subject: Your Recession Survival Guide [print this page] True, we are all caught in the middle of a global economic crisis. To survive, we need to be wise and a little more creative in managing our bills and finances. This article presents practical and doable tips that everyone can do to lessen the burden of recession.
Increase your earnings. If your monthly salary is not enough to cover for your expenses and debt repayment, find ways to boost your earnings. How? One way is to get a part time job to support your primary source of income.
The internet is a great resource for freelance jobs that you can do even as you work full-time for a company. Just a word of caution before accepting a home based job or home business opportunity. Do you research and make sure that you dealing with a legitimate and trusted employer/company.
Claim your tax privileges. Statistics show that many people do not claim their much-deserved tax incentives. Are you aware of your personal tax privileges? If not, do some homework and find out how you can qualify for tax deductions or tax credit when purchasing a home or a new vehicle.
Write down your plan and stick to it. Tough times call for strict measures. You need to know exactly where your money goes each month. Creating a written budget plan will help you avoid unnecessary or unplanned expenses which can eat up your budget.
Waste not, want not. Make sure that you are able to consume or enjoy everything that you paid for. Ask yourself, do you tend to buy more food than your family can consume? Do you find a lot of leftovers in your freezer each week? Do you find yourself throwing expired and unopened goods on a frequent basis? While food is a crucial part of the budget, you want to make sure that none of your purchased goods are wasted. Keep track of your refrigerator's content and make a list before taking a trip to the grocery.
Drive less often. Driving your car less frequently can enable you to save hundreds of dollars in a year. How you may ask? Plan your trips ahead of time so you can take the faster route to your destination and will not have to make unnecessary trips just because you forgot an errand. Another strategy is to have one member of the family drive off and pick the rest of the family to work or to school. You can also arrange carpooling with your neighbors or friends.
Getting yourself an insurance plan. Some people may opt to skip medical insurance or car insurance costs to avoid more expenses. However, none of us is exempted from the threat of diseases or accidents so it's best to be prepared at all times. Keep in mind that medical expenses can put anyone in a serious debt situation.
Cut back on credit card spending. Consumers must be more cautious in using their credit cards now, more than ever. The high interest rates you may incur if you fail to pay off your entire balance is certainly a big waste of hard-earned money. Every penny counts so if you plan to pay with your credit card, see to it that you will be able to pay back your full balance on time.
