Life, they say is insatiable. Human beings are always on the search for more and better opportunities. Once we climb another step up of the ladder, responsibilities tend to shoot up at a jet speed. Our basic needs begin to battle with our secondary needs. If we are unable to master the art of differentiating between the urgent, most important, important, necessary and the not so important things in life, then we will be compelled by our human desires to want to spend on everything and anything. That will be the beginning of a stressful lifestyle. You would love to read on how to overcome such stress so that you can well focus on your goals. Mostly, it’s not about how much you receive but it’s about what you spend on and how you spend. Let me walk you through these ways to help you overcome such stress of low income.
i. Have a Budget: WordWeb defines a budget as “a summary of intended expenditures along with proposals for how to meet them” Even your employer {if you are an employee} has a budget he deals with. Before any salary increment or any purchase is made, there must be a well prepared budget for such. And so if your employer does that, you can’t do without a budget. Before the month ends, you would have outlined what you will be needing. There are some which are basic, you must include them, but in the order of priority. Feeding, utility bills, welfare, upkeep, and the like, cannot be side-lined. Once you are done with the first things first, you can look at the others. Don’t forget savings. Commit to save a percentage of your income at the end of the month. At least there will be some kind of hope that you have something in your account.
ii. Discipline yourself:. “...It means doing what you have to do even when you do not want to do it." In other words, deciding not to buy the sweets you actually love but did not budget for. We can never be financially free if we lack financial discipline. Without discipline, you will always buy anything you come across. Try to avoid or reduce buying things you never planned for. Spot the item, note the location, factor it into your next budget.
No one can teach you discipline, you have to vow to remain resolute to be who you say you want to be. No body can make you. You alone can make or unmake yourself. No matter how you’re provided with what you want and coached, every action is to be taken by you to be great.
iii. Spend within your means: It’s great to use the latest mobile devices in the market. Riding in the posh and shinny cars isn’t bad either. You can choose to wear a suit that gives a reflection of whoever looks at you; it’s your choice and you won’t be arrested for such. But the question is, do you have to stress yourself to impress? You are not paid for using the most expensive mobile phone. Why not acquire one you wouldn’t have to sweat before buying? Most times the less expensive ones can do equally what the most expensive ones can do. You can’t spend more than you are earning. If you do such, you are stealing yourself.
iv. Create a another income source: If you feel you have done all you could do and still runs very low on cash, think of another source of income. You can do a business that keeps your capital safe and accruing you some profit. After completing Senior High School, I was selling phone cards and transfer of credit (units). It’s something many people will not do, but I know someone who sells phone cards at work. If you want to spend more, earn more.
v. Think less of your temporary problems: Sometimes it’s not because we don’t have enough but it may be because we think a lot about some challenges we are passing through. Once you’re passing through it, don’t remain there, move on and you will definitely smile after the storm. Oftentimes we think more of what others are having over us. We might forget to remember that they are they and we are we. Just know that, you won’t get everything you want at a given time; little by little, your bag will get full.
Stress won’t allow you to focus. It doesn’t give you the appetite to follow your dreams. It calls for enough rest and this makes you abandon all in order to be able to relax. So it’s necessary to be able to overcome the stress of low income.
Have a nice read and an overcoming spirit. It’s me, your friend.
Michael Akparibo Alung
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