Be Safe: Money Matters
February 13, 2009
Here’s the thing about money: it cannot buy you happiness, but you have to have it anyway.
During these times of economic crisis, there is a lot of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Many of us are worried sick about our family’s financial stability. Rising healthcare costs, excessive credit card debt, and fear of losing or not finding jobs are HUGE barriers to happiness and inner peace.
In yesterday’s post I wrote about the first level of my hierarchy of needs (Just Be). Today I would like to explore the second level, which is where money matters come into the picture:
Be Safe – Safety needs include health, shelter, work, and financial security for you and your family. We need a safe place to live, a reliable source of income, and access to medical care. If we are lacking one of these things, it is difficult to proceed to the next level on our hierarchy of needs. However, this does not mean we need a mansion, a million dollars, and the best specialists money can buy (although I wish that last part could be available for free!).
The current economic crisis directly threatens our collective and individual need for safety. So, what can we do about it?
First, acknowledge what we cannot do about it:
1. As individuals we are not likely to be able to fix this global economic mess, so it’s a reality we are stuck with and need to accept. It doesn’t matter how great times used to be… this economy is anything but great, and will be this way for a while. There’s no sense worrying about something we cannot change.
Next, consider what we can do:
2. If I still have a job, I might want to come up with Plan B, in case my company decides to get rid of me. It tends to happen unexpectedly. You may decide you like your Plan B better than Plan A, and have a new and interesting career change. Consider that a bonus.
3. If I already lost my job, now is a good time to think about what else I am good at or always wanted to try. Just because I studied one field in college does not mean I have to stay in that field for life. What else is out there that I can try, and perhaps like more than my previous job? Now I have the chance to reinvent myself.
4. If I can’t even remotely find a job, it’s time to get creative. Sometimes bankruptcy and moving in with a friend or family member are the only options, at least short-term. I know several people who are doing this now. It’s not great, but we have to find ways to get by.
5. Think like a Costa Rican: don’t be wasteful, and get resourceful. When you don’t have every little thing available at your fingertips, you tend to value what you have, and find creative ways to get what you need. We are going to have to come up with a whole new way of thinking about our wants, needs and resources. A good place to start developing new habits is the book, Power of Less
Once we meet our basic safety needs, we will be able to move on to the next three levels: Be Social (relationships), Be Strong (self-esteem, confidence, achievement), and Be Happy (be your best self). I will explore these further in future posts, so stay tuned.
What are you doing differently to get through this economic mess?
Read more about the 5 Steps to Finding Fulfillment: Just Be | Be Safe | Be Social | Be Strong | Be Happy.
Helpful Links: Curb Your Spending | Pennypinching Tips | Frugal Lifestyle
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Posted in choices, family, inner peace, needs
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I’ve used Craigslist a lot lately. Thank goodness it is there. I’ve sold furniture and items I do not need or use to help out in these hard times. The fun part is the empty space it leaves creates a new play space for Alex.
We’re getting rid of cable and telephone (landline. The good thing about this is the time spent together or reading a book instead of vegging out in front of the tube.
We never eat out and have fun talking around the table.
We may have to sell it all but if we have each other that is what matters.
Great point: what we need is eachother, not the stuff. I’m glad you brought up craigslist, because that (as well as ebay) is a great resource. You can get extra cash for things you don’t need, as well as find some fantastic deals for things you do need.
Gotta get creative, right?
Thanks,
Lisis
such a perfect question for me! but firstly, you’re so right – money can’t buy you happiness but we do still need it. I think what ‘we’ are trying to do is learn to live with less money so that in these times, we don’t have to worry as much about earning more. The fact that my husband works in return for a home for us to live in takes a huge pressure off. I only have to find enough money to feed us and a few other small commitments. With feeding ourselves we have become SO creative over the last year travelling. We make a meal and it lasts for two meals and then the final leftovers we use a base for the next meal. We NEVER throw out food, which we used to do!!! Consequently we are living on very little. I can’t deny that there are times I want to buy a nice handbag or pair of boots, but that will come. For the moment I make handbags out of old clothes and material! and I knit to accessorise. It’s all about getting creative and I think it’s surprising where we can cut back when we need to. Great post.
I love that you guys are getting so creative and resourceful; it’s really an inspiration!
I’m glad you brought up not wasting food because I think that’s one area where a lot of people just throw money away: eating too much, eating non-essential junk (that costs money but adds no nutritional value,) and throwing away leftovers… especially from restaurant meals. No one wants to be bothered with the “doggy bag” or tupperware, but both of these can save a ton of cash.
Thanks for the reminder!
Lisis
Hi Lisis,
As Alice said “money can’t buy you happiness but we do still need it.”
I am surviving on less money now as I work part time but I am finding smart ways to be less wasteful and make extra cash to cover my basic needs. I sell some of my second hand books on Amazon, I have won a few books in competitions and have sold some at car boot sales. I do a car boot sale with my neighbour every month or so to get rid of stuff i am not using which someone else could make good use of.
I do not throw away food like I used to. I watched a BBC programme the other day where they were saying that now more than ever we should be more conscious of how we shop for food and buy more frozen foods and ignore the sell by date because that is just a guide line. A woman wrote in and said she had some chicken fillets in the freezer which where 4 years old and she could cooked them, the food expert on the show said that was fine. We throw a lot of food away in this country.
When I go out to eat I never finsh my food and I feel embarassed to ask for a doggy bag but I know I shouldn’t.
Great second level, now on to the third level. I’m playing catch up.
So glad to see you on blogcatalog, I’ve written a review and added you to my friends and favourite list.
Take care
Hi, Michelle! It’s great to see you back here, and to have you along for the Inverted Pyramid of Needs series.
I totally agree that we have to rethink our wasteful ways, partly to make it through these tough times, but also because it’s the right thing to do. It’s astonishing when you think about how many resources we just waste, knowing that others desperately need them.
Thanks for your comment here, and for finding me on blog catalog. I need to spend a little more time in there to figure out how to get around and do things. I will be sure to recommend your blog as well.
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