It’s a great feeling when things are going good. You have a great job, stable income, business is going well, you’re going on vacation, kids are growing, and your new puppy is finally listening to commands. Then there are moments where you think the world is running against you. After returning from my vacation, I came home to a hot house. My HVAC unit broke in the middle of the summer and had to get that fixed ASAP.  I had to buy a set of brand new tires for my car. I had to fix a toilet. And last but not least I got a sinus infection. When it rains it pours.

Have you experienced moments where you felt nothing was going your way? Especially when you have to commit financially to something you weren’t expecting, it may feel even worse. My recent episode cost me over $2000. Not what I wanted to spend after coming home from a vacation. How do you handle these moments? Here’s how I tackled mine.

Breathe

First, take a moment and breathe. Clear your mind. Take a moment to relax. You don’t want to make decisions while being emotional.

Prioritize

Tackle the things that need to be taken care of right away. I needed to get the HVAC fixed so I could get air conditioning working in this hot summer. I had to get the toilet fixed so that the family can use it. The tires came later because I was at least able to use our second car for the time being. Unless everything is a priority, spread out the priorities especially if they have a financial cost.

Use your emergency fund

If you don’t have an emergency fund start one. Emergency funds are meant to be used in needed situations. If you use your emergency fund, it’s critical you replenish it to use for the next emergency.

Make temporary lifestyle adjustments

You just spent a large amount of money unexpectedly. Make temporary lifestyle adjustments until you can recover. This could mean eating out less, not going out as much, shopping less, drinking and eating less, and more. You never know, these temporary lifestyle adjustments could become permanent and save you more in the long run.

When you feel like your back is against the wall, take a moment to assess yourself. Make sure you are calm and not emotional when you are making any decisions. Emotions can cause you to make the wrong decisions. Take the time to prioritize and make temporary lifestyle adjustments. There are controllable expenses you can take hold off to limit your spending. Sometimes, when it rains it pours. But don’t let that get in your way to financial independence. If you are interested in following my journey, email subscribe to get alerts of latest posts or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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