Investing Through Hard Times
Shift Your Sights to Save

Recent sticker shock in the grocery aisles and at the pump has forced many to shun senseless spending. Feeling deprived, they wait for the economy to recover so that they can shop until they drop again with a clear conscience. However, pricey times can teach priceless lessons.

Modify Your Mindset
While it may feel like you have less to invest when times are tight, you may find less is more – if you have the right mindset. Begin building these saving-savvy habits in the hardest of times and they'll be that much easier to maintain after the economy perks up.

Redefine rich. If you feel poor when you walk through the mall or flip through a catalog, stop doing those things. Choose pastimes that make you feel intrinsically rich instead. Read a book to a child, enjoy a beautiful sunset with a friend, or take a walk and stop frequently to smell the roses.

Stay focused. The average American is blitzed with hundreds of advertising messages each day – not just in mainstream media but on buses, in sports arenas and even in schools. You can't always control whether you see these messages, but you can control whether you act upon them. Head off impulse buys by making a list of your best memories. At moments of weakness, consider how making that one impulse buy compares to the things that really matter to you. Chances are, the comparison will put things into perspective and you can walk away with your money still in your wallet.

Remember: Misery loves company. It may feel like you have it worse than everyone else, but do you really? Most people don't like airing their money worries, but in this economy it's a safe bet that everyone has at least one or two. You can keep your social circle intact through hard times by suggesting lower-cost ways of having fun. Host a game night with potluck snacks, and organize a rotating schedule for others to host at their homes.

Be the adult. Kids may not understand why you continually say no to their pushes for more gadgets and goodies – so try not to say no. Instead, give them options. Would they rather have $20 for the arcade now or an entire home video game system at birthday time? Better yet, encourage your children to save their own money.

Make trade-offs. Finding money to invest now means making choices – not giving up everything. Cable TV may be one of your largest bills, but if you watch it daily you may decide to keep it and skip going to the movies every weekend.

Getting What You Really Deserve
There's a world of difference between deprivation and delayed gratification. You may deserve a treat now, but will that treat limit your future or help fulfill it? Forgoing frills now can help fund a
fertile future.

A consultation with an investment professional Chaco CU can help you make the most of your newfound savings.

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