Stress is sometimes defined as; ‘the gap between how things are, and how you want them to be’

How much of our stress is self-created, self-inflicted?

How much energy is expended on things beyond our control?

Things happen; inflation or an interest rate spikes for example.

We wish these things weren’t so.

We hope the problem will go away, magically.

However, in our heart of hearts, we know that wishing & hoping aren’t strategies.

We know we need to step beyond the paralysis of wishing & hoping.

We must take action.

Whatever action we can.

Action lowers stress levels.

Last time I went through a major financial crisis, 2003-2008 essentially, I took an inventory of the material things in my life and worked out how much cash they could be converted into.

I sold all the DVD’s and CD’s – it was the end of that era anyways, this raised ~$500.00

I sold bicycles outgrown or unused, another ~$800.00

I sold my dirtbike, this hurt a lot.

Did I mention these were dark days!

My one special thing raised ~$6,000.00 though, it needed to go because real money was required during this time of real need.

I rounded up all the scrap metal in my garage, which being a car (parts) guy raised ~$450.00

I sold a BMW V12 engine set aside for a future rat-rod, another $2,000.00

I took action, some of it hurt, none of it was ever regretted.

It was necessary.

Interestingly, as I sold off a variety of things in 2008, my first year as a Broker, and I landed several funded mortgage files from buyers of various car parts, performance camshafts, winter tires, etc.

Craigslist was truly the killer-app in 2008. (I know what I said there)

Hidden Gold

These days though, we’re more likely to find gold in our monthly credit card statements.

When is the last time you reviewed that statement in detail?

How many subscriptions do you have that aren’t serving you on any level?

As tough as things got from time to time over the years, money was always the easy part. It didn’t feel easy at the time, but looking back now it feels that way. The current crisis in my own world is time.

Time

Not money.

Interestingly the solution seems to be a similar one, sell some stuff.

Recently I pulled my TV down and sold it, not for the money but to recover the time it stole from life.

I’d not had cable in 20 years – but had Netflix and Crave to cancel.

Want to stop eating ice cream and chips?

Don’t have them in the house.

Same applies to TV.

These are going to be tougher times for many, do what you need to do to get through them.

Stay sharp.

Stay fit.

Stay liquid.

DW