I know it’s been quite some time since I have posted a new blog. I was initially trying to take time off so I could finish up my degree and I intended to start right back up. However, I wound up unemployed for a few months, which set me back a lot. The current economy is very frustrating for any job seeker. However, it is especially frustrating for a recent graduate with 10 years of substantial professional experience under her belt.
During my unemployment, I was stressed and overwhelmed with all of the mounting bills and attempting to budget the meager savings I had acquired. As a frugalosopher, I was better equipped to deal with the lack of income than many would be. However, it was still a difficult time. I am, once again, gainfully employed. During that time, though, I learned a few things that I would like to share. I will delve more into these topics in the weeks to follow, but I want to share the basics now.
1. Don’t ever ignore a bill. Regardless of whether or not you can pay the bill at the moment, don’t pretend as if it doesn’t exist if you do not have the money to pay it. By speaking to those to whom you owe money you are keeping them informed that you intend to make good on your debt and also making a great stride in keeping them from closing your account or sending you to collections. If you ignore it altogether, your account will likely be closed. Slow pay looks much better on your credit than an account closed by credit grantor.
2. When times are financially lean, you can save a lot on groceries. I typically do not exist on hamburger meat. We are a family who eats plenty of chicken and steak. However, when times get tough, the tough eat spaghetti. Once a week. It’s not forever, and a couple of months of cheaper meals never hurt anyone.
3. Selling items on eBay can help a lot. I usually donate my son’s outgrown clothing to Salvation Army. However, when I was strapped for cash I decided to post some on eBay. They sold! I would never have the time or inclination to do this otherwise but, in a pinch, the extra income certainly helped.
I will be posting more frequently in the weeks to come. By the way, big news! The book is slated to be released next month! Keep an eye on my blogs and I will keep you updated!
Have you experienced unemployment or another difficult financial time?
