Have it Covered: 3 Ways to Keep Your Finances Under Control in Emergencies
No matter how much planning you do for that rainy day, financial emergencies can happen. They can happen beyond your control. You can lose your job. You can have unexpected medical bills. A big expense can come at you from out of nowhere.
What should you do when this happens?
The first thing you should do is take a deep breath and not panic. You can get yourself through this, by calmly following these easy steps:
#1 Prioritize Your Bills
Not all bills are equal. Some are far more important than others. For example, if you do not make your car payments, someone could take away your car, which could, in turn, affect your ability to work. This could then make your financial situation even worse.
Other payments that need to go to the top of the priority list include payments for food and housing and utilities. These things are not optional.
Move your unsecured debt to the bottom of the priority list. These bills include those for credit cards and student loans. While not paying these bills can affect your credit score, they will not lead to further immediate catastrophe.
Once you have prioritized your spending, you may see items at the bottom of the priority list that you can do without, such as cable television. Cut anything that you absolutely do not need.
#2 Talk to Your Creditors
While it may be embarrassing to explain your financial problems to a stranger, your creditors can often help you through these situations.
They can work out alternative payment plans, and sometimes you can even arrange some kind of deferred payment agreement. If you own a home, the holder of your mortgage may even be willing to modify its terms.
The only way you can find out if any of these things are possible is by getting on the phone and contacting them.
#3 Get Help
Always remember that you are not alone. Even if you do not have any family or friends who can help you through your situation, there are many organizations — both public and private — that can help.
Private entities include churches and other houses of worship, as well as food banks and kitchens. Government organizations can help, too. They can help you pay for both housing and food. They also may be able to help you find a job if you do not have one, or help you find additional work to get you through your emergency.
You may also want to consider a loan, such as those offered at https://www.moneyboat.co.uk/payday-loans-bad-credit. They can even provide loans to those with bad credit.
Do not be ashamed to ask for help. These programs exist to help people just like you, and you should take advantage of them.
In conclusion, financial emergencies may seem like the end of the world, but they are not. You simply have to approach them with calm determination, while following the steps outlined here. This will lead to the light that is at the end of the tunnel.
So what are you doing to keep your money under control?
