The word survival evokes the idea of protecting our most basic needs. These needs are
• a place to rest our bones at night,
• health care,
• food on the table,
• transportation,
• clothing, and
• basic grooming necessities.

When the most basic needs are met, we experience a feeling of security, knowing that we are safe and taken care of.

How to ensure that your most basic needs are met:

1) Know Your Numbers

Women experience math anxiety more frequently than men, and tend to be reticent when it comes to stepping into a place of knowing their numbers. Just as you know the size of your bra, how much you weigh and your clothing sizes, you can get just as familiar with your financial numbers.

It’s important because it empowers you…even if the numbers are negative or scare you. Having clarity is a grounding experience. Clarity allows you to make better earning and spending decisions, too.

2) Your Financial Checklist

You need to know:

• money available to you in your checking account (check daily)
• debt balances, interest you are paying out on each card, required minimum payments (check monthly)
• money available in your bank savings (check weekly)
• balances in each of your investment accounts (check monthly)
• your credit score (check every 6 mo)

3) Be Your Own Prince Charming

Women have more of a tendency, than men, to want to be taken care of—to be financially rescued. Rescuers can take the form of a spouse, a friend, or a credit card. In addition to the biological considerations, I think our desire to be rescued may have its roots in stories we were told as children; Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, etc. We want “our Prince” to take care of us. Well, here’s the thing…placing our finances in the hands of another (while turning a blind eye to what’s really going on) isn’t the best way to care for yourself. I can share countless stories with you about Prince’s that have made poor decisions about money.

If you are not so sure how to be your own Prince Charming, take a basic class on finance at a community college. You can begin reading books that use language you can understand. You can shift your mindset and tell yourself you are the best person to take care of you!

4) Plan, Track and Analyze Your Cash Flow

This isn’t always fun, but it is a necessary thing to do! Reward yourself afterwards with some dark chocolate! FREE budget software is at your fingertips.
Check out this site that reviews current financial software. You can select what best fits your needs.

Remember this!

I want you to
• Plan, track and analyze, rather than
• Spend, track and analyze.

These are two different processes and the later will not exercise, nor develop, your very important planning muscle! What I’d like you to analyze is why you met your “plan” or why you didn’t. There is great information and insight here for you! You can see how emotions or stress affect your spending patterns.

5) Use Logic over Emotion

This is a tough one for many women. Men are comfortable using logic (left brain) before emotion (right brain) when it comes to making financial decisions. Women tend to make financial decisions based on emotion.

Let me give you an example. Let’s say it’s your friend’s 50th birthday party and she has asked a small circle of her dearest friends to take a short spa vacation with her. The cost is $700 per person. You were laid off three months ago. Do you go? Most women would say “yes” and go, the justification being that she is a dear friend. We may say to ourselves, “It’s only money,” or “I need a break too,” or “Friendship comes before money.” There is no right or wrong answer here. Just be aware of how many money decisions you make based on emotion rather than logic.

If you are in survival mode, it’s better to make your money decisions based on logic in order to provide for yourself! People will understand.

6) Use Debt Wisely

Personally, I don’t buy things if I have to use credit. I will find a work-around. So can you for most things. However, if you have to use credit, use a credit card rather than your home equity line of credit. The reason being, if you rack up debt on that home equity line, then are unable to pay the amount due, you risk losing your home. If you rack up debt on a credit card and are unable to pay the amount due, you risk a lowering your credit score but still have a place to sleep at night.

7) Barter or Trade Services

I know many women who trade services. My hair stylist cuts her auto mechanic’s hair and he gives her car an oil and lube. What services can you trade with another business to help get your needs and wants met?

8) Tap into Your Creativity

Most women I know can solve problems for others with a click of their finger! Now turn that problem solving back onto YOU! If money is tight right now, what are some ways you can still feel abundant? Can you think of ways to have fun without spending money? How can you decorate your home free of charge?

I LOVE honing my creativity skills! When I want something and I’ve decided to not use money to get it, the ideas that spring up amaze me.

Women are survivors in so many aspects of life. I encourage you to apply the many skills you’ve developed to your financial life!