“Money comes and money goes,” a friend observed the other day, in conversation about our marital woes.
Indeed. It’s frightening to think about how much money actually flows in and out of our bank accounts. The monthly graphs my online banking generates for me throws this into stark relief.
It’s particularly frustrating when it’s coming and going (particularly going) beyond your control. This may not jive with the bootstrapping and responsibility the PF world loves to tout, but there are times in life when you simply have to deal with what you’ve got.
I was at a digital marketing seminar the other day and one thing that really stuck with me was the idea that we have to give up on expecting to control everything. That these days it’s more likely at any one point in time we are more likely to wind up going backwards rather than forwards. Obviously that was in a marketing context, but it’s just as true in our financial lives – heck in our lives, full stop. The changing nature of employment and the economy has seen to that.
It’s really hard to stay motivated when that happens. Why work so hard? What’s the point?
Sometimes being a grown up sucks.
Both Lauren and Jordann just blogged about dealing with financial stress. They’ve got some good advice.
I’m trying to:
Eat decently. I used to be a hardcore emotional eater (HAVE FEELINGS, EAT ALL THE THINGS) but it’s been a few years. Now I tend to lose my appetite when stressed.
Talk to people. It blows to talk about depressing things, but it’s worse to bottle them up.
Have little indulgences. Much-needed new work shoes, underwear and headphones are perking up daily life SO much. Small expenditures, well worth it.
*super long distance hug*
I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time financially. I know all too well how much that sucks. You are right in saying that there are times when you “have to deal with what you’ve got” – when things are beyond your control and drain your finances. It’s also true that if you’re wise with money in general, these hard times are cushioned by savings. When we hit our extended hard financial time, we did not have savings to cushion the blow. I’m not sure what your situation is, but I hope that you will find that it passes, and that you navigate it wisely and with the support of people – IRL and online – who are cheering you on for the best.
Not entirely money related but yeah, I was in a bit of a funk this week. Most of it’s gone right now but it comes and goes.
I’m in an indirect financial funk because of my partner’s unemployment (it’s been a rough year because of it). Plus pay cut at work and house stuff. But we make do. Mostly by eating out too much to overcome the stress.
I hear you on this. Sometimes the stress of hustling to try to control it can be damaging in itself. I may or may not have a work shortage in my career this year, and there’s nothing I did or can do to prevent it. That doesn’t mean I’m not freaking the heck out, though.
I feel you there NZmuse! Sometimes, we have to go through these series of challenges. I hope you overcome these as soon as possible and learn something valuable. I know you can do it. Manage your money wisely. Good luck.