What can I do to make ends meet?

A QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

What can I do to make ends meet?

Money woes can leave you feeling completely deflated.

You may have lost your job. You may have made some bad financial decisions. Maybe you are battling with debt or are feeling overwhelmed by your cash flow running low during this crazy time.

Today I want to offer you some advice on how to make ends meet.

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PRACTICAL WEALTH PRINCIPLE:

You may be under severe financial pressure.

I want to encourage you to face your fears and to commit your current situation to God.

“Commit your work to the Lord and then your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)

It is easy to worry and get stressed out when you look at the unprecedented events that are wreaking havoc in our world at present. I want to challenge you not to get despondent at this time, but rather to look to God, and set up a strategy to make ends meet.

Do not give in! Do not give up! You can rise-up! You can get through this storm. Hang on in there!

It is time to lift your head. There is still hope. Put your hope in God!

So, let us consider a few solutions that you can possibly use to make ends meet…

1.) YOU NEED A BLUEPRINT/STRATEGIC PLAN

A plan is your road map. If you have a plan and the determination to follow through, you can accomplish your goals.

God never works without a plan.

God gave Moses the plan for the Tabernacle. He gave Gideon a plan to win the battle. He gave Noah a plan to build an ark. God gave Joshua a plan to conquer Jericho, and He gave Solomon a plan to build the temple.

In the same way you need a blueprint strategy to make ends meet.

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5)

I recently posted a message titled: What does God have to say about saving and investing? If you want to learn more about this topic,, click here to see.

2.) DO NOT FACE YOUR BATTLE ALONE. ASK GOD TO HELP YOU.

God wants you to bother him with your problems.

He is interested in every area of your life, including your finances.

Hold on, knowing that with God at your side you can not only face the storms, but you can overcome the crisis. God can make a way.

You can rest in God and rely on him to see you through.

Ask God to provide. Jesus even taught us to pray that God will give us our daily bread.

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He set me free from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

3.) KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR MONEY MANAGEMENT

When you are financially comfortable, it is easy to just spend and not worry too much about cash flow, but when you are in a tight spot it is vital that you keep a close eye on all expenses. You need to live within your means. Look for deals. Watch your spending.

You need to review your budget and cut out the non-essentials when cash flow is tight.

You need to cut all unnecessary expenses during the tough times. While it is important to cover your “basic-essentials”, it is wise to cut down on all the extras.

Batten down the hatches and get into survival mode. Once the storm passes you can always rebuild.  

Do your best to live the simple life. After all, the best things in life are free!

4.) CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS

If you have a cash reserve or money set aside in savings, you can always use these contingency funds to get you through difficult times.

You need to differentiate between your “needs” and your “wants”, between the “need to haves” and the “nice to haves”. It is very important to cut all unnecessary expenses during the tough times.

Don’t ignore your debts in hopes that they will just vanish. Face your fears. Speak to your creditors. Many banks will help you restructure a new repayment plan. You can possibly refinance your loans. So, speak to your bank.

You may even be able to get a “premium holiday” on some items, like your investment contributions.  

Can you cut costs by downscaling for a season? Maybe you can do without Netflix or your gym membership for a season. Maybe you can cut back on your entertainment. You could possibly move into a smaller home to reduce your rent or downgrade your car, thereby reducing not only your car repayment but also your insurance premium.

Can you consolidate your debts in order to reduce your expenses and improve your cashflow?  

Could you sell something in order to free up cash flow to get you through the tough season?

Are you able to use your skills and talents to possibly earn some extra money? Can you provide a solution to other peoples problems?

Get advice. Often when you are in a tight spot you will battle to think clearly. Sometimes ones perspective can be short-sighted when one is under financial pressure. So seek wise council.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

It is easy to stop dreaming when things are tough, but you need to keep your head up. You need to keep dreaming.

Don’t procrastinate.

Keep looking for opportunities.  Continue to look for work. Keep your eyes open.

Often it is darkest just before the dawn. Hold on. Don’t give up. The sun will shine again.

Ask God for help. Trust him for he will see you through.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true there is life and joy” (Proverbs 13:12)

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverb 29:18)

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.” (Psalm 37:3-5)

Hopefully, some of these practical tips can help you to make ends meet.

I know that:

• with God’s help,
• a little work and common sense, and
• with a basic plan and patience,

You can set up a strategy to make ends meet and even set yourself up for a fruitful financial future.

INTERESTING FACT:

Benjamin Franklin made a profound statement many years ago. He said “Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.”

If you can plug your spending leaks you can help to improve your cash flow.

POWER QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” —Willie Nelson

Be grateful.

Count your blessings and be thankful for everything you have. There are so many people who are worse off than you.

WHAT DOES GOD HAVE TO SAY:

“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16)

Do not be foolish. Be wise. Be cautious. Avoid danger.

And remember that you do not have to face your uncertain future alone.

“…And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

God saw that man was separated from Him, so He even sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for you and me on the cross, so that we can come into a relationship with Him.

You can start a walk with God, not because of what you do, but because of what Jesus did. This relationship ensures that you and I do not need to face life alone, and this relationship continues into eternity.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior?

If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.    

LET’S PRAY:

Dear Father, today I surrender my life along with my burdens into your hands. I ask you to help me. Please protect me and my family from this plague that is hitting the world. Today I put my life in your hands and thank you that you are My God, My place of safety, My protector, and My provider.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you came to bring me life and life more abundantly. I ask you to be by my Savior.

I thank you for the price you paid on the cross for me so that I can be set free and live under the shelter of your protection, not only during my temporary life on earth but right into eternity. Thank you for the joy and peace I can have in you. Lord I also ask you to heal our country and our world. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

CONCLUSION:

Do your best to set up a strategy to make ends meet, and then leave the rest up to God. May you know God’s direction, His peace, and His provision. Above all, keep looking up. The sun will shine again.

Did you find this post helpful? Let me know what helped you the most in the comments below!

God bless you.

If you found this blog post helpful and encouraging, please leave a like and drop us a comment. Join us by subscribing! We would greatly appreciate your input and support!