Facing hard times

For as long as I can recall, living in Jamaica has always been about facing tough times. Most of us have become quite adept at surviving difficult times. Some people are under greater pressure to survive - the unemployed, individuals with large families, pensioners, the elderly without family support, single parents, persons who are in debt and the list continues.

However, let me remind you of those survival tips taught to us by our parents and grandparents:

1. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. This is a basic principle. However tempting it may be, forget the expensive clothes, furniture and that expensive car. Forget the pressure and the influence of friends. Do not be in competition with anyone. When times are tough do not put yourself in debt.

2. No more debt. Observe the basic rule - don't spend more than you earn. If you do, you will be in deep trouble. It is time to start cutting. You are in serious trouble when you have to be using the credit card to buy food and pay your utilities. For those persons in debt, stop spending more.

3. Cut back. Cut now. Make that difficult decision now. Stop waiting for things to improve. Yes, we would all like to see things improve but that is not going to happen now. It may mean doing away with the car or scaling down at home.

I have seen many older persons do away with their cars and they have been able to better survive. An aunt of mine did so some years ago; she hardly travelled and when she did she either used public transport out of peak hours or hired a taxicab. For some people cutting back could mean moving into a smaller house or sharing with others. Recently, I have been having discussions with an older lady who plans to rent a house to accommodate four seniors. With four persons living together, they will be able to maintain a better standard of living.

4. Shop downtown. Many persons are rediscovering down town. A lady told me she purchased a bed and mattress for less than $10,000 last month. Check it out. You can get everything to buy downtown and everything is cheaper. The reduction in crime has made downtown a safer place. You can avoid the hustle and bustle by shopping earlier in the day.

5. Do garage sales. Garage sales are great. I remember when I was studying in the USA my friends introduced me to garage sales. We bought furniture, books and other items at garage sales. Garage sales are advertised every Saturday and Sundays in the paper. Many Jamaicans have negative attitudes towards hand-me-downs but many people in richer countries make purchases at garage sales in order to survive.

Send your feedback and comments. Please share with us any ideas you may have on surviving these tough times.

Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head, Section of Psychiatry, Dept. Of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, 977-1108; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.