do-without-list for the day) he chooses which expense he will forego. Some days it's lunch. Some days it's air conditioning. On a bigger scale, it's going out – unless it’s a party with “lots of free grub...If it weren't for free food, I'd never leave my computer desk,” he laughs. “My skin is starting to glow. I refer to it as a studio tan. My female friends refer to it as the "mushroom look".
We all have our ways of surviving and thriving during tough economic times. It all boils down to making choices between needs and wants. Cutting back doesn’t mean sacrificing the things that really matter to you. The goal is to make small, manageable changes that add up over time and contribute to your finances as well as you optimism. It may seem difficult but it CAN be done.
Staying positive is key to surviving the hard times. Just remember what is really important to you and choose to be happy. After all, YOU are responsible for your own happiness.
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