lighthouse-coaching.com: Financial Stress

Most people learn to live with stress. It usually starts out small and gradually builds up over time. Most of us realize stress is a way of life here in America. In my office I see so many peoples whose lives are packed with stress due to financial struggles. They can’t sleep. They can’t enjoy time with family or friends. Even when they are resting, they are thinking about all the bills. Several recent surveys have stated that between 60 and 70 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. They are simply just getting by. They are using their credit cards and lines of credit to get to the next month.

Is this really the way to live? Speaking from my own experience, stress will take its toll on your body and your relationships if not reduced. The effects show up as sleeplessness, high blood pressure, stomach problems sore muscles and more. Is it all worth it? The stuff we buy such as cars we can’t afford or huge homes that stretch our wallet. Many people are all just one minor financial event away from a disaster. How can we reduce financial stress. Well from where I sit there are only four things to do.

1) Tighten up your current budget if you have one (get a budget on paper if you don’t have one.)

2) Sell some stuff. (Use the first $1000 for an emergency fund)

3) Increase your income (extra job or extra hours)

4) Contact your creditors and share your struggle and ask for better terms.

There are no magic pills out there. Do one or all of these 4 things and your margin can increase. Not talking about it and hoping it will go away is not a solution.

All of these “bail out” programs we see on TV are scams. There is not President Obama program for you and I when it comes to consumer debt. These TV and radio ads are a scam and a rip offs. Please do not buy into them. If your are struggling with the stress of debt, talk with a friend and get some professional help and support from a trusted professional. Financial stress in the number one killer of marriages today. Don’t sit there in silence and let it get you. Get mad at it and attack it using one of the four suggestions above.

I would love to hear your stories of how you kicked the bottom out of the financial stress in your life.

Dave Williams

www.lighthouse-coaching.com