Are you suffering from Financial Depression?
Unfortunately, many of us are experiencing the effects of financial depression.
Many past and current events are contributing factors to the financial situation in South Africa. And if you add corruption and more corruption within our Government and local Government structures., and add to that the constant load-shedding, and the rise of petrol it all spells a bleak outlook for most of us. I only see dark days ahead. I try to stay optimistic about the future and keep my fingers crossed that there will be light at the end of this dark period.
Like many others, I am now living off my credit card and bank overdraft, which is not good. And with more interest hikes and a petrol price increase to come, the cost of goods will get more expensive.
So, what can you do?
Well here are a few points to consider and hopefully they will help you as well.
- Only use the car when really needed. To work and to the store as required. I make only one trip to the store a week.
- Catch up with family and friends via message apps.
- Only buy the bare essentials.
- Stopped weekend entertainment and eating out etc.
- Stopped buying any clothing items for the family. Get clothes when really needed.
- Stopped buying luxury goods and treats for home. (This is hard for the kids.)
- Pay off your debt. If you are struggling to see the creditor and inquire about reducing your monthly payments for a while.
- If it does happen that something at home is needed that will be expensive see if the money can be saved to buy the item. Do not make extra debt.
- Get a side hustle easy to say right? See if you can start something on your own that will provide you with additional income.
The best way to tackle the above is to have a meeting with the immediate family and explain what is happening locally and internationally. And that things should get better.
Struggling to make ends meet financially can lead to depression. For men and women. If you are working for an employer who does not care for the workers, or offer any sort of support. And makes extra demands on workers to perform or work longer hours without extra monetary compensation leading to even more stress.
If you do feel that you might go or are depressed about your financial situation. You do not have to suffer alone. If you need someone to talk call a counsellor at Lifeline +27117152000
There is no shame or harm in admitting that you are suffering from depression be it over financial stress or any other matter. Talking to someone about the situation will shed light on the issue and might even provide you with a solution to your problem.
You do not have to deal with it alone.
Visit the Lifeline website for more information.
