In these hard times, when the country’s economy continues to flounder, you and your family may find yourselves in money crisis. The crisis may occur for a number of reasons:

1. You or your spouse may lose your job.
2. You may incur medical/hospital bills over and above your insurance coverage.
3. You may have borrowed more than what you can repay.
4. You or your spouse may die and leave not enough properties to cover the needs of your family.
5. You may have made the wrong investment, leaving you with enormous debts.
6. You may be living above the financial level you can realistically afford.

The following techniques should give you the means to reduce the pressures while you solve your financial problems:

1. Don’t panic. Relax and take it easy. Set your mind positively. Don’t predict doom or try to predict too far into the future. Put the problem in perspective, step by step. In times of crisis, it is better to plan life day by day.
2. Take care of your health. The tension levels will be higher than usual so you will need rest, food, and a minimum of stimulants. Continue your usual routines for taking good care of your health. Try not to get into problem-solving sessions around dinnertime or late at night. Your energy levels are low during these times of the day.
3. Try to still have some fun and entertainment. Keep your appointments.
4. Set up some time to work on your financial problems. Crate a schedule for dealing with events on your own terms. This way, you won’t be too worried.
5. Don’t look back. Instead, see what it is you can do to work out solutions. Don’t blame anyone, especially yourself, for what has happened. Save your energy in finding solutions to the problem
6. List down all possible solutions or alternatives to your problems. Write down the pros and cons of all the alternatives. You’re not helpless.
7. Act step by step on ideas, solutions, and directions you have developed. Be sure to do a little something each day and review what you have done.
8. Let close friends and family know about the financial difficulties you are having. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are asking them for help (or you might want to do which is okay). Do not isolate yourself and cut off your contact with other people. Don’t go underground to save face. Doing so only creates more tension and anxiety, which can lead to more panic. Keep open to the people around.
9. Involve your immediate family or roommates or close friends at some levels in the process of solving your financial problem. Let them participate in some degree, if they want to.
10. Don’t try to resolve your problem in one sitting. It’s good to have an overview, but you need to allow time and space to get relevant information. Seek many alternatives. Balance your life.