Dog Paddle During Tough Times

If you follow Dave Ramsey, you know that 78% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck. So what happens when there is a pandemic and many people aren’t getting paid, there are fewer jobs available because restaurants and businesses are closed, you have kids at home because schools are suspended, and people are literally running around Costco to get toilet paper?

You dog paddle.

Keep your head above water, hold your stick, swim steadily forward, and don’t panic.

So what does that mean in practical terms?

1. Keep Your Head Above Water

   If you are struggling financially, do what you need to do to keep your head above water. Conserve cash. If you are in Baby Step 2, pay the minimum payments on your debt and save the rest. Keep the money separate and if you don’t end up using it, you can put it towards your debt after the crisis has past.
   

2. Take Care of the 4 Walls First

   Just as a dog takes care of her stick and makes sure to bring it carefully back to shore, you need to take care of your most important items first. These are food, shelter, clothing, utilities, and transportation.
   

3. Swim Steadily Forward

   To keep things moving along, get temporary work. Although it seems like everyone is working from home or not working, there are still companies that are hiring. My local Kroger is hiring stockers and Amazon and food delivery services are hiring drivers. Think about the industries that are doing well during this crisis and seek them out.

   Many of you are probably saying “Well that’s great Tracy, but my kids are home!” This calls for creativity. Maybe you and your spouse work different hours or you trade child care with a neighbor (of course keeping social distancing in mind).
   

4. Don’t Panic

   I know it is not easy to do, but panicking does not do any good…it does not make the outcome change. Make the best of the extra time with family. Be kind to each other. Everyone is struggling, whether it is emotionally because of being disconnected, or financially because of a job layoff. Try to make the best of it by spending extra time with your family, making food for a struggling neighbor, reading a book, taking up a new hobby, or getting that closet cleaned out that you have been putting off. We actually cleaned our house windows inside and out last weekend!

Ramsey Solutions posted a good article that I recommend you read. It is titled “Coronavirus: What to Do if You’re Out of Work”.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION. DON’T LOSE HOPE. THERE WILL BE AN END.

Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.